Cannon named interim Dean of Distance Education

Published: May 2, 2003

by Tim Seydel
University Advancement
541-962-3585 / fax 541-962-3680

Michael Cannon

La Grande, Oregon - Eastern Oregon University announced today that Dr. Mike Cannon, director of special programs in distance education, has been named interim dean of Distance Education, effective June 1, 2003.

Cannon will succeed Dr. Dixie Lund, who was named interim president of Eastern Oregon University following the resignation of Dr. Phillip Creighton. Creighton is leaving EOU on July 31 to accept the presidency at Pacific University in Forest Grove.

"Dr. Cannon's experience in developing and delivering successful collaborative distance learning programs makes him an ideal candidate to serve as interim dean," said President Creighton. "I'm very pleased with the appointment. As director of EOCCC, Mike created a nationally recognized program that provided educational opportunities to students throughout eastern Oregon."

Cannon came to La Grande in 1998 as director of the Eastern Oregon Collaborative Colleges Center (EOCCC), a partnership between Blue Mountain Community College, Eastern Oregon University, and Treasure Valley Community College that allows students to enroll in courses and programs from any combination of the three partner institutions, while still receiving the full array of services that are enjoyed by their on-campus counterparts. In 2002, Cannon was named director of special programs with EOU's Division of Distance Education, where he manages course delivery via distance learning, develops and implements new programs and technologies and oversees federal financial aid compliance for distance education students.

"Distance education at EOU has been a strong program for decades, with a national reputation for excellence, and continues to enjoy very positive growth," said Cannon. "The DDE team that I'll be working with is second to none, and despite the challenges we face in higher ed and as an institution, there's no place I'd rather be. I'm honored, but at the same time very humbled, to have been asked to fill this role."

A 1970 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Cannon received his Ed.M. in1996 from the University of Portland and his Ed.D. from Oregon State University in 2001. He taught and coordinated Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) courses at Treasure Valley Community College and throughout Malheur County from 1988-1993 and served on the faculty of the EMT department at Chemeketa Community College in Salem.

Contact Information

University Advancement Eastern Oregon University One University Boulevard La Grande, OR 97850 phone 541.962.3740 fax 541.962.3680 email University Advancement