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 the retreats I attended was the Coalition of the Oregon Public Universities, OPU (formerly OCOP), where we discussed how universities will position themselves now and in the future. As you can imagine, these were heavy conversations as many institutions are navigating deep cuts. We also met with our very own Board of Trustees to have similar conversations about the present and future of the university and to evaluate our own fiscal health and goals. I am grateful to the all-volunteer Trustees and the Presidents of Oregon’s Public Universities for their engagement and willingness to solve challenges together.

We’ve also spent a great deal of time digging deeply into EOU’s present and future with faculty, staff, and administration. Last week, the vice presidents presented their visions, challenges, and opportunities to the EOU Leadership Group to get feedback and build momentum. At the end of this month, this same group will participate in professional development, and the cabinet will have additional training focused on better communication, as well as change management accountability.

Last week, I also had the opportunity to meet up with our friends from Wenzao University during their visit to Oregon.  We built some next steps in our partnership and deepened our relationships.  And a few weeks earlier, I attended the Eastern Oregon Economic Summit, where legislators, not-for-profits, and businesses came together to converse and get up to speed on major issues in our region.  

Recently, I had the opportunity to update the campus on major news at our University Updates.  It was nice to see so many individuals tuning in, and I’m hopeful we will have continued engagement. I feel these moments are really important to prevent the very natural instinct of filling in information or assuming motivations when we are in search of answers.  Please remember, it’s okay to ask questions. In fact, it’s helpful.

EOU continues to receive well-deserved recognition for our support of student success. If you have not recently viewed the EOU Distinctions & Recognitions webpage, I encourage you to do so. Here are some of the most current.

• EOU has been recognized as a 2024-25 Champions of Character® Five-Star Institution Gold Winner. Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches, staff and faculty. The support, encouragement, leadership, and high standards are truly impactful.
• The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has honored EOU’s women’s volleyball team with the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award for “matching our volleyball achievements with academic excellence.” To receive this national award, the team must achieve a combined GPA of 3.3 or higher in the 2024-2025 academic year. A big thank you and congratulations to our student-athletes and Coach McLean Morehead, who went above and beyond, earning an impressive team GPA of 3.649!  
• Eastern Oregon University has been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2025 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in developing and supporting dynamic, innovative pathways for community college transfer students.
• Congratulations to the College of Education for its new program approval from NWCCU for the Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership program.

Kate Gekeler, graduate of the Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Program and very beloved former employee of EOU, gave a speech and attended the signing of legislation promoting Behavioral Health initiatives with Governor Kotek! Love her smile in this photo!!

With gratitude, appreciation, and congratulations, I am proud to announce that Bennie Moses-Mesubed has received the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates award. Congratulations, Bennie, and thank you for all you do for our students.  We are honored to work alongside you!

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President