EOU Students and Leaders Rally for Higher Education at State Capitol

EOU Students and Leaders Rally for Higher Education at State Capitol

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University students, faculty, and leadership traveled to the Oregon State Capitol on April 21 to champion higher education in Oregon. 

Joined by counterparts from Oregon’s other technical and regional universities (TRUs) – Western Oregon University (WOU), Southern Oregon University (SOU), and Oregon Tech (OT)- the group met with legislators to advocate for investments that support access, affordability, and student success across the state.

EOU President Kelly Ryan led the university’s delegation, which included Vice President for University Advancement Tim Seydel, Monty the Mountaineer, and a variety of students, including Diego Vergara Zuber, incoming Associated Students of EOU (ASEOU) president, and Corrian Kellogg, a member of ASEOU.  Monty made an appearance in the Senate Gallery, along with Vergara Zuber, joining Senator Todd Nash on the Senate Floor during the day’s legislative session.

Also representing EOU were students Laly Macias, Ahnica Shoemaker, Raelynn Wilson, and Benson Lawson; faculty members Anthony Stenson, chair of the Faculty Union, Daniel Costie, professor of public administration, and Dustin Ellis, professor of history and public administration.

The interinstitutional delegations were student advocates who directly engaged with legislators during the 2025 legislative session. They advocated for critical investments, including increased funding for the Public University Support Fund (PUSF), expanded access to the Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG), and support for Student Basic Needs (SBN) initiatives and shared their stories about the impact of having access to regional institutions for education was crucial to meeting them where they’re at.

“Regional universities like EOU are essential to the success of students across Oregon,” said President Ryan. “Our students’ voices are powerful advocates for the resources and opportunities they—and future generations—need to thrive.”

All four TRU presidents participated in the event, alongside government relations teams and additional faculty and staff. EOU’s participation in TRU Lobby Day highlights EOU’s commitment to student success, expanding educational opportunity, and strengthening Oregon’s rural and regional communities.