Readers Forum

We enjoyed your responses to our back-page “Tell us more” contest so much, we decided to share some of them.

>> The brawls for the Bruin bear were so memorable that one quick glance was all I needed to recognize the picture on the back of the most recent Journal. In fact, my wife recognized the picture and she didn’t even attend Fox, but she heard me talk about the legendary battles for the leather bear. Great fun! Thanks for the picture and the memories it brought with it.
Jerrie Lyda (’93)
NEWBERG, ORE.

>> I tried for four years to get that Bruin off campus and just couldn’t get it done. I had plenty of assists, and I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who worked harder and was more dedicated. Finally, at the last brawl of my senior year, I ran it off campus. I think I remember that even more than graduation so, of course, I took the Bruin across the stage with me to receive my diploma. I was announced as “Nathan Holmes, with Bruin Junior.”
Nathan Holmes (’04)
PORTSMOUTH, VA.

>> During my senior year, when I was dating the young lady who is now my wife, I kept Bruin under the seat in which she usually sat. She was a member of the sophomore class. When she finally found out what had been going on, it bothered her quite a bit to have been so close to Bruin Jr. and not know it. She forgave me eventually, and now we have celebrated more than 48 years of life together.

Thanks for the memories. Somehow, some of us would like to do it again. I don’t think we would come out so well, and the bruises and bumps would last longer. But the competitive spirit still lingers.
Earl Tycksen (’57)
NEWBERG, ORE.

>> I remember several upperclassmen absconded with a Plant Services “Gator” vehicle and proceeded to don hoods and shoes (nothing else). The “flash” was made by driving through the quad area and tossing the Bruin into the waiting throng. Problems occurred when the naked driver of the Gator took a sharp turn and one of the unsuspecting passengers standing in the rear bed of the vehicle tumbled out as the Gator continued on into the night. After scrambling to his feet, the hooded, dazed, and naked “flasher” didn’t know which route of escape was best. His ultimate departure route consisted of running in the direction of the fewest number of spectators, across the quad, hurdling hedges and kicking up turf as his white derriere faded into the darkness.
Ryan Evans (’03)
GRANTS PASS, ORE.

Survey results

Thank you to the 396 people who responded to the George Fox Journal e-mail survey. Readers tell us they enjoy the magazine – more than 80 percent of you read it regularly or always. You especially enjoy human-interest stories about George Fox students, alumni, professors, and employees. The highest-ranked (67 percent) subject of interest is “matters of faith.” Along these lines, your responses reflect the diversity of the readership we represent – some of you feel the magazine’s slant is too uncritically conservative, while some feel it skews too liberal. We appreciate your feedback and will do our best to incorporate your opinions as we seek to produce a magazine that connects you well with your alma mater, and reflects the university’s commitment to keep Jesus at the center of what we do. Valerie (Crooks) Jackson (’71) won the $100 Amazon gift certificate. Winners of the $25 Starbucks gift cards are Ben Longstroth (mDiv99); Michael Bigley (’83); Nancy (Banta) Morrison (’80), mother of junior Jessica Morrison; and Rhonda Evenden, mother of freshman Travis Evenden.

Tell us what you think

We'd like to hear your opinion about the George Fox Journal or any articles printed in the magazine.
Please send letters to:

Journal, George Fox University,
414 N. Meridian St. #6069
Newberg, OR 97132