McMINNVILLE – Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom,” will present the keynote address at the Linfield College opening convocation Friday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m. in the Ted Wilson Gymnasium at Linfield.

Convocation is the traditional ceremony that celebrates the beginning of the new academic year.  Faculty dress in academic regalia and new faculty members are introduced to the Linfield community. Classes at Linfield will begin Monday, Aug. 29.

Haidt’s presentation will reflect themes related to the summer common read, “Hector and the Search for Happiness” by Francois Lelord. The novel, a whimsical quest to understand what makes people happy, is narrated by Hector, a young psychiatrist whose patients, although often well off, are not satisfied with life. Determined to discover a deeper understanding of what people need or want, Hector sets out on globe-trotting journey in search of the secret to happiness. The book was the summer common reading project for all incoming students and will serve as a centerpiece for discussions and special programs throughout fall semester for Freshman Colloquium and other classes.

Haidt is a social psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Virginia. His research examines the emotional basis of morality and the ways that morality varies across cultures, including the cultures of liberals and conservatives. Haidt is also an expert on positive psychology (the scientific study of human flourishing) and studies positive emotions such as moral elevation, admiration and awe. He has been active in the positive psychology movement since 1999, and in 2001 he was awarded the Templeton Prize in Positive Psychology. He has received four awards for his teaching, including the 2004 Outstanding Faculty Award conferred by the Governor of the State of Virginia, Mark Warner. Haidt is also the author of “The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion” and “Flourishing.”

Haidt has appeared on The Today Show, participated in a panel discussion with the Dalai Lama and has lectured at the TED conference. The Times of London review of “The Happiness Hypothesis” found it “riveting . . . most humane, witty and comforting . . . brilliantly synthesizing ancient cultural insights with modern psychology.”   Haidt received a B.A. from Yale University, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 503-883-2202.

McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Linfield College was named one of the nation’s “Top Colleges” by Forbes. Four Oregon schools, including Linfield, were included in the top 200 undergraduate institutions.

Linfield College also placed 167 among private U.S. colleges, and was highly ranked on quality of teaching and student satisfaction. The school offers small classes with caring professors, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.

Schools were ranked as well on prestigious awards and scholarships. Linfield is one of the country’s top producers of Fulbright scholars and one of only 16 schools nationwide affiliated with the prestigious Kemper Scholarship Program.

Other criteria included post-graduate success, debt load and default rates, and four-year graduation rates. The rankings of more than 600 schools with Carnegie classifications were prepared for Forbes by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity in Washington, D.C.

Linfield is recognized for its liberal arts and sciences curriculum along with its professional programs, with The Princeton Review and US News & World Report naming Linfield one of the top five liberal arts schools in Oregon and Washington. This year the small college has drawn students from 29 states and 24 countries.

Read more about America’s Top Colleges and Forbes’ rankings for Linfield.

PHOTOS

MORE ABOUT LINFIELD COLLEGE

Half of Linfield graduates have studied outside the U.S., with the school in 21st place in the nation for participation in study abroad programs.

Linfield has a strong commitment to social responsibility and has been nationally recognized for sustainability initiatives, student outreach to disadvantaged youth and the homeless, and support of low-income, first-generation college students.

The college offers 47 majors and enrolls more than 2,600 students through three programs: a residential liberal arts and sciences program on the McMinnville campus, nursing and health science programs in Portland, and the Adult Degree Program, which supports students at eight Oregon sites and serves a virtual learning community across the globe. Established in 1858, Linfield helped pioneer higher education in the Pacific Northwest.

The Power of a Small College

July -

Tim Ciulla
Ticor Title & Escrow Oregon
829 NE Hwy 99W
McMinnville, OR 97128
503.472.6101

Tim Ciulla started in reception and shortly moved into running the Customer Service Department picking up other duties along the way. In addition, he was a locator for 1 year, running out and posting legal descriptions. During that time he helped out in Title, running a basic title report search for loans. He assisted escrow helping with order entry, sending open letters ordering payoffs and answering client questions until he moved into his current full time Sales Representative Position. For more than a century, Ticor Title has been a premier leader in the title insurance industry. Providing their customers with an unmatched combination of professional expertise, exemplary customer service and rock-solid security is the foundation of their business. Not only does he work at Ticor but he chairs the Yamhill County Association of Realtors Charity Auction which has raised over $270K, volunteers with the Mayor’s Charity Ball and the Newberg Chamber Golf Tournament. All employees of Ticor Title McMinnville are stock holders in the company.

