New Faces at EOU

Eastern Oregon University welcomes new teaching faculty, administrative faculty and classified staff for the beginning of fall term, 2007. The following is a listing of all new teaching faculty, administrative faculty, unclassified and classified staff who have joined the University community in the 2007-08 academic year.

College of Arts and Sciences

Mary Brown

Bryan Fisher

Gordon Gregersen

Jaime Gustavson

Suranga Hettiarachchi

Linda Jerofke

Henrietta Mercer Smith Laustsen

Mary Opalenik

Phillip O'Reilly

Neva Sanders

Shaun Sorensen

Heather Tomlinson

Josephine Topholm

Zachary Walter

Click here for 2007-08 faculty profiles

New unclassified staff
Kaki McLean, Head Volleyball Coach, Athletics

Virginia Keys, V.P. for Business and Finance

Dan O'Grady, Fire Services Administration Regional Adviser, Division of Distance Education

Mac Taylor, Director of Business Affairs

Kirk Creech, Asst. Director of Facilities

Tracie Houtz, Asst. Bookstore Manager

Isaac Williams, Sports Information Director/Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Athletics

Russell Yap, Head Athletic Trainer, Athletics

Jon Hart, Asst. Athletic Trainer, Athletics

Hailey Wolcott, Assist. Director of Student Leadership, Housing and Residence Life, Student Affairs

Sharon Nelson, Marketing, Union County Director, Division of Distance Education

Kalie Chalmers, Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions

Stephanie Petersen, Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions

Anthony Luper, Admissions Representative/Campus Tour Program Coordinator, Office of Admissions

Jonathan Larkin, Director of Annual Giving, University Advancement

New classified staff

Sandra Rogers, Office Specialist 1, Portland, Division of Distance Education

Doug Scott, Trade Maintenance Worker 2, Facilities and Planning

Carolyn Bloyed, Administrative Program Specialist, Registrar's Office

Dan Clemens, Analyst Programmer, Information Technology

Carol Balsiger, Office Specialist 1, Learning Center

Meghan Counsell, Office Specialist 1, Division of Distance Education

Crystine Brown, Office Specialist 2, Pierce Library

Joyce DePriest, Accounting Technician, Accounts Payable

Kelly Marriot, Office Specialist 1, Financial Aid

Michelle Long, Accounting Technician, Student Accounts

Kerry Bullard, Office Specialist 2, Institutional Research/Grants and Sponsored Programs

Tammy Girt, Administrative Program Assistant, Division of Distance Education

Brenda Lovan, Cashier 2, Student Accounts

Rachel Hawes, Office Specialist 2, Pierce Library

Shonda Kinsley, Office Specialist 2, College of Arts and Sciences

Robert Arnson, Custodian, Facilities and Planning

Terri Hahn, Office Specialist 2, Pendleton, Division of Distance Education

Holly Arnson, Office Specialist 2, Multicultural Affairs/Diversity Office

Veral Prince, Campus Security, Environmental Health and Safety

Julee Ulrey, Information Technology Consultant, College of Arts and Sciences

Dawn Schiller, Office Specialist 2, College of Arts and Sciences

New Headstart employees

Melinda Becker

Brandi Canfield

Charlotte Dudley

Holly Wagner

Faculty Profiles

Mary Brown, instructor of mathematics, received her degree from CSU-San Bernardino and has held numerous teaching positions in California and Oregon. She currently works in the College of Education at EOU and will be teaching remedial math for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bryan Fisher, assistant professor of mathematics, holds a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Oregon and a bachelor's of science degree from UW. He has been a resource faculty at EOU since 2006 and has also worked for Treasure Valley Community College and Blue Mountain Community College. He has teaching experience overseas in Singapore and in Eugene.

Gordon Gregersen, instructor of mathematics, has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree from Oregon State University. For the majority of his career he worked in Portland as a senior vice president at Tice Electric Company and has taught mathematics part-time at various educational institutions in Oregon and Washington.

