From the President – November 12, 2025

Higher education has undergone dramatic shifts in the past year, and EOU strongly maintains its commitment to student success amid these challenges. Last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with the Oregon delegation regarding our concerns about some of the new uncertainties we face. We asked for their advocacy around Pell and TRIO grants, as well as graduate student funding. In addition, I shared our work in fighting to close the equity gaps between rural versus urban and suburban post secondary attainment. 

From the President – October 29, 2025

From the President – October 29, 2025 Gratitude, purpose, and connection Dear EOU Community, The beautiful fall weather and colors are keeping me focused on the here and now. The tangerines, red, and deep greens have captured my attention and kept me focused on the things that make life enjoyable. The ride! The chaos around […]

From the President – In the thick of the term!

From the President – In the thick of the term! Dear EOU Community Homecoming week this year was particularly special because it gave me the opportunity to celebrate and smile at a time when I really needed it. What I most like about Homecoming is hearing about how much EOU has changed individual lives. There […]

From the President – A great start to the new year!

Dear EOU Community, We’re into our second week of classes, and it’s been great to have all the “new” energy.  New students, faculty, and staff, and also to reconnect with everyone across the campus as we discuss our mission and strategies for the coming year.  Our Week of Welcome continues to be a rousing success […]

From the President – October 1, 2025

Dear EOU Community, As you may be aware, the Federal Government has shut down pending agreement on a funding package. I know that moments like this can create uncertainty, especially for those who are receiving federal financial aid and other resources. I want to assure you that Eastern Oregon University is closely monitoring the situation, […]

From the President – September 17, 2025

From the President – September 17, 2025 Wind in our Sails I’m feeling the regular round of excitement and anxiety as we enter the new academic year. Mostly, I’m hopeful. I’m hopeful that we will have a good year and be able to navigate the unexpected with wind in our sails.  I had the opportunity […]

From the President – August 13, 2025

From the President – August 13, 2025 Retreat, Re-TREAT, RETREAT!! Retreat season is well underway again. Occasionally, I think August should just be called the Month of Retreat(s)! Though I jest, retreats offer valuable opportunities to spend extended amounts of time together to build consensus, reconnect with our shared mission(s), and to be engaged. Among […]

From the President – June 11, 2025

From the President – June 11, 2025 Dogged Determination We are at the point in the academic calendar when we turn from dogged determination to get to the finish line to celebrations of all of our accomplishments.  (And I really mean dogged).  I had the opportunity last week to say a few words to Union […]

From the President – May 28, 2025

From the President – May 28, 2025 What we do is worth celebrating! Faculty and staff are excelling at teaching, researching, and providing services. Here is the report we sent to the Board of Trustees this week that outlines many of these achievements. I am proud of all the amazing things we’ve been doing! Take […]

From the President – May 15, 2025

From the President – May 15, 2025 May is a tough time of year at the university. Yes, it’s really beautiful. But also yes, we are really tired. This includes our students. I recently wrote a peppy email to our students encouraging them to focus on their next step rather than the longer journey, and […]

From the President – April 30, 2025

Dear EOU Community, We’ve had another whirlwind couple of weeks. One of the highlights was the Technical and Regional Universities – TRU –  Lobby Day at the Capitol, where EOU students, faculty, staff, and administrators met with legislators to share the financial challenges and amazing opportunities that come with being part of one of our […]

From the President – April 16, 2025

From the President – April 16, 2025 Dear EOU Community, EOU was abuzz with activity the last two weeks. We’ve hosted the Oregon Joint Ways and Means Committee. The “Rally in Our Valley” brought our university together in support of funding for higher education. Our Board of Trustees’ committees met. We had a rousing rock-paper-scissors […]

From the President – April 2, 2025

From the President – April 2, 2025 I hope many of you had a peaceful break. My calendar slowed a bit, and it was great to catch up and have some time for fun. I know many of you worked over the break prepping for classes, getting students registered, working on our facilities, coaching, budgeting, […]

From the President – March 6, 2025

From the President – March 6, 2025 Dear EOU Community, It’s March and we’re planning to bring it in with cookies! Friday, March 7 is Employee Appreciation Day, and we’re having cookies at the top of the Grand Staircase between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to celebrate you! I hope you’ll join us for some […]

From the President – February 19, 2025

From the President – February 19, 2025 Dear EOU Community, I had the opportunity to attend the EOU Chamber Choir and Music Department’s You, Me & We show, and I found myself getting emotional – even misty-eyed – as it represented so much of what we do. I thought about the students who performed last […]

From the President – December 11, 2024

A little ray of sunshine Dear EOU Community, As I write, the sun has just popped over the mountain leaving a crest of bright orange, red, and yellow; it’s a beautifully peaceful moment. And honestly, it’s just what I need after a couple of crazy hectic weeks.  By the time you read this, we’re just […]

From the President – November 26, 2024

The season of gratitude Dear Campus Community, Recently, in one of my biweekly letters to students, I asked students to share with me their greatest success this term. I had a truly heartwarming response from a single mom who chose EOU to pursue her goals. She had always wanted to go to college, but with […]

From the President – Gratitude, appreciation, and kindness

From the President – Gratitude, appreciation, and kindness Dear EOU Community, University presidents spend a lot of time thinking about and planning for the future. I recently attended an EOU Leadership Team meeting where we discussed many of the wonderful new or updated student success work we’re undertaking as a result of the Ascent ‘29 […]

From the President – October 30, 2024

From the President – October 30, 2024 Dear EOU Community, The last few weeks were anxious ones, with me checking our numbers hoping the good news would hold in this strange new era of higher education. And they did! I’m pleased to share with you that our headcount now sits at 2,954, an increase of […]

From the President – October 16, 2024

From the President – October 16, 2024 Homecoming was a rollicking success! I felt a lot of joy seeing the incredible relationships we’ve forged with our students over time. They keep coming back to EOU because we supported them on their path to success. It was delightful to see so many of you having fun […]