Arts & culture | Press release

Western Oregon University’s Smith Fine Arts Series opens season with international jazz singer Halie Loren

Posted on September 29, 2021 839 views
The Smith Fine Arts Series at Western Oregon University (WOU) is pleased to celebrate its 44th season returning to live, in-person performances at Rice Auditorium on the WOU campus. The 2021-22 season includes six events, and each begin at 7:30 p.m.   The season opens on Friday, Oct. 8 with international jazz singer/songwriter Halie Loren. [more…]
Education

Western Oregon University receives $2.1 million to increase support for DeafBlind individuals

Posted on September 29, 2021 625 views
The DeafBlind Interpreting National Training & Resource Center (DBI) in Western Oregon University’s Research & Resource Center with Deaf* Communities received a $2.1 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The grant supports the DBI’s work to increase the number of qualified Protactile language interpreters with the expertise to [more…]
Class of 2021 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Ruby Van Dyke

Posted on July 2, 2021 3550 views
Ruby Van Dyke is a 2021 graduate from Santa Rosa, California. Their major is Gerontology: Aging and Older Adulthood.    Why did you choose WOU?  I chose WOU because it is one of two schools in the Northwest (NorCal to Washington) with a bachelor’s in gerontology, and I love the rain more than anything.    [more…]
Business & global affairs | Class of 2021

Grad Profile: Raynie Ehret

Posted on July 2, 2021 2533 views
Raynie Ehret is a 2021 graduate from Olympia, Washington. She is a Business major with a concentration in Marketing/Management, plus a minor in Spanish with a certificate in Translating and Interpreting.   What has your experience been like as a student in the Honors Program? Yes, I am a part of the Honors Program at [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Karina Ortiz Ramirez

Posted on July 1, 2021 1968 views
Karina Ortiz Ramirez is a 2021 graduate from Salem, Oregon. Her major is Early Childhood/Elementary Education, with a minor in ESOL/Bilingual Education.    How has being a Dreamer impacted your journey to and within college? Being a Dreamer impacted my journey to and within college by always giving me the motivation to keep going and [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Morgan McLain

Posted on July 1, 2021 1928 views
Morgan McLain is a 2021 graduate from Roseburg, Oregon. He completed an Elementary Master of Arts in Teaching degree.   Are you a transfer student? If so, where did you transfer from and what has the experience been like? The eMAT Graduate Program was my first experience at Western Oregon University. The experience that I’ve [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Suzanne Duda

Posted on June 30, 2021 95 views
Suzanne Duda is a 2021 Master’s Program graduate from Albany, Oregon. She is majoring in Elementary Education.   Why did you choose WOU?  I chose WOU for several reasons. First, I was already familiar with WOU, having earned my paralegal certification there, and because I had worked in the Public Relations department for a year. [more…]
Class of 2021 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Emily Creasy

Posted on June 29, 2021 97 views
Emily Creasy is a 2021 graduate from Gladstone, Oregon. She is a Social Science major with a concentration in Political Science, plus a minor in Psychology. She is also WOU’s Honorary Political Science Student of the Year.   What has the experience been like as a transfer student? I transferred from Clackamas Community College. I [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2021

Grad Profile: Lily Collinsworth

Posted on June 29, 2021 90 views
Lily Collinsworth is a 2021 graduate from Keizer, Oregon. She is an English major.   What has the experience been like as a transfer student? I transferred from Chemeketa Community College after I earned my AAOT. While it was tough to transition to a university-level workload, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the level [more…]
Class of 2021 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Karen Silva

Posted on June 28, 2021 97 views
Karen Silva is a 2021 graduate from Rigby, Idaho. She is a Biology major with a Pre-Professional focus.   How has being a Dreamer impacted your journey to and within college?  Being a Dreamer at times made it challenging to go through college, being a first-gen student and trying to figure a couple things out [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Jasmine Altamirano

