News

The following Warner Pacific College students from the Adult Degree Program have achieved a place on the Dean’s List for the 2017 Spring term.

In order to accomplish this students must be enrolled full-time (a minimum of 12 credits) and achieve a 3.5 or greater grade point average. Those who have an asterisk (*) before their name earned a 4.0 GPA.

Congratulations Knights on you academic accomplishment!

-Cristina Lopez Alonso ’19

The Warner Pacific College Social Work Program invites you to BEHIND THE STATISTICS: REAL STORIES OF SEX TRAFFICKING.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Warner Pacific College, 2219 SE 68th Avenue, Portland

Program Includes:

• Panel of experts who will share real stories of trafficking in the Rose City.
• Resource Fair to provide information about organizations and services in the community.
• Table discussions that offer engagement opportunities.

NO COST TO ATTEND, FREE PARKING
Donations for survivors are welcome. This would include items such as $5.00-10.00 gift cards for places like Walmart, Fred Meyer, and Walgreens or fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc.

In collaboration with Giving Connection: Community Support for Survivors of Child Sex Trafficking.

UPDATE: September 5, 2017 –

Regardless of today’s news, Warner Pacific continues to stand with DACA participants and their families. We will do everything within our power to support and protect students who have been directly impacted by this decision. Students who have questions, concerns, or fears are encouraged to reach out to the Counseling Center or Student Life staff so that the community can respond to your needs appropriately. I want you to know that the actions of a government cannot change the fact that you are deeply loved children of God and you are not alone.

Warner Pacific also calls on Congress to set aside party lines and come together to enact a permanent solution that will honor the dignity and experiences of those who were brought to this country as children and have worked to make it their home. As an institution, we support proposed legislation such as the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act and the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act. We urge lawmakers to take action quickly to ensure the safety of these young students and professionals. I encourage you to take a few moments and contact your congressional representatives and senators to share your support for enactment of a law that secures the future for DACA individuals.

August 31, 2017 – In response to growing concerns about the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Dr. Andrea Cook, President of Warner Pacific College, has issued a statement in support of upholding this vital resource for undocumented students in America.

“At Warner Pacific, our Christ-centered, diverse mission calls us to address the needs and disparities of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups in higher education. In Oregon, this must include students who have the dream and the drive to pursue a degree but are left with few options because they cannot obtain citizenship status due to decisions that were made beyond their control.

“Warner Pacific is committed to supporting undocumented students as they work to earn a degree that empowers them to use their God-given gifts to serve our community with confidence and assurance of safety. We fully support DACA because it creates an ethical pathway to opportunity for diverse, young leaders who will help our city and our nation flourish.”

Since 2012, DACA beneficiaries have been able to attend colleges and universities without fear of deportation, using their education to become scholars, business innovators, and leaders in the community. Warner Pacific stands with our partners in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), in welcoming undocumented students to our campuses.

“Many young people were brought to the U.S. as infants or young children by their parents who entered the country illegally. Undocumented through no fault or decision of their own, these young adults have limited ability to pursue an education. Many came out of the shadows and registered with the government under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which granted eligible recipients temporary permission to stay in the U.S. and obtain work permits.

“If the government decides to let DACA expire and roundup affected persons for deportation, the costs are estimated to be up to $60 billion in government expenditures and an additional $280 billion in reduced economic growth. We support extending DACA policy, at least as a temporary step, so that these students can have greater opportunity to contribute to the country they consider home.”   -CCCU

In November 2016, President Andrea Cook joined more than 600 college and university presidents from public and private institutions across the United States to sign a statement urging business, civic, religious, and non-profit leaders to support DACA and undocumented immigrant students.

The first day of classes is always exciting at Warner Pacific but this year is extra special as we look to the sky to experience a “once in a lifetime” event,  the 2017 Solar Eclipse! On Monday, August 21, students, staff, and faculty will gather from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. to follow the sun on this momentous morning with a schedule that will celebrate and educate, but not cause too much interruption to classes.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. All students and faculty are expected to attend their regularly scheduled classes on the first day, August 21. All classes will be held as usual and campuses will be open; staff are invited to participate in the viewing with students and faculty.
2. From 9:30 -10:30 a.m., students, faculty, and staff are welcome to gather on the lawn and watch the sky darken. Dr. David Terrell, Professor of Physical Science, will provide context for what we are seeing and information about the phenomenon that we are witnessing.
3. Streaming televised coverage will be available in McGuire Auditorium for those who wish to see how the eclipse is being seen across the country. Resource information is also available in the library and you can learn more through the Oregon Observatory.
4. Commemorative Warner Pacific eclipse glasses will be available for $1.

In order to accommodate this viewing, the class schedule for August 21, 2017 will be as follows:

• 8:00-8:50 classes meet 8:00-8:40 a.m.
• 9:00-9:50 classes meet 8:50-9:30 a.m.
• Break for eclipse coverage 9:30-10:30 a.m.
• 10:00-10:50 classes meet 10:30-11:10 a.m.
• 11:00-11:50 classes meet 11:20 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• 12:00-12:50 classes meet 12:10-12:50 p.m.
• 1:00-2:15 p.m. classes meet as scheduled

The Warner Pacific College Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work degree (BSSW) has been granted accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This is an exciting and important step for the Social Work Program, which achieved candidacy status in August 2014 under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Mace, Professor Debra Penkin, and Pamela Harrington.

