Pacific University

A long-lost seasonal lake that was a center of life for Native Americans who lived in the Tualatin Valley two centuries ago is slowly regaining its form, thanks to the efforts of members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and volunteers from Pacific University.

Martha Cuevas-Ramos SLP '17, who is being awarded an Emerging Leader alumni award, knows the joy on a mother's face. She helps put it there.

Derek Brown '98, MAT '99, says leadership "was a powerful idea for me." His career as an educator, policy setter, officer and musician illustrates that.

Former U.S. Rep Les AuCoin (D-OR)’69, Hon. ’78, has turned over to Pacific University an extensive collection of papers documenting his life in public service. He responded by email to a set of questions from Pacific magazine’s Mike Francis about his choice to do so, issues of politics and the tenor of the political climate, as well as some personal reflections. 

The collected papers of Pacific alumnus and former U.S. Rep. Les AuCoin are now available to researchers, students and others at the Tran Library at Pacific University.

Faculty, students and alumni from the Pacific University School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training were recognized in August at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) House of Delegates held in Washington D.C. 

“I was able to leave Pacific being able to write very prolifically and be a good scientific writer,” said Parks. “And besides the research, Pacific really prepared for my graduate-level classes. Honestly, my graduate-level classes, I thought they were so easy. Pacific does a very good job of making sure the courses are rigorous.”

From preschool to becoming undergraduates, two students have grown up at Pacific University.

Communications Science and Disorders Professor Amanda Stead will be honored by the American Speech Language Hearing Association for her special contributions in higher education.

Following a grant from the Oregon National Space Grant Consortium, physics alumnus Huy Nguyen '21, along with Physics Professor Todd Duncan built a three-dimensional model showing the optimal orbit for spacecraft to "park" between the earth and moon. The model will be exhibited at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville.

Dr. Marvanova previously served as dean and professor of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana. Between July 2020 and September 2021, she also served as acting dean of the College of Health, overseeing five other accredited health profession schools.

In the June issue of Pacific magazine, we note the passage of 50 years since the enactment of Title IX, the civil rights amendment that sought to ensure that women are treated as if they are equal to men. Many things have changed in America and at Pacific University since then.