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Harney County students benefit from unique scholarship

News contact: Laura Hancock
(541) 962-3585 | lhancock@eou.edu

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

LA GRANDE, Ore. — A unique scholarship program is bringing college students and equine enthusiasts together in Harney County.

Since its inception in 1996, the Harney
County Futures Scholarship Fund has awarded thousands of dollars to students taking courses online through Eastern Oregon University and Treasure Valley Community College.

"This is the only scholarship exclusive to online students living in Harney County," said Regina Cashen, director of EOU's regional center in Burns.

Fundraising activities for the scholarship are diverse, ranging from the sale of See's Candies and used textbooks, to individual donations and federal campaign contributions. But the big draw is the annual wild horse raffle, and this year a Kiger mustang is attracting attention.

Each year the Burns District Bureau of Land Management donates a wild horse for raffle to the EOU Foundation. All proceeds go toward the Harney County Futures Scholarship.

The yearling filly is from the Kiger Herd Management Area in the Steens Mountains. Horses from this herd are only gathered once every four years and are known for their Spanish mustang heritage. The BLM covers the cost of feeding, boarding and training for the filly until she is ready to go to her new home.

"Last year BLM's contributions totaled about $40,000. Their commitment to this program is very much appreciated," Cashen said. "The raffle horse also serves as an ambassador for the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program."

The drawing for the Kiger filly will be held Sunday, Sept. 7 at the Harney County Fair in Burns.

"People at the fair come by the stall to pet the horse and it opens the door to discussion of scholarships and educational opportunities," Cashen said. "It helps us establish relationships in the community and provide advice and services to those in need."

Scholarship amounts vary based on need and the application requirements are straightforward: anyone who has called Harney County home for two years prior to filing their application is eligible.

"Students are asked to submit an essay explaining how the scholarship will benefit them and the community," Cashen said. "The goal is to help local residents pursue an education while continuing to live and work in Harney County."

Lisa Moody

Cashen is quick to relate the success stories of recent scholarship
recipients. They include teachers and administrators in the Harney
County School District and employees of the Bureau of Land Management. Another scholarship recipient is working for the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center in Burns, and two more will be pursuing advanced degrees through EOU's master of teacher education program. Yet another recent recipient aims to enroll in Oregon Health
and Science University's School of Nursing program housed at EOU.

Lisa Moody is one of the three students who received Harney County Futures Scholarships this year. She is pursuing a bachelor's of science degree in liberal studies and plans to enter a master's program in library science.

"I am so thankful to have received the Harney County Futures Scholarship," Moody said. "Because of the hard-working people involved in raising money for this scholarship, I will be able to attend EOU full-time beginning this fall."

"This is a wonderful opportunity for my family and me, as I will finish my schooling and be able to seek professional employment sooner than I thought possible."

For more information call the EOU Harney County Regional Center at (541) 573-5012 or visit www.eou.edu/advising/harneycounty/HarneyFutures.html. Tickets for the wild horse raffle are available for $5 each or $20 for five.