Eastern Oregon University > Alumni > Award Recipients > 2021 Alumni Award Recipients

2021 Alumni Award Recipients

Kale Cockett

Kale Cockett, ’95
Distinguished Alumnus

Kale Cockett graduated from EOU in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in General Studies. He attained his goal of working in law enforcement as a special agent for the United States. Kale has worked as a Secret Service agent for nearly 20 years. He has had the honor of serving every living president of the United States of America. He has traveled the world providing special security to U.S. dignitaries, their families, and other foreign heads of state. When not working as a detail for world leaders, he conducts criminal investigations to protect the integrity of U.S. financial infrastructure. Kale Cockett has served our country and leaders with integrity and honor. He is a well-respected and proud Native Hawaiian, and his service and career brings pride to his community and his people. Eastern Oregon University celebrates his service and career.

Jer Pratton

Jer Pratton
Dixie Lund Service Award

Jer Pratton retired in 2000 after a decade as superintendent of the Hermiston School District. He graduated from Centennial High School in Gresham and received a doctorate from University of Oregon in 1982. After retirement, his passion for education continued. He assisted with superintendent searches, served as an interim superintendent twice, and worked for two years designing the Lincoln International School in Costa Rica. He joined EOU’s inaugural Board of Trustees in 2015, and served until 2021. His experience in K12 schools and his involvement in improving rural communities informed Jer Pratton’s work at EOU. As a volunteer board member, he shaped how the fledgling board would govern the university. His service, mentorship and expertise will have a lasting impact on the university and its leaders.

Bob Stubbs

Bob Stubbs
Honorary Alumnus

Since the age of 17, Robert “Bob” Stubbs has had the goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree. EOU was the eighth college he attended, transferring after he’d retired from a career in software development. Following his military service in the U.S. Air Force and National Guard, he built a career that took his family all over the nation and world. Attending classes off and on from 2007 to 2018, Bob Stubbs had to stop short of a degree when his doctor requested that the 81-year-old halt his studies for health reasons. A lifetime of friends and colleagues stepped up to advocate for recognition of his many accomplishments. It has been Bob’s lifelong dream to get his degree – he ensured that all of his children attended college and received degrees, and now he’ll join them as the recipient of the 2021 Honorary Alumnus Award.