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A note from the president
-Dave Brandt
How we see something and how we talk about things depends on our perspective. How many misunderstandings could be avoided if we understood, and cared about, the other person's perspective? I'm pleased that our Office of Parent Relations has chosen to call this e-newsletter, Perspectives. It is important for us to share with parents our perspective and we want to hear where you are "coming from." An honest attempt to hear each other will result in a better education and a more enjoyable experience for George Fox University students.
"Authentic Life - Live It" is the theme chosen by students for this new academic year. Conversations with George Fox students often are about "being real" rather than "fake" or "phony." This generation of students is able to handle negative news if they know the news is accurate. They can deal with people who level with them and are trustworthy. So, I'm not surprised they choose a theme for 2004-2005 encouraging authenticity.
Authenticity seems to be in short supply in our culture today. After all, who believes what ads tell us or who actually believes a politician? It's not uncommon to wonder what speakers really mean or even whether our friends have hidden motives. Can the various news media be trusted? My dictionary suggests that "authentic" means to "conform to fact or reality; to be trustworthy." Synonyms are words like genuine and bona fide.
Our theme for this new academic year is to live authentically - to be real, genuine, and trustworthy. One of the George Fox community values is to "pursue integrity over image." All institutions present an image - how others perceive George Fox University. Our goal is to be honest, real, and authentic in how we present ourselves to others. Even more importantly we attempt to create a community that deals with itself authentically. I believe that we are fortunate to have students who help us be an authentic place. Students who live in residence halls live closely enough to need to be real with house-mates. Students who join in Bible study and prayer groups learn to share on a personal, genuine level that leads to authenticity.
My commitment is that our theme for 2004-2005 will always be more than a slogan. We must live authentically in this place of higher learning for the sake of God's Kingdom.
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