Posted on June 27, 2021 133 views
Jasmine Altamirano is a 2021 graduate from Portland, Ore. She has earned a Master of Science in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, plus a minor in ESOL Education.    What has your experience been like as a first-generation student? I feel a lot of pride in saying that I am the first person in my family [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Emily Grande-DePriest

Posted on June 27, 2021 100 views
Emily Grande-DePriest is a 2021 graduate from Dufur, Oregon. She is an Early Childhood Studies major with a minor in History.    Why did you choose WOU?  Originally, I wanted to study both education and ASL, and WOU offers both programs. When I changed my major and minor to Early Childhood Studies (ECS) and History, [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Elli Manoogian-O’Dell

Posted on June 26, 2021 89 views
Elli Manoogian-O’Dell is a 2021 graduate, earning a Master’of Arts in Teaching. She is from Corvallis, Oregon.   What has been your most memorable class?  I took a class from Professor Wu during fall term that really changed how I feel about teaching. We discussed curriculum, assessment, and classroom management through the lens of racial [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Heather Casey

Posted on June 26, 2021 193 views
Heather Casey is a 2021 graduate from Kingman, Arizona. She is majoring in ASL/English Interpreting, with a minor in ASL Studies.    What has your experience been like as a transfer student? I transferred to WOU from Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, Arizona in 2018. I have absolutely loved my experience at WOU, and I [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2021

Grad Profile: Erin Worley

Posted on June 25, 2021 92 views
Erin Worley is a 2021 graduate from Dallas, Oregon. She is an Integrated English Studies major with a minor in Communication Studies.    What has your experience been like as a student in the Honors Program?  I have been involved with WOU’s Honors Program since freshman year, and I have really enjoyed my time in [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2021

Grad Profile: Cheyan Swan

Posted on June 25, 2021 93 views
Student in a red graduation robe crouching down and smiling in front of WOU sign
Cheyan Swan is a 2021 graduate from Las Vegas, Nevada. They are a Writing major with a minor in Sociology.    What has your experience been like as a student in the Honors Program?  I’ve spent four years in the Honors Program. Although it’s admittedly a lot of work, this program has offered me so [more…]
Class of 2021 | Health & wellness

Grad Profile: Jenny Rooper

Posted on June 24, 2021 166 views
Jenny Rooper is a 2021 graduate from Silverton, Oregon. She is a Pre-Med major.    What has your experience been like as a student in the Honors Program?  Yes, I am an honors student! I’ve really enjoyed the Honors Program here at WOU, especially in comparison to how it’s run at other schools. Though occasionally [more…]
Business & global affairs | Class of 2021

Grad Profile: N.J. Johnson

Posted on June 24, 2021 161 views
N.J. Johnson is a 2021 graduate from Scappoose, Oregon. He is majoring in Public Policy and Administration, with a minor in Organizational Leadership. N.J. has also served as ASWOU President, and he has received the title of Public Policy and Administration Student of the Year.   Why did you choose WOU?  I chose WOU for [more…]
Business & global affairs | Class of 2021

Grad Profile: Juliana Cameron

Posted on June 23, 2021 145 views
Juliana Cameron is a 2021 graduate from Marysville, Washington. She is majoring in Business with a focus in Marketing, and her minor is Health. Juliana is also an award winner from WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where she was recognized as the Don Boderman Volunteer of the Year, as well as being an IFC Committee member. [more…]
Class of 2021 | Health & wellness

Grad Profile: Parker Marson

Posted on June 23, 2021 206 views
Parker Marson is a 2021 graduate from Pleasant Hill, California. He is majoring in Exercise Science with two minors in Human Biology and Chemistry.    Why did you choose WOU?  I chose Western because of the success of the track and field team, and I was sold by how beautiful the campus was. The small [more…]
Class of 2021 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Emily Beck

Posted on June 22, 2021 195 views
Emily Beck is a 2021 graduate from Springfield, Oregon. She is majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Health. Emily is also an award winner from WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where she received the Psychology Peer Advising Leadership Award.   Why did you choose WOU?  I chose WOU because it was close to home, affordable, [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2021 | Grad profiles

Grad Profile: Natalie Dean

Posted on June 21, 2021 314 views 1 comment
Natalie Dean is a 2021 graduate from Eugene, Oregon. She is an English major with a concentration in Writing, and she is an award winner for WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where she was recognized for earning a Leadership Certificate.   What has your experience been like as a first-generation student? I was so nervous to [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education | Health & wellness

Grad Profile: Carlos Fonseca Jr.