Thank you Tim for your continued services to this community and to the Chamber Ambassador Team!

August -

Arlen Pounds
Duckett Realty, Inc.
819 N. Hwy 99W
McMinnville, OR 97128
503.883.3733

Duckett Realty is the area’s oldest real estate brokerage under the same ownership and we’re intent on keeping at it until we get it right! Truly, we’ve assembled a strong and knowledgeable team of professionals that have a vast experience in virtually every possible type of real estate transaction. As a graduate of McMinnville High School, Northwest Christian College and University of Oregon Arlen enjoys people and property. He loves the diversity of his business and his next project may include an in-park manufactured home, vineyard land, investment property, a beautiful custom home, or anything in between. Call him if you have questions on residential or commercial property, or would like to rent one of the suites available in their office on 99W. He also shares that the Chamber has been a major factor in growing his business, primarily due to Friday morning Greeters. He says, “If you feel a need for more networking please join us at Greeters.”

Thank you Arlen for your continued services to this community and to the Chamber Ambassador Team!

Citizens Bank is pleased to announce Kyle Faulk as assistant vice president and commercial loan officer at the McMinnville Office. Kyle earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Masters of Business Administration from Portland State University. After graduation, Kyle began his banking career at Columbia River Bank as Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer.  Most recently Kyle held the same position at Columbia State Bank.

Kyle has been involved in the McMinnville community as the Secretary of the McMinnville Lions Club, is involved in the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce and participates with Junior Achievement.

You can contact Kyle at 503-474-9441 or at kfaulk@citizensEbank.com.

Citizens Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Bancorp, is a full service community Bank, (chartered in 1957), with offices in Corvallis, Albany, Philomath, Junction City, Springfield, Harrisburg, McMinnville, Dallas, Lebanon, Silverton and Oregon City.  Member FDIC.

Ron Miller brings digital marketing expertise

MCMINNVILLE, OR: Ron Miller has joined the Creative Company team as the Director of Digital Marketing, bringing with him more than 22 years of marketing, graphics and digital communication experience. A skilled online strategist and developer, Miller will incorporate Creative Company’s brand optimization process into the growing area of online, mobile and digital marketing technologies.

“Creative Company has been on my radar ever since a classmate of mine interned with the company in the 1980s,” admitted Miller. “I’ve always admired the work of Creative Company and have thought that some of the most creative work in Oregon is being done here. I am excited to add my spark to the business.”

With his bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Oregon State University, Miller has held a variety of marketing management positions throughout his professional career; his most recent at Freelin-Wade Co. In five years with Freelin-Wade, Miller rebuilt their branding, developed a host of new publications and crafted an online presence that leads the industry.

Miller’s previous experience includes work with Weyerhaeuser Company and RR Donnelley, where he managed the marketing communications for a billion dollar business unit. His white paper outlining the impact the Internet would have on print started the company down a path to develop Mapquest, as well as e-commerce engines for several retailers and the first online Yellow Pages directory.

Miller also volunteers in the McMinnville community for McMinnville Relay for Life and the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce and contributes his graphic design skills to nonprofits including Juliette’s House and the McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity.

Miller’s digital marketing expertise will help clients expand their brand online through optimizing websites; executing social media campaigns; managing online campaigns; monitoring analytics and implementing mobile marketing tactics where appropriate. His unique leadership and management experience will be an asset for Creative Company’s growing scope of marketing and branding services.

“This is a new position for the company,” said Creative Company president and founder Jennifer Larsen Morrow. “In the last ten years the methodologies and platforms being used for reaching target audiences has shifted dramatically. The majority of searching for information, products and services is now done online or on mobile platforms. It’s essential we support our clients with the right strategies and programs that will accelerate their visibility, optimize their brand and generate response in the digital world we all live in.”

About Creative Company

Established in 1978, Creative Company has worked with clients in manufacturing, health care, education, food products, financial services and telecommunications to provide effective, long-term brand programs.

Our five-point brand optimization method achieves a higher return on every marketing investment by focusing on the point of choice—the point where your audience takes action.

Creative Company is the industry leader in brand optimization from the point of choice.

Web:                creativeco.com

Blog:                optimizemybrand.com

Facebook:        facebook.com/creativeco

Twitter:            OptimizeMyBrand

Slideshare:      slideshare.net/OptimizeMyBrand