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Meet EOU President, Dr. Bob Davies

Friends and Neighbors,

 

First and foremost, on behalf of myself, my wife Cindy and our daughter Katie, I want to thank all of you for such a tremendous welcome.  Officially, we became members of this beautiful valley in early June when we moved into our new home.  But we know that being a member of this community is more than just taking up residence – it is actively participating, and we intend to do just that.  We have already attended tours, parades, rodeos and other terrific events La Grande and Union County have to offer.  On a more personal note, our daughter Katie is determined to visit every ice cream store in the area to find her favorite scoop!  

One of the primary reasons I became interested in EOU’s presidency is the connection between the university and the community. Eastern’s founding mission was and is to serve the community and the region, and I am firmly committed to that concept. Our goals will continue to be serving the citizens of our region with access to a quality education, delivering education at an affordable rate, and supporting the rural and frontier regions of our state.  The term “rural” connects to our geographic location, traditions and work ethic, where “frontier” refers to exploring the new dimensions of work and society in a changing local and global environment.

In these trying economic times, it is imperative that EOU and the community strengthen their relationship and acknowledge the linkages between the two.  My predecessor, President Dixie Lund, provided exemplary leadership in forging relationships, and I look forward to building on her good work to meet our new challenges and demands. 

You may have read in The Observer recently that myself and the leadership team at EOU have agreed to take a reduction in salary. In doing so, I am joining the efforts of individuals who have already agreed to a voluntary pay cut. I would like to recognize and thank them for their continued dedication and service to this wonderful University. You have set an example all of us can be proud of.

While there is uncertainty of the future, I am energized by conversations with many business and civic leaders about how EOU can serve our rural region and position ourselves at the forefront of innovation, technology and a knowledge-based economy.  On my first Crop Tour, I learned just how sophisticated we are in this region and the importance of EOU, (and our partnership with OSU), to the agricultural community.  The advances being made here in Union County in the science of agriculture, transportation, and economic and business development are impressive indeed and will have a lasting and long-range impact. 

Clearly there is the willingness and openness to work with each other to advance our community. Together we will be able to explore many possibilities of collaboration and partnerships.  We have all agreed that there is no single answer; however, with a belief in true community alliances, I sense an immense degree of hope and optimism for all our futures.

Over the past several months, many planning meetings have taken place at the local, county and regional levels.  EOU is, and will continue to be, a partner in those discussions and planning processes and we will play our role in the economic revitalization of the area.  Additionally, we will continue to be a contributing member of the civic and cultural atmosphere of La Grande and the county that is at the foundation of our rich heritage and traditions we are so proud of.

Again, thank you for the extremely warm welcome to our new community where we will be active participants.  We have already met many of you during our ventures to the area, however, if we have not yet become acquainted; please introduce yourself when you see us walking downtown.  Who knows, maybe it will be on the way to our next ice cream stop, and there is nothing better than meeting new friends over a scoop of mint chocolate chip! 

Bob Davies

President, Eastern Oregon University

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