Posted on June 21, 2021 221 views
Carlos Fonseca Jr. is a 2021 graduate from Klamath Falls, Oregon. He is a double major in Exercise Science and Physical Education Teacher Education. Carlos is also an award winner from WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where he was given a Distinguished Student Leader award, the Arbor Park and Barnum Resident Assistant of the Year award, [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Leslie Rincon

Posted on June 20, 2021 98 views
Leslie Rincon is a 2021 graduate from Monmouth, Oregon. Her major is in Early Childhood Studies (ECS).   What has the experience been like as a transfer student? I transferred from Chemeketa. I earned my degree in Early Childhood Education and my Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT). It was really easy to transfer over [more…]
Class of 2021 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Nick Cabacungan

Posted on June 19, 2021 759 views
Nick Cabacungan is a 2021 graduate from Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a Biology major with a concentration in Pre-Professional Studies, plus a minor in Chemistry.    What has been your most memorable class?  The most memorable class has to be Physics with Dr. Schoenfeld. Although his class was tough, he has taught me how to [more…]
Class of 2021 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Antonia Scholerman

Posted on June 18, 2021 802 views
Antonia Scholerman is a 2021 graduate from Bend, Ore. She is a History major with a minor in Art History. Antonia is also an award winner from WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where she was recognized with a Distinguished Student Leader award.   What has been your favorite annual event at WOU?  The Holiday Tree Lighting [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Jeanette A. Betancourt Garcia

Posted on June 18, 2021 715 views
Jeanette A. Betancourt Garcia is a 2021 graduate from Independence, Ore. She is an Education major with a minor in Bilingual Education/ESOL Endorsement.   What has your experience been like as a first-generation student?  My experience has been challenging throughout the years, since I am the second one in my family to attend college. My [more…]
Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Alondra M. Bocanegra Guerrero

Posted on June 17, 2021 716 views
Alondra M. Bocanegra Guerrero is a 2021 graduate from Independence, Oregon. She is an Early Childhood/Elementary Education major, with a minor in English to Speakers of Other Languages.   What has your experience been like as a first-generation student? It has definitely been beyond challenging to navigate through this process all by myself, but I [more…]
Class of 2021 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Lily Gallagher

Posted on June 15, 2021 449 views
Lily Gallagher is a 2021 graduate from Independence, Oregon. She is a Psychology major with a minor in Gender Studies, and she is an award winner from WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where she was given the Abby’s House Social Justice Award.   What has the experience been like as a transfer student? Yes! I transferred [more…]
Academics | Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Trani Rae Morton

Posted on June 14, 2021 390 views
Trani Rae Morton is a 2021 graduate from Chino Hills, California. She is a double major in American Sign Language/English Interpreting and ASL Studies.   What has been your most memorable class?  I really can’t name just one. I love all of my teachers and the staff interpreters at WOU. If one [specifically] was life [more…]
Academics | Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Danielle Cramer

Posted on June 13, 2021 148 views
Danielle Cramer is a 2021 graduate from Keizer, Oregon. She’s graduating with an Elementary Master of Arts in Teaching, along with a minor in ESOL Endorsement.   What has been your most memorable class?  My most memorable class during my eMAT program was 615: Critical Inquiry into the Foundational Narratives of Schooling with Dr. Dana [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2021 | Grad profiles

