University Recognizes Top Teachers, Researchers for 2017-18

Bruin Notes

Professors from Portland Seminary and the school’s music and graduate counseling programs were honored this spring as recipients of the university’s annual faculty achievement awards for teaching and scholarship.

At the undergraduate level, music’s Danielle Warner and Brent Weaver were recognized as the top teacher and researcher, respectively, while at the graduate level counseling’s Beronica Salazar and Portland Seminary’s Nijay Gupta were presented with the corresponding awards.

Danielle Warner
Undergraduate Teacher of the Year

Warner is primarily responsible for conducting the school’s four choral groups, and this past year she also taught conducting, her self-confessed true passion. “The two loves of my life are people and music,” she says. “First and foremost is my love for students, who are hardworking, willing to serve others and open to anything. I also love teaching at a place where I have the ability to dream, explore exciting opportunities and collaborate with colleagues.”

Brent Weaver
Undergraduate Researcher of the Year

Weaver, who has been composing music for 45 years, was honored for his creative work. He has had his works performed worldwide and has written extensively for the school’s choirs, band and orchestra. In 2017, for George Fox’s 125th anniversary, he wrote a fanfare to mark the occasion. He says he enjoys being able to teach and do his creative work in the midst of community. “I chair a department that’s involved in honoring God through disciplined and joyful music making and serving a community of learners who honor the name of Christ.”

Beronica Salazar
Graduate Teacher of the Year

Salazar teaches in all four of the university’s graduate counseling programs. Walking alongside students on their educational journeys is what fuels her, she says. “I enjoy being able to aid in the forming of students into counselors/therapists, and more importantly helping them deepen or discover God’s love through the experiences and learning that happens through the course of their training.”

Nijay Gupta
Graduate Researcher of the Year

Gupta, a professor at the university’s Portland Seminary, has published six academic books in eight years, as well as two dozen articles, 12 book essays and dozens of journal reviews in recent years. “I love my seminary students, who inspire me with their love for Scripture, church ministry and spiritual formation,” he says. “George Fox has supported a culture of dreaming big and a pioneering spirit in education and research.”