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

January 18, 2013

Photos by Laura Hancock / Chamber Choir members Lindsay Martin and Danny Bailey, foreground, strike a pose during rehearsal for “Totally 80′s Rewind” opening Jan. 25-26 in McKenzie Theatre.

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – Bringing fresh sounds and new moves to chart-topping songs is a signature of the EOU music department and Chamber Choir, and their next concert aims to encapsulate one of music’s most revolutionary decades: the 1980s.

Students in Professor Peter Wordelman’s seminar class began an investigation last spring into billboard hits of the era, and the culmination of their project will play out on stage in “Totally 80’s Rewind” opening Jan. 25-26.

The show makes its public debut at 7:30 p.m. Friday in McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall and promises to be fast-paced, fun and amusing. Repeat performances are at 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

A third performance at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 is reserved for current EOU students. Students with ID can obtain a free ticket through the Eastern Student Entertainment Office in the Hoke Union Building, Room 313, the Arts and Sciences Office in Loso Hall, Room 154. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

The architects behind “Totally 80′s Rewind” from left, Holly Sorensen, Jonathan Davidson, Lindsay Martin, Mike Kellison and Luke Basile.

Four current music students and a recent graduate are the architects of the show – both behind the scenes and on stage. Hip-hop, blue collar, metal, country and pop/rock favorites are among 35 selections performed with full choreography.

“We went on a mission to dig through music to find the textures we wanted in the show and what would also play to the choir’s strengths,” said class member Holly Sorensen, a senior.

“The 80’s were a pretty revolutionary time for music when it branched out into all different genres. Country, new wave, ‘butt rock’ and musicals were becoming popular. We even brought in a performance of ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ for a bit of humor!” she added.

Working together, the class built the concert program from the ground up – even arranging several pieces on their own.

“It’s been challenging, due to so many genres that emerged during this time,” said Luke Basile, fellow EOU senior.

Michael Jackson is his favorite 80’s artist, but Basile is arranging a rendition of “True Colors” made famous by Cyndi Lauper in 1986, and he is excited to hear it performed.

For Lindsay Martin, a junior, the project expanded her musical repertoire to genres beyond the rock songs of Journey and Boston – bands her parents listen to.

“It’s good to be exposed to other sides of the 80’s,” she said. “Country, for example, had more harmony and a blue-grassy feel.”

By contrast, EOU senior Mike Kellison grew up in the 80’s and was able to bring a different perspective to the class.

“I’m a fan of 80’s electronica and a few of these songs made it into the program,” he said.

Kellison and Basile both play bass and guitar and are performing with a large ensemble accompanying the choir, which Sorensen and Martin are also members of. The all student and faculty “house band” also includes two pianists, a percussionist, a trumpeter, two trombonists and a violinist. 

EOU alumnus Jonathan Davidson is returning to help his former classmates with final planning for the concert, and said the project strengthened his music IQ.

“I really enjoyed researching the top 100 hits and seeing which songs I knew and didn’t know,” Davidson said.

Click image to view poster.

Adding to the diversity of the show is original choreography by Catherine Herrmann, who attended EOU and went on to earn a degree in dance performance from the University of Georgia-Athens.

Herrmann is rehearsing with the Chamber Choir as a whole, and a smaller group of advanced dancers who will perform on select numbers. The program also includes four complete costume changes. 

Tickets to “Totally 80’s Rewind” are $8 for adults and $7 for EOU students and senior citizens. Groups of 10 or more pay $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.

Red Cross Drug Store, The Observer and Koza Family Dental are the event sponsors. For more information contact Professor Wordelman at 541-962-3352 or e-mail pwordelm@eou.edu.

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
541-962-3740 | lhancock@eou.edu 

January 8, 2013
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) ⎯ Kelly Rice, Ph.D., assistant professor of physical activity and health at EOU, shares her study on activity levels of children for the colloquium this Thursday, Jan. 10.

Rice measured the physical activity levels of 114 children, age two to five, attending Family Child Care Homes in seven western Oregon counties. Her results suggest preschool-age children in these homes are accumulating relatively small amounts of activity and are mostly sedentary during the child-care day.

Rice will provide additional information on the study and discuss possible interventions to increase physical activity in this population.

The colloquium begins at 4 p.m. in Ackerman Hall, Room 210 and is free and open to the public. A reception with question and answer session with Rice will follow.

A list of related resources provided by EOU’s Pierce Library is available for more in-depth information on this topic. Visit library.eou.edu/colloquium. To be added to the colloquium mailing list call 541-962-3508.

Contact: University Advancement
541-962-3740 | ua@eou.edu

January 7, 2013
Updated at 11 a.m.
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – Although more winter weather has arrived in the region, Eastern Oregon University’s main campus is currently open for classes and business.

