EOU confers degree on 17-year old
Contact: Laura Hancock / lhancock@eou.edu
Source: Chris Cronin, Grant County DDE Center / ccronin@eou.edu
LaShel White
La Grande, Oregon - At the age of 16, when most teenagers are primarily concerned with passing their driver’s test, LaShel White of Spring City, Utah, was finishing up her final graduation requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
On Saturday, June 11, at age 17, LaShel graduated cum laude in Liberal Studies from Eastern Oregon University through the Division of Distance Education. That weekend was the first time she had set foot on campus, accompanied by her proud mother, grandparents, and best friend.
LaShel was admitted to EOU in the fall of 2001 at the age of 13 after completing a home school high school curriculum and achieving a high score on her ACT college assessment exam. Despite her youth, EOU Admissions was willing to give her a chance.
At the time of her acceptance to EOU, LaShel wrote, “The main reason I desire a college degree is to help fuel my thirst for knowledge. When I was little, I wanted to know everything. As a result, I spent my free time reading and learning. Now that I am somewhat older, I have come to the obvious realization that I will never know everything, and resigned myself simply to learn as much as possible.”
LaShel completed a degree in liberal studies with minors in history, English and film at the end of fall term, 2005, when she was just 16. LaShel took every course from EOU’s Division of Distance Education. Highly complimentary of her EOU professors, she credits Dr. Jeffrey Wetherill, instructor in history, with “changing the course of her life.”
Wetherill’s course, history 310, “The Vikings,” influenced her decision to devote her future academic pursuits to the study of medieval history. English professors Sandra Ellston and Nancy Knowles were also among her favorite instructors, as was U.S. history instructor Maurice Barclay. Her professors noted the exceptional maturity and insight of her work and writing.
LaShel’s bright future will continue this fall, as she enters Utah State University in Logan as a student in the School of Graduate Studies. She told her advisor, Chris Cronin, that she plans to be an on-campus student this time.
“I’ll be living in the dorms. It will be a little strange, since I will actually be younger than most of the regular freshmen, yet I’ll be in the graduate program. Still, I’m looking forward to it!”
She has been warded a full fellowship to pursue a master’s degree in history. After that, she plans to obtain a Ph.D. and teach history at the college level someday. Judging from LaShel’s progress thus far, one has the feeling that LaShel is destined to create a little history of her own.
Eastern Oregon University is celebrating its 75th Anniversary during the 2004-2005 academic year. Ranked number two in the nation as a "Best Value for Public Colleges and Universities" by Consumers Digest magazine, EOU offers exceptional faculty, personal attention and attractive facilities in a remarkable setting in La Grande, Oregon and at 16 distance learning Centers throughout the state. At EOU, students engage in undergraduate research, internships and cooperative opportunities, international experiences and community service for today's global society. EOU is a student-centered campus, measuring its success by the achievements of its students.
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