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 four fabulous regional universities in Oregon. I’m grateful to all who participated in making this day a success!

We’re still working hard to get results from our lobbying efforts. Today, I am delivering testimony to the Joint Ways and Means Committee alongside students attending Oregon’s public universities in support of funding. Tomorrow, Thursday, May 1, I am again presenting, alongside others from the Technical and Regional Universities, to the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.

While in Salem last week, I met a student who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Services Administration. He shared that he took classes for over a decade to reach this milestone, and he’s now thrilled that his child will be attending the university. His persistence inspired me. We create generational opportunities and expectations when we can educate just one individual. It’s so powerful!

Last Friday, I watched our softball team defeat Southern Oregon University after playing for 15 innings. I’ve never seen a game like that. Inning after inning, showing up, being persistent, and fighting for the win. A big shout out to Coach Nicole Christian and the entire team and staff! I was touched at the senior day presentation by how deeply each of our players was impacted by their time at EOU as students and athletes, and by how we prepared them for their next steps.

EOU’s men’s wrestling student-athletes have been named the NWCA NAIA Scholar Champions for a second straight year, with a 3.60 GPA — the highest in the country. Shout outs to these students, their coaching team, and their professors. Thank you all for prioritizing our students’ education.

It truly is our students who keep the world moving because each of us creates space for them to learn and grow.

Loads of other work is in progress. Last week, I visited Umatilla Superintendent Heidi Sipes, Hermiston High School Principal Thomas Spoo, and IMESD Superintendent Mark Mulvihill. Locally, I gathered with County Commissioner Matt Scarfo and Superintendent and Board Chair George Mendoza. Other notable work includes the Board of Trustees committee meetings – a full day focusing on the future of EOU. We also welcomed the Oregon Supreme Court to campus, where students from more than eight high schools and charter schools witnessed the judicial process firsthand. Additionally, the newly formed Union County League of Women Voters visited to discuss ways to elevate civic engagement in our community. Finally, I supported the Chronicle of Higher Education Virtual Forum on Work-Force Development as their featured speaker, bringing attention to our great work right here!  

I know each of you is very busy too, balancing the many demands on your plates.  Know that I am thinking of you.

Sincerely,