Grad Profile: Kaeli Hancock

Posted on May 26, 2021 1258 views
Kaeli Hancock is a 2021 graduate from Prineville, Oregon. Their major is Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production Training with a concentration in Stage Management.    What has been your most memorable class?  My most memorable class has definitely been History of Architecture and Decor with Scott Grim. We created our own handwritten textbooks with [more…]
Academics | Class of 2021 | Education

Grad Profile: Adam Schaeffer

Posted on May 18, 2021 1357 views
Two people and a child holding hands and standing in front of a field of flowers
Adam Schaeffer is a 2021 graduate from Ballwin, Missouri. He’s completing a Master’s of Education with a major in Educational Technology, plus a graduate certificate in Instructional Design.   Why did you choose WOU?  WOU was local, online, affordable, and had the exact degree I was looking for!   Do you have any advice for [more…]
Class of 2021 | Health & wellness

Grad Profile: Lauren Gerig

Posted on May 17, 2021 974 views 1 comment
Lauren Gerig is a 2021 graduate from Canby, Oregon. She is majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Human Biology. Lauren is also an award winner from WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where she was recognized for earning a Leadership Certificate.   What has been your most memorable class?  The Anatomy and Physiology sequence was [more…]
Academics

WOU Faculty Help Create Improved Willamette Promise Spanish Proficiency Exam

Posted on April 29, 2021 1111 views
Painted WOU logo on a street with brick buildings and trees in fall in the background
This past year, WOU faculty Dr. Patricia Gimenez-Eguibar and Dr. Claudia Costagliola have collaborated with the Willamette Promise team to create a more easily accessible and diverse Spanish proficiency exam to reward potential WOU students with Spanish credits. Their primary goals and following achievements were centered on designing a secure online assessment—given our current virtual [more…]
Academics

WOU Student and Sociology Professor Co-Write Peer Reviewed Paper

Posted on April 12, 2021 1790 views
Aerial view of campus. Todd Hall in the foreground.
Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with student Quentin Kanta ‘23 about a peer-reviewed paper he co-wrote with visiting assistant professor in the Sociology Department, Dr. Evan Shenkin. Soon, the paper will be published in the United Nations Encyclopedia of Sustainable Development. Kanta, a Political Science major and Social Science minor from Grants Pass, [more…]
Academics

WOU Introduces the Accelerated Undergraduate to Master’s Pathway

Posted on April 7, 2021 1664 views
Street view of the large Hamersly Library, a three-story building with many windows.
Beginning fall 2021, WOU is opening up a new avenue of opportunity to prospective master’s degree students. The Accelerated Undergraduate to Master’s Pathway (AUMP) allows current WOU seniors to complete both undergraduate and graduate credits at once, with a long-term potential of receiving their master’s degree early. Seniors can take up to 16 credits that [more…]
Academics

Commencement 2021 Update

Posted on March 30, 2021 1633 views
A student in a red graduation cap and gown giving a peace sign
Dear 2021 grads, We appreciate your patience as we’ve worked hard to make plans for our Commencement celebration in June. Thank you to all 2021 grads who responded to our survey about Commencement. From the survey results, it was very clear that an overwhelming majority of grads want three things from the Commencement celebration: 1) [more…]
Academics

Training for Racial Healing and Understanding: A WOU-Led Local Initiative

Posted on March 15, 2021 1200 views 2 comments
Dr. Jaclyn Caires-Hurley, a WOU assistant professor in the Department of Education & Leadership, and Dr. Greg Willeford, a WOU Criminal Justice professor, recently created a training program titled Racial Healing and Understanding, following important and sensitive American events regarding racism in 2020. The training is designed for local communities, businesses, and administrators in the [more…]
Academics | Science & technology

WOU Secures Grant to Advance Computer Science Education

Posted on January 26, 2021 1882 views
WOU’s Dr. Lucas Cordova, assistant professor of Computer Science, has acquired a phenomenal grant that benefits WOU employees and students. The grant, a Tier 2 NSF grant that runs to October 2023, is titled “Collaborative Research: Testing Tutor – An Inquiry-Based Pedagogy and Supporting Tool to Improve Student Learning of Software Testing Concepts.” The grant’s [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Choir Changes Due to COVID-19

