Phil Zook Friesen, M.S.

Voyages Coordinator

phil@pacificu.edu

503-352-3080

I am the father of two fantastic boys that I love to go on adventures with.  I have a passion for teaching people outdoor leadership and helping students understand better who they are and how their strengths can be used to make this world a better place.  I get a kick out of challenging people beyond pre-conceived limits.  For example, I think it is awesome to see a student do a climb they never thought possible or run a rapid they were afraid of just a few months before.

Mikaila Way

Backpacking '09

I was fortunate enough to grow up having the wilderness out my front door and in my backyard, and because of this I love every aspect of being active outside, exploring new places and meeting new people. I grew up in the mountains outside of Denver, CO playing in the woods from sunrise to sunset, cross-country skiing since I could walk, backpack camping wherever possible, and hiking to summits. I also enjoy whitewater rafting, kayaking, biking and running. In addition to exploring the wilderness, I also love to play lacrosse and am on the Pacific Women’s Lacrosse team. I have many interests in school, currently I am looking to study Environmental Science with a focus in Biology and minoring in Sociology or Peace and Conflict Studies. I am involved with the environmental activist groups on campus and enjoy working at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club at Tom McCall Elementary School. I am grateful for the wonderful outdoor experiences I have shared with my family and friends and am thrilled to be a Voyage leader this year. I hope to share the incredible experience I had as a freshman, last year, with the new Voyagers this upcoming fall.

Anders Benson

Sea Kayaking '09

Hello and welcome to my little bio rectangle. I am currently a Junior undergraduate student majoring in Physics. I grew up in Seaside, Oregon where I had the pleasure of seeing the Pacific Ocean and Oregon coastline on a regular basis. Some of my favorite outdoor activities include: sea kayaking, surfing, hiking, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and camping. I especially enjoy sea kayaking on warm summer days and (if the conditions are just right) falling asleep to the distant sound of the ocean.

Terra Neilson

Sea Kayaking '09

The last four years I've lived in 4 different states of the Pacific northwest, have been fortunate enough to travel through 14 countries and have seen more gorgeous sights than my digits can count. Multiple times a week, I bake absurd amounts of cookies, it's fact. When I'm not baking, exploring, running, hiking, biking, playing in rivers, or being distracted by butterflies, I'm studying Sociology here at Pacific and hoping to someday teach the world a thing or two because it's always teaching me.

Joe Schroeder

Sea Kayaking '09

I am a senior majoring in biology. I grew up throughout Oregon but primarily Portland, which is where I have had my biggest influence in getting outdoors via clubs, organizations, and family. I have always been an active person participating in sports whether it be basketball, football, or golf, but have been self-bitten by the outdoor bug because of huge diversity in both the sports and environment in which you can play them. Currently I enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, mountaineering, hiking, whitewater and sea kayaking, and trail running. I think that one of the most wonderful things about participating in outdoor activities is the fact that I am able to enjoy the outdoors all year long throughout each season while continuously challenging myself and meeting great people.

Lindsay Olin

Whitewater Rafting '09

I am currently a sophomore at Pacific majoring in Modern Languages with a minor in Dance and Business. Hopefully that'll get done in the next three years... Besides Pacific's Outback, I'm involved in the Dance Ensemble and some various clubs on campus, I am a Boxer Ambassador, and I work at the Admissions Office and the Master of Fine Arts in Writing center. Obviously, I love being active and busy Other than all those things, I love spending time outdoors, dancing, traveling, skiing, camping, hiking, biking, swimming, dancing, reading, dancing, traveling, spending time outdoors, skiing. Did I mention dancing, skiing and spending time outdoors? Because I really do love those. I'm from Eagle, Colorado (near Vail, if anybody knows the ski resort...), so I've pretty much always been backpacking, hiking 14ers, rafting, and just generally playing outside in the dirt. I can't wait to meet you guys!

Leda Glastonbury

Backpacking '09

Hallo I'm Leda. Ahh life is lovely! I love vegetables and fruit and people and animals and la planeta and all that it offers. I grew up in Oregon and while having a strong desire to discover some of the beauty of the rest of the world I am also very content with where I live. Yay let us go explore the lovely northwest. Deciding what to get that good ol' major in is tricky because there is so dang much to learn about but as of now I'm sayin Sustainable Design and Spanish, we'll see. Of course I too love the out doors. I also get very very joyful when I smell smelly things such as fresh fruit and sharpened wood pencils, hanging with familia, thinking about the growing, preparing, eating, and digesting of produce, trying to enjoy listening to myself play the violin, many forms of art, biking, rollerblading, swimming, dancing, saving food from a sad and wasteful ending and playing. Happy day friends! I hope to get to know yall as we back pack about and chchchat.

