The Student Collective Volume VIII Online

Story portraits Angel Glocking Story portraits Breeauna O’Rear
It’s difficult to sum up what I’ve discovered during my time at Fox because of the
transformative nature of my experience as a student and now as a professional. I think
one point that I could touch on would be the wealth of community.
During my time as a student, I often found myself needing to rely on others because
of difficult circumstances. As a first generation college student who was financially
independent from my family, I faced additional stress and uncertainty as I navigated
my four years in undergrad. However, what I discovered at Fox was a community of
people who came around me and beside me, and would not let me fall. I discovered
mentors who listened, shared wisdom, and prayed with me. I discovered staff who
made it their mission to ensure that I received every bit of support they could muster,
and who believed that I was capable. I discovered friends who made me better,
challenged my thinking, and encouraged me to grow.
One person, specifically, who magnified my experience at George Fox was Dr. Steve
Winterberg, my international studies professor. Throughout my time as a student, he
invited me into challenging academic spaces and engaged with me on a personal level.
Two especially impactful things come to mind. First, during our advising
sessions, Steve always made a point to pray with his students and bless
their upcoming year. The way that he intertwined academic growth
and spiritual growth was distinctly graceful. Second, was his
belief in me. Steve knew that I eventually wanted to continue
onto graduate school and eventually gain a doctoral degree.
At some point my sophomore year, I greeted him as “Dr.
Winterberg” as I passed him on the quad and he greeted me
back as “Dr. Glockling”. This exchange soon became our
norm and an inside joke, but also encouraged me because
I knew that he believed I would get there someday.
The Biology Department here at Fox is a place that has allowed me to be known
on campus. I have been able to ask professors questions about both science and
faith. When professors check in about life outside of the classroom it helps me stay
motivated in my goals and passions.
Another place I feel known is on the Track & Field team. My coaches and
teammates have always built me up and allowed me to express the better parts of
who I am, helping to strengthen my faith and character. It is such a strong source
of community in my life! This leads me into answering who has magnified my
time here at Fox. My roommate Ellie, my genetics professor Matt Stump, close
teammates and coaches have helped make my time at Fox worthwhile. These people
combine to make an extremely important piece of my life and I am so grateful to
have their shining lights surrounding me.
My go-to coffee drink here in Newberg is a blended, dirty, spiced
chai (especially good from Sip City)! A few fun places in the
Newberg area are the Alpacas of Oregon, the hills up
near Bald Peak, Critter Cabana, and Chapters!
Sunsets from the big slide park and Dos Mundos tacos!
Sunsets front the big slide park and Dos Mundos are just
a couple of my favorite things in Newberg.
Black drip coffee is my forever go-to drink :)
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