EOU Foundation launches "Ignite the Future" campaign
Contact: Laura Hancock | Communications Coordinator
Office of University Advancement | 541-962-3740
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
LA GRANDE, Oregon – The Eastern Oregon University Foundation is launching a campaign in May with the goal of raising $2 million by December 2008. Entitled “Ignite the Future,” the campaign is one of the largest endeavors undertaken in the history of the Foundation.
Taking its name from a torch carried by the Queen of Knowledge at Eastern’s annual Evensong Ceremony – held on the steps of the Grand Staircase outside Inlow Hall until 1971 – the “Ignite the Future” campaign will substantially grow the Foundation. Targeted development includes providing additional scholarships for EOU students, strengthening current activities, and supporting alumni programs, faculty development grants, and special projects.
“The Foundation Board feels that it is critical for us, as alumni and supporters of EOU, to increase our efforts, and we have been preparing for this campaign since last year,” said Lyle Schwarz, EOU Foundation president.
While the campus is currently undergoing budget cuts and rapid change, members of the Foundation board feel that continuing to support EOU is very important right now.
“This campaign will help us celebrate our heritage and provide for the future,” Schwarz said.
The EOU Foundation was established in 1964 to support students, faculty and programs. With an endowment of over $2.7 million, the Foundation is a vital force for higher education in eastern Oregon and is governed by a board of community members and alumni volunteers.
Over $100,000 in scholarships are awarded annually by the EOU Foundation, which has spearheaded a number of noteworthy projects in recent years, including a remodel of the Ackerman Hall Library into the EOU Alumni Room meeting space, creating the Stenard Memorial Garden in honor of Dick Stenard, former vice president for student affairs at EOU, and significant financial support for the construction and equipping of EOU’s new Badgley Hall Science Center.
“We hope to engage more alumni than ever before through this campaign,” said Lori Brown ’95, president of the EOU Alumni Association. “This campaign will help preserve Eastern’s traditions and provide for both current and future needs.”
A highlight of the campaign will be the efforts to restore EOU’s historic Grand Staircase. The staircase was constructed as part of Inlow Hall in 1929 to connect Eastern with the La Grande community. Over the years, the staircase has fallen into disrepair when state maintenance funds became scarce. A part of every gift to the campaign will help with this restoration project.
“While the Foundation plans to seek grants and historic preservation funds to support the lion’s share of the project, we community members and alumni can do a lot to help,” Schwarz said. “The Staircase is a hallmark of EOU and it is time that we took care of it.”
For more information about the “Ignite the Future” campaign, contact the Office of University Advancement at (541) 962-3740, or visit the Foundation Web site at www.eou.edu/foundation.
Contact Information for Admissions
Eastern Oregon University
University Advancement
One University Boulevard
Ackerman Hall, Room 209
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: 541-962-3740
Fax: 541-962-3680
Email: advancement@eou.edu