Posted on January 20, 2021 1632 views
WOU Concert Choir performs in McArthur Field stadium. Approximately 20 students are spread out along the red bleachers, wearing masks and face shields.
COVID-19 has, unfortunately, affected the way many of us go about our daily lives. From the switch to online distance learning to the avoidance of social gatherings, the pandemic has changed the world. However, one thing the pandemic has been unable to change is the indomitable spirit of WOU. WOU faculty, staff, and students are [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Spanish Degrees and Certificates Open Up Career Options

Posted on December 20, 2020 1854 views
Western Oregon University’s Spanish Department has three new certificates to help WOU students gain a competitive edge in the job market. The certificates are in Spanish-English Interpretation and Translation, Bilingual/Biliteracy and Social Justice and Service Learning (Bilingual). In addition to these certificate program’s, students can major in Spanish or Spanish Education, and minor in Spanish, [more…]
Academics | Health & wellness

Student Contact Tracers Gain Professional Skills While Aiding Polk County

Posted on December 18, 2020 2120 views
Exterior of Peter Courtney Health and Wellness Center
[This story is a follow-up piece to “WOU Students are Training to Be Contact Tracers”]   In the initial months of the pandemic, WOU faculty collaborated with Polk County Public Health to create a student-led COVID-19 contact tracing initiative. The group was gathered, trained, and instructed by Assistant Professors of Community Health Megan Patton-Lopez and [more…]
Academics | Science & technology

New Criminal Justice Major in 2021: Cybersecurity

Posted on December 16, 2020 1736 views
Beginning fall term 2021, WOU’s Criminal Justice Sciences Division will have a new major, a Bachelor of Science in Cybercrime Investigation and Enforcement, also known as Cybersecurity. The major will require 72 total credits, which are broken down into four main groups: criminal justice, cybercrime investigation and enforcement, information systems, and electives. The mission of this [more…]
Academics

WOU Students Brighten Residents’ Days at Emerald Pointe Senior Living Community

Posted on December 3, 2020 1328 views
Bright yellow, pink, and orange flowers stand out against dark green foliage
WOU students are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. This summer, as part of a community service project, four students committed to brightening the days of residents of Emerald Pointe Senior Living Community in Keizer. The four students, Hannah Childress, Derek Holdsworth, Keyna Hurd, and Sheyenne White, sent letters and flowers to the residents, [more…]
Academics

Tips for Creating a Productive Testing Environment at Home

Posted on December 1, 2020 1209 views
Street view of the large Hamersly Library, a three-story building with many windows.
Even though it seems impossible, the end of the term is quickly approaching. With fall term being 95% online, it’s highly likely that you’ll have at least a couple tests to take from home throughout the term. We’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to help create a productive testing environment within your own space. [more…]
Academics

How to Stay Motivated as the Days Get Darker

Posted on November 29, 2020 1088 views
A dark gray sky with clouds and a silhouette of many trees along the bottom of the photograph
With the fall time change, the sun sets considerably earlier, and we have lost a lot of daytime brightness. Unfortunately, as we head into winter, the days will only get shorter, and these dark, gloomy skies will stick around. For a lot of students, this darkness can lead them to feel unmotivated, unproductive, and unenthusiastic. [more…]
Academics | Education

New Faculty Q&A: Leanne Cusack

Posted on November 17, 2020 1774 views
Dr. Leanne Cusack is a new WOU Health and Exercise Science assistant professor. She’s attended University of Waterloo (Canada) and Oregon State University, and she’s been teaching at a university level for about 10 years. This term, she is teaching Epidemiology and Infectious Disease/Injury Prevention. Cuasack’s office can be found at RWEC 237.   Why [more…]
Academics

