Message from the President

Friends and Fellow Alumni, 

Excellence in teaching and learning are at the center of EOU’s identity, and you’ll find these themes woven throughout this issue of The Mountaineer. Our shared legacy includes nearly a century of preparing teachers to serve schools throughout our region. These last several years have only highlighted the all-important role classrooms of all shapes and sizes play in their communities. 

Through a screen, in a gym or on the job, EOU alumni continue teaching and learning in a range of fields. Our distinctly rural context deepens opportunities for partnership and innovation, bringing cutting-edge solutions to today’s educators. Creative writers and poets reach the next generation of readers with inspiration, while new data sets reveal striking insights about local populations. Co-curriculars like internships, clubs and athletics strengthen the student experience and guide Mountaineers toward connection with peers and mentors. Community organizations work with the Rural Engagement and Vitality Center to tap into faculty expertise and student energy. 

All the while, I have the privilege of sharing these stories with colleagues and friends across the state. Telling our stories often compels others to get involved, and this winter the Oregon legislature invested $4 million in our story regarding the Grand Staircase. The restoration of this historical access point marks a concrete step in EOU’s ascent. 

I’m grateful to be among you, also teaching and learning, as we move forward together. 

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Insko, ’94 | President