EOU releases new mission statement

Published: Feb. 26, 2004

by C.J. Gish
Media and publication writer
University Advancement
541-962-3585 / fax 541-962-3680

La Grande, Oregon - With a new president coming on board in May and a refocus on stepping out in the world, Eastern Oregon University recently selected a new mission statement that reflects its future path.

The revised mission statement was recently approved at the Campus Assembly on Feb. 3 and now reads:

EOU guides student inquiry through integrated, high-quality liberal arts and professional programs that lead to responsible and reflective action in a diverse and interconnected world.

As an educational, cultural and scholarly center, EOU connects the rural regions of Oregon to a wider world. Our beautiful setting and small size enhance the personal attention our students receive, while partnerships with colleges, universities and communities add to the educational possibilities of our region and state.

"The newly approved mission statement reflects the connection and interdependency between the liberal arts and practical applications in the professional programs like business and education," said Dixie Lund, EOU's interim president. "Anticipation of our five-year accreditation and self-study further prompted an examination of our mission statement."

EOU English/writing associate professor Rob Davis and associate business professor Bob Larison co-chaired a team of faculty, staff and students who gathered information from around campus to rewrite the mission statement.

"It is important to review the statement every few years," said Davis. "The new mission statement reflects the changing institutional culture and what we are trying to do in the world. The mission helps decide what we most want to be and what we are, and it helps us to use our tution dollars and state support in a focused way."

Davis said the statement continues to focus on EOU's regional outlook while opening the door to worldwide opportunities for the University.

"In the Gilbert era, we had a regional service mission and for Creighton the focus was EOU as a selective, high quality institution," said Davis. "Now we want to be active learning and personal attention to students. We've tried to use pieces of previous missions and stress the way the programs are integrated; and we're trying to take the idea of serving the region and being connected to the diverse world. EOU becomes a portal to the world."

Lund agrees, adding that the sentence in the new statement referring to EOU's beauty and location are also important points.

"The new mission statement retains the awareness of our role in rural issues, but more clearly references how EOU both serves the rural regions of our state as well as connects such regions to a wider world through educational access, research and service. We also believe that commenting on the 'beautiful setting' of EOU is an honest and appropriate way to attract potential students, faculty and business endeavors to the EOU area."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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