Although optional, CSWE accreditation is a widely respected “stamp of approval” that communicates to students and future employers that the program meets the rigorous standards, policies, procedures, and behaviors outlined by the CSWE. Warner Pacific is one of only 6 accredited baccalaureate programs in the state of Oregon.

“The Warner Pacific College administration and faculty are very thankful and proud of all partners that have contributed to the accomplishment of the accreditation of the Social Work Program, including students, staff, faculty, alumni, field agency staff, and volunteer advisory members,” said Dr. Stephanie Mace, Assistant Professor and Director of Social Work at Warner Pacific. “It is an honor to receive CSWE accreditation and marks a great milestone in the growth and development of our program. We celebrate this exciting time and are looking forward to the opportunities it will provide our students, graduates, and the community we serve.”

The CSWE accreditation will allow Warner Pacific to:

• Continue to build the strong reputation of the College in excellence of programming
• Be positioned to competitively and nationally attract students who are interested in social work as a major and are looking for an accredited program
• Potentially participate in federally-funded programs such as the Title IV-E Child Welfare initiative and other grants
• Increase internship opportunities
• Develop opportunities for collaboration with other CSWE-accredited programs

Warner Pacific offers a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work (BSSW). The social work curriculum is intentionally designed to build upon the liberal arts core and multi-disciplinary foundational courses, providing students with a strong framework for generalist social work practice or graduate studies.

Warner Pacific is pleased to welcome Dr. Courage Mudzongo to the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences as Assistant Professor of Psychology.

Originally from Harare, Zimbabwe, Dr. Mudzongo imagined a career at an international development agency but while attending college, he discovered that he was truly a sociologist at heart. Dr. Mudzongo’s research seeks to expand scholarship on adolescent reproductive health, goal setting, and helping young people take steps to achieve their dreams by preventing pregnancy and disease. In 2013, he had a unique opportunity to do research on the impact of faith-based mission trips on the lives of the people who participated in them.

“It is my desire as an educator that students use their knowledge to improve the human condition,” explains Mudzongo. “My approach is to empower students to share and articulate their thoughts and ideas. I teach students to master the art of learning and develop the confidence to ask and discuss questions about human development across the lifespan.”

Dr. Mudzongo holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Science and a M.S. in Sociology from North Dakota State University; and a Bachelor of Social Sciences from Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe.

Professional affiliations include:

• Society for Research on Adolescence
• The Society for Research in Child Development
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Research and publications include:

• Secor-Turner, M., Randall, B. A., Mudzongo, C. C. & Garama, M. (2014). Barriers and facilitators of adolescent health in rural Kenya. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, doi: 1043659614558453.
• Mudzongo C. C. & Whitsel, C. (2013). Determinants of child labor in Malawi and Tanzania, Journal of Community Positive Practices, (3), 3-24.
• Mudzongo C. C. Understanding Child Work and Child Labor in the 21st Century: Case Study of Malawi and Tanzania. ProQuest.

Merlin Radke passed away on February 17, 2017, leaving Warner Pacific an estate bequest that could be the largest single gift in the College’s history, with cash and property totaling at least $4 million.

Merlin was born in Baker City, Ore., on November 5, 1931 to Julius and Letha Radke. He attended George and James John Schools, Roosevelt High School, and Vanport College. Merlin became Vice President of the family business, Radke Auto Parts, when he returned home from the Air Force in 1957. He was responsible for adding the line of high performance products at the store, becoming the premier hot rod parts dealer, creating Radke’s Speed and Kustom. As president of the company, Merlin built upon the already successful family business of Radke Auto Parts, making the Radke name an icon in the St. Johns community of Portland and throughout the region.

The College is still processing the full scope of the gift, which includes cash, real estate contracts, and several pieces of property in the Portland area. While no definitive plans have been made at this time, Merlin Radke’s generous gift will be used as he intended, to strengthen the future growth of Warner Pacific and support our students as they dream, achieve, and flourish.

The Knights’ Head Athletic Trainer is taking her expertise to the classroom this fall. Amy Engilis has spent nine years providing injury evaluation, prevention, and rehabilitation for the athletes on the College’s 13 athletic teams. In August, Engilis will join the faculty as Associate Professor of Sports Medicine for the newly developed B.S. in Sports Medicine.

With openings in the Sports Medicine and athletic training fields predicted to increase 21% over the next 10 years, this new program has the potential to open the door to exciting careers for students who have a passion for health and wellness. Majoring in Sports Medicine can be the first step in many career paths including athletic trainer, physical therapist, exercise physiologist, and physician.

Professor Engilis completed her bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University and has a master’s degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State University. She was recently published in Athletic Training and Sports Health Care. The article highlighted research using easy pre-season jump tests on NAIA female athletes and found those with previous ACL reconstructions jumped significantly shorter distances. This has future implications for finding these at-risk athletes and focusing their strengthening and conditioning to address deficits and lower injury risk.

MÜV Fitness Brands has donated nearly $100,000 in exercise equipment to the College, providing a significant
upgrade to the Mt. Tabor campus Recreation and Fitness Center.

Students and employees alike are already taking advantage of the donation as they enjoy the gift of commercial quality treadmills (6); rowers (6); stair mills (3); air bikes (6); a cable weight machine; yoga mats; and other assorted equipment during their workouts.

Warner Pacific alumnus Joel Tallman ’84, is the CEO and President of MÜV Fitness Brands.