“GFU Everything” Showcases Students Outside the Classroom

Reported By: Sam Erickson

Photographed By: Kelly North

The “Be Known” promise encapsulates a lot at George Fox University (GFU), from conversations in a dorm lobby to discussions with teachers about life goals. “Be Known” begins to mean so much more, though, when it’s taken outside the context of student or resident. 

That is the mission of the GFU Everything podcast, started by roommates CJ Hollis and Sean Rubesh living in Edwards Hall. They try to uncover what people–particularly artists–are like outside of GFU.

“There are a lot of artists out here on campus and we want to get to know them better and see who they are outside of being a student,” said Hollis and Rubesh over an Instagram direct message. 

The hosts felt that the podcast was God-led, and that it could have a real impact on students.  “I feel like it’s a good part of also showing the Be Known promise,” said Hollis and Rubesh.

The goal of the podcast is still growing, changing, and shifting as they find its demographic, however, it is clear that the overall goal is to speak to students in a way that emphasizes how God has made them unique. The podcast, while seeking to separate students from school, highlights exactly what GFU looks to achieve in the Be Known promise.

The podcast, featuring art students, kicked-off after the recent cancellation of the new art annex. While this was coincidental, it points to a recent trend at GFU. The art history club and other student-led experiences continue to showcase the importance of art to GFU, in spite of the school’s shift  in priorities to professional degree programs .

“We are striving to post a podcast at least every Monday,” said the hosts. They mentioned that they also want to post “Monday motivations” to help students start the week out right, as well as daily devotionals with verses that are resonating with the hosts.

The hosts are excited about the potential of the podcast, and “to see all the connections that could be made out of this that could also spark more art.”