Jaime Gustavson, instructor of art, specializes in painting, drawing and sculpture. She graduated from EOU in 2000 with a bachelor's of art degree and she is in the process of obtaining her master of fine arts degree from Vermont College Union Institute and University. She has been a teacher at Union High School since 2001 and is one of two people filling in for Jessica Plattner, assistant professor of art, who will be in Mexico on a Fulbright scholarship for winter and spring terms.

Suranga Hettiarachchi, senior instructor, is joining the Computer Science/Multimedia program at EOU. He holds a doctorate degree, a master's in computer science and a bachelor's of science in managements information systems from the University of Wyoming. He has also studied in Australia and has completed certificates from the United Kingdom and his native Sri Lanka. Funding for his position is being provided through ETIC (Engineering, Technology, Innovation Council).

Linda Jerofke, assistant professor of anthropology, is recognized as a leader in research, teaching and community involvement at EOU. She has a doctorate in medical/nutritional anthropology form the University of Oregon, where she also earned her master's degree. Her bachelor's degree in anthropology is from Appalachian State University. Areas of study include maternal nutrition during pregnancy. She has lead a distinguished career as a consultant for various government agencies and is currently involved in numerous grants and projects at EOU.

Henrietta Mercer Smith Laustsen, assistant professor of geology, earned her doctorate in geophysics and a master's in geology from the University of Colorado. Her previous work experience includes positions with the U.S. Geological Survey, the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, and as a research associate and instructor at the University of Colorado's geological sciences department.

Mary Opalenik, instructor of English, has a master's from San Franciso State University in English, and a bachelor's from San Jose Sate University and is certified to teach in Oregon, Washington and California. She is teaching a humanities sequence at EOU that is international in focus, as she has lived in Qatar, Japan, Turkey, India, Ethiopia, and now La Grande.

Phillip O'Reilly, assistant professor of economics, holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Colorado with a primary field econometrics and natural resources/environmental economics. He also has specialties in finance and international finance. He received his master's degree in political science and public policy from the University of Colorado and his bachelor's degree in police science and administration from Northern Arizona University. He is the owner of Oregon WiFi and Internet Solutions.

Neva Sanders, instructor of Spanish, has a long tradition of teaching Spanish and helping out in the writing center at EOU. This year she is stepping in for Jill Gibian, associate professor of Spanish, who is on sabbatical. Sanders graduated from EOU with concentrations in English literature and film and a minor in Spanish. She has translated Spanish short fiction and is interested in bilingual art production, particularly in theatre.

Shaun Sorensen, instructor of theatre, is a 2004 graduate from EOU. He has a master of fine arts degree from the University of Idaho and has earned numerous credits in lighting design and set design. He is also a master electrician.

Heather Tomlinson, assistant professor of theatre, will teach costume design at EOU. She graduated with a master of fine arts degree in theatre arts from the University of Idaho, where she also earned her bachelor's degree in clothing, textiles and design. She comes to La Grande from Melbourne, Australia.

Josephine Topholm, assistant professor of art, will work with Jaime Gustavson to fill in for Jessica Plattner who will be in Mexico on a Fulbright scholarship. Topholm earned a master of fine arts degree in printmaking and digital imaging from Washington State University after receiving her bachelor's of science in art from EOU in 2004. She is a co-founder of Oregon Ink Spot, an annual print exchange.

Zachary Walter, instructor of English/writing, has a master of fine arts degree from the California College of Arts and a bachelor's of art degree in film from University of California, Santa Cruz. He also has a bachelor's in film studies.

Archived Profiles - 2006

If you would like to be included in the profile section, please download and complete this form in Word or pdf format and e-mail to Laura Hancock in the Office of University Advancement at lhancock@eou.edu.

• Karen Clay — Director, Pierce Library
• Jaime Contreras— Director, Admissions Office
• Stephen Jenkins — Director, Residence Life
• Luz Villarroel — Director of Diversity

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