Heather Ritenour

Backpacking '09

A love for knowledge and learning drew me to Pacific. I am entering my senior year as a biology major, literature minor with hopes of going into the health professions and making a difference! I have always loved sports and being outdoors and look forward to new adventures and experiences (I recently went to India which is where this pic was taken!). I love running, wakeboarding, tubing, swimming, snowboarding, hiking, reading, cooking, being around other people, and learning from those around me! I grew up in the northwest, know there is a lot of nature to explore, and look forward to continue doing so!

Collin Weigel

Backpacking '09

I'm a senior this year and am looking forward to leading the Backpacking Voyage. I'm an Economics and Business major and have lived in Oregon my whole life. I enjoy doing outdoor activities and usually am willing to try something new. When outdoors I enjoy goal setting. I've always set high expectations like "don't die" or "keep all limbs". Now I'm stretching beyond that to things like "return with 93% of the Voyagers"; after all, 93% is an A. I'm really excited to get to know some new students and help introduce you to Pacific.

Brad Haggstrom

Canoeing '09

I'm Brad and am a local of the Portland area. I am currently a senior majoring in Exercise Science. After graduation, I plan on continuing my education in Occupational Therapy. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, camping, and anything outdoors. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and 2 playful puppies.

Cristina Wilson

Canoeing '09

Hey! I am a sophomore from Astoria OR, majoring in psychology with a minor in exercise science. I have lived on the Oregon coast almost my whole life (I don’t really enjoy admitting I was born in Miami). Being a coastal child, I am not only used to rain, wind, hail, thunder, lightning, etcetera; I also actually enjoy it! As far as outdoor activities go, I enjoy most everything but favor paddling above all else. I love to kayak, and in the summers I push rubber with friends in Maupin, OR as well as work at a summer camp in Warrenton, OR as the Waterfront Director/Canoe and Swim Instructor. In addition to being a member of the Voyage team, I also play Basketball for Pacific, and am a member of Psi Chi and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. I am an avid Blazers fan, a vegetarian, and I love to experience new things, meet new people, and wear Birkenstocks with socks.

Becky Hattersley

Oregon Surf Adventure '09

Kai Seixas

Oregon Surf Adventure '09

I'm going to be a senior here at Pacific and an environmental studies major. I hail from L.A. but am enjoying Oregon and all it has to offer. I live for the outdoors specifically the beach and water. I've spent the last few summers lifeguarding and being a beach bum and now I've got the itch again. Sports also play a big role in my life, whether it be on the University swim team or running around by myself, it's another passion. Eating is very, very important to me so cooking is equally crucial. After spending three years at Pacific I hope I can answer any questions you guys may have about life here. In the end what's most important to me is just to have fun.

Molly Hahn-Floyd

Rock Climbing '09

I grew up in Colorado and plan on moving right back to the beautiful Rocky Mountains once college is over. I've been rock climbing since I could crawl and love every aspect of the sport. I'm an avid skiier and snowboarder once snow hits the ground and would love to live in an igloo. I also enjoy kayaking, biking, hiking, rafting, camping, snowshoeing and any other recreational activity under the sun. I've played all over the Western US from Yellowstone National Park to Joshua Tree, CA. I'm majoring in exercise science and business. Mexican food tastes better after a long day of rock climbing.

Maggie Schweitzer

Rock Climbing '09

I’m a junior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. I’m originally from all over Montana, I say all over because I moved around a lot for political and agricultural reasons. I grew up on a potato farm and cattle ranch, and was strangely good with a lasso. That was before I discovered that climbing ropes are way more fun. I started climbing my junior year in high school, but broke my leg the start of my senior year and didn’t start climbing again until college. More than climbing, though, I really enjoy water sports. Rafting, floating, canoeing, kayaking, tubing and water skiing are my ultimate summer pass time. To compensate for the lack of these activities, I snowboard in the winter. I really enjoy outdoor activities that give me an adrenaline rush, but also enjoy the slower pace of a good hike at dawn; and even slower yet, coffee shops and conversation are among my ultimate pastimes. In high school, I was voted Most Daring as a result of my adrenaline seeking lifestyle and Most Accident Prone as a result of the multiple injuries that seem to have accompanied it (but don’t fret, I seem to have brightened up at college.) I also received Most Outgoing, so I really look forward to meeting you! Have a Great senior summer, see you soon!

