News contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement
541-962-3585 | lhancock@eou.edu

Source contact: Cathy Trochlell
541-962-3076 | ctrochlell@eou.edu

January 14, 2013
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) ⎯ Students earning high school credentials have a new deadline to be aware of, and EOU’s testing center is poised to help them meet it.

GED test-takers have until December 2013 to complete the current exam. Once the deadline arrives, the test – and scores – will expire, which means those who haven’t finished must start over when the new GED exam is released Jan. 2, 2014.

“We’re ready to help as many individuals as possible complete their GED before the current test expires,” said Cathy Trochlell, continuing education coordinator at EOU.

Trochlell works closely with EOU’s testing center, which offers regular access for students completing the computer-based GED. Anyone who started with the paper-based test can complete it at Blue Mountain Community College.

In addition to connecting students with the appropriate testing location, Trochlell also recommends preparation resources, conducting tutorials on how to navigate the computer-based system, and often making referrals to the Online GED Academy offered through BMCC.

“If you’ve been thinking about getting your GED, now is the time to call me,” Trochlell said. “The new test will be more difficult and likely more expensive, so I want to help as many students as possible attain their credentials this calendar year.”

Financial assistance is available for Union County residents seeking GED completion through EOU’s testing center. Two local donations have provided testing scholarships for 15 students in need. The Oregon Employers Council of Union County funded 10 individual scholarships, and Soroptomist International of La Grande donated funds for five scholarships.

There is also limited funding to provide scholarships for students who want to participate in the BMCC GED Online Academy. These scholarships are funded by the Carole L. Smutz GED Scholarship fund. 

For more information contact Trochlell at 541-962-3076 or visit www.eou.edu/conted.

Contact: David Axelrod | Ars Poetica Lecture Series
541-962-3633 | daxelrod@eou.edu

Photo by Marie Balaban / George Venn

January 11, 2013
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) ⎯ George Venn, noted poet, writer, literary historian, editor, linguist and EOU emeritus professor, will read for the next Ars Poetica Lecture Series, Jan 29.

Venn will share selections from his book, “Keeping the Swarm,” at 7:30 p.m. in reference room at Pierce Library on the EOU campus. All are invited to attend. 

Copies of the author’s newest collection of personal essays about the Northwest will be available to purchase at the event and a book signing will also take place.

In addition to teaching creative writing at EOU, Venn advised the Ars Poetica Series and “Oregon East” magazine for 18 years, began the creative writing program, instigated the creation of the writing lab, began the English as a second language program and more. He is now retired and writes full time.

A Grande Ronde Valley resident of 42 years, Venn also served the community as chair of the Mt. Emily Food Co-op, leader of the Committee for Catherine Creek’s successful opposition to dams, member of the Folk Arts Advisory board and multiple others.

As a writer, Venn has been awarded the Pushcart Prize, the Andres Berger Award and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. He has been called “one of the foremost serious regionalists in the Northwest.”

“Keeping the Swarm”

“Keeping the Swarm” is a collection of 20 of Venn’s personal essays. They recount experiences from his life, ranging from being fired from his truck-driving job as a college kid, to his reminiscences of hearing the music of the Upper Skagit Indians for the first time.

Karen Spears Zacharias calls the book an “intimate, powerful portrait of community,” and venerates that Venn’s prose is “powerful, his narrative vulnerable.”

Nicholas O’Connell says the book is “absolutely brimming with the rich and vivid detail of a life lived close to the land of the Pacific Northwest.”

Some of Venn’s poetry is also interlaced within the essays.

Venn’s other publications include “Making the Magic Circle,” recognized by the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission as one of the 100 best Oregon books in two centuries. His most recent collection of Poetry “West of Paradise,” was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award.

News contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement
541-962-3585 | lhancock@eou.edu

Source contact: Peter Wordelman | Professor of Music
541-962-3352 | pwordelm@eou.edu

Click image for larger view.

January 4, 2013
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) ⎯ Relive (or discover) the music and moves of the 1980’s when the EOU music department and Chamber Choir team up to present “Totally 80’s Rewind” Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25-26.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday in McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall, with repeat performances at 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

Famous hits from Whitney Houston, The Bangles, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Pat Benatar, John Mellencamp – 35 numbers in all – take on fresh appeal with the choreography of EOU alumna Catherine Herrmann and the talent of students and faculty.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for EOU students and senior citizens. Groups of 10 or more pay just $6 per ticket. Purchase tickets in advance at Red Cross Drug Store, Sunflower Books, the EOU Bookstore and the Mountaineer Market at 1008 Adams Ave.

Event sponsors are Red Cross Drug Store, The Observer and Koza Family Dental. For more information contact Peter Wordelman, Chamber Choir director, at 541-962-3352 or e-mail pwordelm@eou.edu.