For status updates call the EOU information line at 541-962-3844. The latest local forecast is available from the National Weather Service and the Weather Channel.

In the event of a weather related closure, the university’s Inclement Weather Policy will go into action and faculty, students, staff and local agencies will be notified.

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.

Contact: J. Michael Frasier | Musical Director, Grande Ronde Community Choir
541-910-1149 | mfrasier@eou.edu

January 4, 2013

EOU photo by Andrew Murray / Community Choir rehearsals begin Jan. 10 for March concert celebrating 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) ⎯ The Grande Ronde Community Choir will hold its first rehearsal of winter term from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 in Loso Hall, Room 123.

Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and the chorus is open to singers of all ages and abilities. There is a $20 fee per term to participate and the money is used to help defray operational costs of the choir.

“Anyone who likes to sing and wishes to be a part of an outstanding community group is encouraged to join,” said J. Michael Frasier, choir director and music educator. “We strive to include a balance of fun, social interaction and quality music-making into our rehearsals and performances.”

Frasier is assisted by Lanetta Paul, accompanist, and Jonathan Davidson, graduate assistant. The choir meets every Thursday night throughout the term and will perform March 12, with a concert program celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation signed into law in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln.

Music will include “The Homecoming,” by Joseph M. Martin with text by Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Young, “Workin’ For The Dawn Of Peace,” a setting of Civil War Songs and “Battle Hymn Of The Republic,” one of the most famous songs of the era.

The escape spiritual “Keep Your Lamps” arranged by Andre Thomas, and a religious freedom spiritual often quoted at Emancipation Proclamation remembrances, “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” also present a view of the times from the perspective of slaves.

For more information contact Frasier at 541-910-1149 (cell), 541-962-3463 (work), e-mail mfrasier@eou.edu, or connect with the Grande Ronde Community Choir on Facebook.

Contact: Cory Peeke | Nightingale Gallery Director
541-962-3584 | cpeeke@eou.edu

Click image for larger view.

December 21, 2012
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – The Nightingale Gallery at EOU begins a new year and academic term with an exhibition by six accomplished visual arts faculty.

The biennial Faculty Exhibition opens with a reception Friday, Jan. 11 from 6-8 p.m. in the gallery located in Loso Hall. The show will run through Feb. 1 and gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nationally and internationally recognized artists with works on display are Doug Kaigler, professor of sculpture, Cory Peeke, associate professor and director of the Nightingale Gallery, Jessica Plattner, associate professor of painting, Susan Murrell, assistant professor of printmaking, Michael Sell, assistant professor of photography, and Jess Riva Cooper, visiting assistant professor of ceramics.

“Just as we six artists have come together to create a vibrant art program at EOU, we have worked together to create a dynamic exhibition which explores the individual talents of each, as well as the collaborative nature inherent in our close knit program,” said Peeke, speaking as gallery director.

The exhibition offers a collective view of the art faculties’ recent creative endeavors. Integration of each artist’s body of work into the communal space of Nightingale Gallery allows viewers to explore visual relationships among them, as well as consider the newest trends in the work of some of this area’s most dynamic and respected artists.

Kaigler will present some of his recent sculptural works, which both feature and explore the elemental materials of wood, stone and water.

Peeke and Plattner will each present their most recent collage pieces.  Peeke’s work feature found vintage photography, which through the process of collage, combines with other elements to become something both fresh and familiar.

Plattner’s collages depict her infant daughter in a variety of surreal settings and act as a meditation on the magical possibilities of childhood.

Murrell will exhibit a selection of prints made during her summer residency at the Crow Shadow Institute.

The photographic portraits that Sell has on view are part of his larger investigation into fictional and real selves, and how the Internet enables users to fictionalize themselves in a public manner.

Cooper, who is filling in for Peter Johnson while he is on sabbatical, will present a selection of her newest ceramic sculpture inspired by the literature of Yiddish folklore, science fiction and magical realism.

For more on the individual artists and their work, visit www.eou.edu/art/faculty.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the artists will also present a gallery talk about their work on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 5-7 p.m. in Nightingale Gallery. The talk is free and open to the public.

For more information, see www.eou.edu/art/nightingale-gallery or connect with Nightingale on Facebook.

News contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement
541-962-3740 | ua@eou.edu

EOU’s campus and offices will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1.

December 18, 2012
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) ⎯  Eastern Oregon University will close during the holidays beginning Monday, Dec. 24 and will reopen for business Wednesday, Jan. 2.

The scheduled closure falls during winter break for enrolled students and is part of the energy saving measures outlined in EOU’s sustainability plan.

Essential services such as campus security will continue to operate, and facilities and security staff are the only university employees required to work during the closure.

Winter term classes begin Jan. 7.

Several EOU students were asked to share their plans for winter break. Hear from them (and President Bob Davies, too) in our 2012 holiday video.