Creighton announces departure from EOU
Will assume presidency at Pacific University Aug. 1

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La Grande Observer
Pacific University

EOU President Phil Creighton

Contact:
Tim Seydel
Asst. Vice President for
University Advancement
541-962-3740 |fax 541-962-3680

La Grande, Oregon - Eastern Oregon University President Phillip D. Creighton announced today that he would be leaving his position in La Grande as of July 31.

"This has been a difficult decision for Leigh and me," said Creighton. "But we feel that this is the right time for us to pursue new opportunities. EOU has a bright and promising future, and now is the occasion for a new president to lead this university into the next phase of its development."

Oregon University System Chancellor Richard Jarvis is planning to visit EOU campus March 14 to meet with the campus community and discuss the transition and search for a new president.

Creighton has served as President at EOU since July 1998. During his tenure at EOU, the University has experienced remarkable and significant change, from strategic planning to development and funding of a $30+ million dollar Science Center, now under construction.

"When I arrived at EOU, we set out to accomplish a number of goals, including strategic planning and campus master plans, increasing enrollment, capital construction and increasing private giving. With the support of our
campus and local community, we have succeeded."

Creighton's achievements at EOU include:

Prior to his presidency at EOU, Creighton served in a number of positions at Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Maryland, including provost and vice president of academic affairs from 1995-1998. Creighton went to SSU in 1990 as the Dean of the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, that later became the combined School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Henson School of Science and Technology. While at Salisbury, he developed a school-wide emphasis on undergraduate research, formed an industrial/academic partnership board, and developed several collaborative projects with other University of Maryland System institutions.

Creighton began his career at Towson State University (TSU) in Towson, Maryland, in 1973 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to full professor and served as associate dean of math and sciences and assistant to
the provost. While at TSU, he was a three-time recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award.

His research interests include the study of community inter-relationships, nesting energetics, and parental behavior of birds. He has conducted considerable research and published frequently on an array of ornithological topics. Creighton holds a Ph.D. in ecology (1974) and master's degree in zoology (1970) from Colorado State University, and a bachelor's degree in biology (1966) from Tarkio College in Missouri.

As chief executive officer of Eastern Oregon University, Creighton served under the direction of the Chancellor of the Oregon University System according to the policies set by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education.
Eastern Oregon University is a member of The Oregon University System, which is composed of seven public institutions established to provide post-secondary education to Oregonians.

EOU is Oregon's premier undergraduate university, offering exceptional faculty, personal attention and attractive facilities in a remarkable setting in La Grande, Oregon and at 13 centers throughout the state. As part of a vibrant learning community, students engage in undergraduate research, internships and cooperative opportunities, international experiences and community service. EOU is a student-centered campus, measuring its success by the achievements of its students.

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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