Character counts when it
comes to new athletic scholarship
Dixie Lund, past interim president of EOU, talks with Lyle Schwarz, president of the EOU
Foundation, in the Stenard Memorial Garden on campus. Lund and her husband Edward
established the Lund Champions of Character Scholarship in the EOU Foundation in June.
Story and photo by Laura Hancock
Media and Publications Writer
lhancock@eou.edu
La Grande, Oregon – Respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, integrity and servant leadership. These are the core values exemplified by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Champions of Character program and the newly established Lund Champions of Character Scholarship now available to female athletes attending Eastern Oregon University.
The $1,000 scholarship established by Edward and Dixie Lund on June 3 in the EOU Foundation, offers an encouragement for all female athletes to attain the core values of character.
Rob Cashell, director of athletics at EOU, first approached Dixie Lund about the idea for the scholarship earlier this spring. Lund served as EOU’s interim president for the 2003-2004 academic year and developed close relationships with the athletes on campus. She traveled to Sioux City with the women's basketball team for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) tournament.
“I was inspired by their commitment to one another and how they represented Eastern,” Lund said. “One of the best highlights of my time as interim president was going on that trip. It was a fun bonding experience.”
The fun really began when the team members officially initiated Lund by playing out a practical joke.
“It said to me ‘you’re accepted and we like you’,” Lund said with a laugh.
When the team lost early on in the tournament, Lund saw a wave of depression sweep over the girls. After returning crestfallen, everyone spent the evening in her hotel room, eating pizza together. Dixie offered a comforting ear.
Cashell knew Lund shared a special bond with the women’s basketball team.
“I immediately thought of Dixie,” said Cashell, who had been working to fill the need from the Booster Club standpoint to raise money for athletic scholarships. “She embodies all of the characteristics.”
Respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, integrity and servant leadership: The core of the Lund Champions of Character Scholarship.
The year Lund served as interim president was a benchmark year for the athletic department, Cashell said. With her help, many issues were resolved and she was instrumental in developing the department’s current plan.
“We really thank Ed and Dixie for their generosity,” said Cashell, speaking for the entire athletic department.
In addition to exemplifying the five core values of character, scholarship recipients must be currently enrolled at sophomore standing at EOU, OSU or OHSU, but attending classes on the EOU campus. Applicants must have been associated with a female athletic team at EOU for at least one season prior to applying for the scholarship. Applicants must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The scholarship is non-renewable.
“This generous gift is just one of the meaningful contributions the Lunds have made to EOU over the years. It is very fitting that a scholarship honoring character and integrity be named for them,” said Lyle Schwarz, president of the EOU Foundation. “We hope that the their generosity also inspires others to give to this scholarship and it continues to grow each year.”
For more information or to contribute to the scholarship, please contact the Office of University Advancement at (541) 962-3740, or e-mail advancement@eou.edu
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