Ethan Woodis

Rock Climbing '09

Forrest Carpenter

Base Camp '09

Hey guys my name is Forrest and I am from Grants Pass and finished my first year at Pacific. I have yet to fully decide on my major but I am hoping to pursue something involving biology and the environment. I love the outdoors and everything it has to offer. I love to go kayaking, scuba diving, and skiing. I recently got my open water diver certification and have dove a few places but nowhere exotic, not yet! I grew up in southern Oregon and have had access to rivers, lakes, mountains, and the ocean my whole life. I have also involved myself in athletics my whole life whether it was basketball, football, tennis, track I participated in. I enjoy meeting new people and doing new and different things. I love just living and everything it has to offer. The opportunities are abundant and endless, and I mean to take advantage of all of them.

Alyssa Russo

Base Camp '09

Hi I'm Alyssa. I'm a transfer student to Pacific and in my 3rd year of college majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Math...I'm a nerd and fully admit to. I'm from Monterey/San Jose, California. I have been camping since birth basically and was a girl scout growing up (we definitely did more than just sell cookies, Thank you very much!). I have always enjoyed nature and mostly forests. That's what drew me to Oregon and I can't wait to explore this wilderness more.

Kiah Eilenfeldt

City of Portland Experience '09

Hello all! I just finished my first year at Pacific, however I am a transfer student from a school in Boston, so I am going into my fourth year of college. I grew up in Davis, California for most of my life. I am majoring in Education with a minor in coaching. I love to explore new places and am always on the move. I can’t sit still and love to be outside no matter what the weather is. I look forward to being able to explore Portland with you and find great new places that I didn’t know existed yet.

Marcel Bailey

Seattle by Train '09

Hello Voyagers! Though this is my first time being a part of the Voyage program I am kind of the old man of the group. I have just finished my fourth year at Pacific, and I am super excited to be a part of this adventure. I am a huge music guy, which is good since I am a Music Education Major. My time at Pacific has lead me into many firsts; whitewater rafting, ropes courses, sleeping on the beach, and standing in front of my peers pleading with them to learn a new dance I found on YouTube. I cannot wait to meet all of you and head out on an adventure together.

Becca Mijares

Seattle by Train '09

I am a transfer student at Pacific from Santa Clarita, California - just outside Los Angeles. I am scheduled to graduate in the Fall of 2010. My major is Exercise Science (with minors in Biology & Psychology). I have my Associate's of Science degree in Biology and I plan on attending Pacific's Physician's Assistant graduate program. I thoroughly enjoy the outdoors, although I am particularly fond of snowboarding, rafting, rock-climbing, and hiking. If you're wondering why I moved away from the sunshine, I'll tell you that a little bit of rain and clean air will make me appreciate the sunshine a whole lot more since its hot year-round where I'm from. But don't get me wrong, I still love the bright city lights and urban vibe of Portland. Oregon's got the best of both worlds. Right now I am attempting to expand my areas of expertise and tour some of Oregon's amazing regions. My favorite color is ORANGE!! I love the feeling of sand squishing between my toes and being sore from a long day of snowboarding, hiking, running, climbing or whatever!

Jenn Neal

Support Staff '09

I am going to be a junior at Pacific this fall and I am from Helena, Montana. My home is one of the great states that has very few rural areas. I can find a place to hike or swim within only a few minutes drive from my house. In a small town like mine, there isn't a lot to do, so I learned to take advantage of the resources I had. This got me very involved in art and writing which are still some of my favorite things to do, along with spending time outside. I recently decided on a major in history and a minor in creative writing. Water is one of the most irresistible things I have ever encountered (besides mud) and I can hardly bear to stay out of it. I thrive on the fresh air and short escape from the ever moving world. It is a place to find peace. I am a pretty level-headed girl, but I am pretty mellow and love to have a good laugh. Life is never unexciting for me. There are always new people to get to know and more adventures to be had, but only safely of course. And most importantly, I make a lot of funny noises at random times and you hopefully won't get too freaked out about them when it comes out of nowhere. It is merely another form of expressing myself.