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This year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award is Josie Ward Heath, of Boulder, Colo., a 1959 Eastern Oregon State College graduate in education. As an educator and activist, Heath began organizing for civil rights in the 1960s. Her outreach work continued in the Colorado political arena and as an advocate for women’s education. She has worked in academia, on several gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns, and also ran for Colorado state senator in 1990. In 1979, Heath was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as the Denver regional director for ACTION, a federal agency for volunteer service. In 2002, she helped her husband, Rollie, campaign for governor of Colorado and in 2004 they served as delegates to the Democratic National Convention. She remains involved in community activism for the advancement of women and children, as noted in the “Josie Heath Collection” housed at the University of Colorado-Boulder library. The collection contains publications, newspaper articles, notes and papers related to her political and social activism work.
Rob Cashell, of La Grande, is recognized for his many accomplishments as EOU’s former athletic director. Under his guidance, the institution maintained aggressive adherence to Title IX requirements in helping to maintain athletic programs at EOU for women. Cashell also emphasized the importance of the academic performance of student-athletes, which resulted in an increase in the number of athletes qualifying for the dean’s list.
Chet Prior, of Hermiston garnered a mechanical engineering degree in the late 1950s, but began his working life early on a small family farm. For the past 36 years he has been involved in all things agricultural, including his role as a founding member of the Potato Growers Bargaining Committee and the Oregon Water Coalition. He has been a strong voice of support for EOU and Blue Mountain Community College programs in Umatilla County, and was instrumental in the creation of the new Eastern Oregon Higher Education Center in Hermiston.
Eric Valentine, of La Grande, OR, a retired Union County Circuit Court judge, served served as the 2012 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal. Valentine is an avid EOU supporter and an accomplished photographer who has altruistically used his artistic skill to help market the university and the eastern Oregon region. To view Eric’s blog & photographs, visit: http://www.praisephotography.com
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Alumni Programs Office Eastern Oregon University One University Blvd. La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: 541-962-3740 Fax: 541-962-3680 E-mail: alumni@eou.edu