Eastern Oregon University > Academics > EOU Writing Center opens doors in Cook Memorial Library’s “The Studio” space

EOU Writing Center opens doors in Cook Memorial Library’s “The Studio” space

Oct. 19, 2023

EOU Writing Center opens doors in Cook Memorial Library’s “The Studio” space

Eastern Oregon University student Renee Blincoe will be a writing tutor for area high school students, college students, or community members as the EOU Community Writing Center gets underway at the Cook Memorial Library on Mondays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (EOU photograph / Michael K. Dakota)

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The EOU Community Writing Center opened its doors on Monday, Oct. 2, for the community and students to help foster a culture of strong writing support. 

Open during the fall term, with plans to continue serving the community throughout each term, the EOU Community Writing Center is now open every Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The writing center is staffed by EOU Writing Center tutors.

“I thought it was going to be a good opportunity,” EOU third-year student Renee Blincoe said. “I want to be a high school teacher, and this will help me get a feel for what that might be like.”

The writing center serves a dual purpose: the initiative aligns with Eastern Oregon University’s mission of connecting rural regions of Oregon to a wider world through education and simultaneously compliments Cook Memorial Library’s dedication to providing resources and services that foster lifelong learning for all community members. 

By giving EOU Writing Center writing tutors, who are enrolled students at Eastern Oregon University, opportunities to tutor in a community setting, Dr. Sheri Rysdam, EOU Writing Center Director, who spearheaded the project, said the program helps support the academic and professional development of EOU writing tutors. Community members benefit from having access to college writing tutors for their various writing needs.

“There’s a lot of stuff I can learn from tutoring,” Blincoe said. “We can help anyone who walks in the door, from resumes to just brainstorming ideas for a paper.”