Winter Registration: What Students Need to Know

Posted on November 16, 2020 1010 views
WOU sign at the front of campus, glossy black with gold lettering, greenery behind it. Campus appears wet from rain.
Registration for winter term opens today! With WOU classes continuing to be conducted primarily online through winter term, registration looks different than years past. There are some important things that students need to be aware of. Here’s what you need to know:  All students should have received an email with their registration date and time.  [more…]
Academics

WOU Supports Students Studying in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling with $2 Million in Grants

Posted on November 5, 2020 1813 views
Aerial view of Western Oregon University campus with the tops of several brick buildings, lots of trees, a track, and rolling hills in the background
As a child of Afghanistan immigrants and the only Deaf person in her family, Durkhanai Haque knew she wanted to work with diverse Deaf or hard of hearing international communities. It was her father’s work as a respected radiologist in their small Georgia town, and the community’s acceptance of him, that inspired her to seek [more…]
Academics

New Faculty Q&A: Yuliana Kenfield

Posted on November 1, 2020 1447 views
Dr. Yuliana Kenfield is a new WOU Education and Leadership assistant professor, who is teaching two classes this term: ED 446  Environments for Diverse Learners and ED 352 Social Studies Teaching Methods. She has attended Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, and University of New Mexico, and she has been [more…]
Academics | Education

New Faculty Q&A: Lin Wu

Posted on October 28, 2020 1356 views
Dr. Lin Wu is a new assistant professor for the Education and Leadership department. Wu has spent seven years teaching in K-12 and four years teaching in higher education. Wu graduated from the University of Washington and is currently instructing two classes at WOU: ED 418 Assessment, Planning, and Instruction; as well as ED 623 [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Juvenile Justice Week Begins October 19

Posted on October 18, 2020 1272 views
The Criminal Justices Sciences Division is sponsoring Juvenile Justice Week, beginning October 19, with three events happening online. Lived Experiences in the Juvenile Justice System panel discussion Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 from 6-8pm Register to reserve your space. The panelists: Catherine Jones is an advocate with the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. She [more…]
Academics

New Faculty Q & A: Jay Schwartz

Posted on October 14, 2020 1189 views
Assistant Professor of Psychological Science Jay Schwartz smiles for a photograph. He is wearing a white printed shirt and is standing in the woods.
This is the first in a series featuring new WOU faculty members. We spoke with Jay Schwartz, assistant professor of psychological science. We asked him about his road to WOU, information about the classes he’s teaching this term, and what he likes to do when he’s not working. Check out his answers below. Why did [more…]
Academics | Alumni | Education

Alumni Profile: Jordawn Jones

Posted on August 31, 2020 1382 views
WOU alum Jordawn Jones smiles for a photograph. Jones is wearing a black shirt, and has long brown hair.
As part of our ongoing alumni feature series, we spoke with 2014 graduate, Jordawn Jones, who majored in Exercise Science with a minor in Human Biology. Jones is now working as the Head Athletic Trainer and adjunct faculty at Sierra Nevada University. Why did you choose WOU? I planned to attend WOU to play basketball [more…]
Academics | Alumni | Business & global affairs

Alumni Profile: Casey Brown

Posted on August 28, 2020 1397 views
WOU alum Casey Brown smiles in his red graduation cap. He is wearing a black WOU shirt with red lettering, and a tan tassel hangs from his cap, displaying his graduation year (2020)
As part of a new feature series, we are catching up with WOU alumni to see where life has led them after graduation. Next up is Casey Brown ’20, from Independence, Oregon. Since graduation, Casey has been working as a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual, and as a supervisor at Little Caesars on the weekends. [more…]
Academics | Alumni | Social & behavioral sciences

Alumni Profile: Curtis Holbert

Posted on August 26, 2020 8519 views
Curtis Holbert graduated from WOU in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in History and a minor in Writing. Holbert is from Burns, Oregon, but currently works as a Title Examiner in Redmond, Oregon.   What is your current position?  Title Examiner. I research deed records, as well as other public record items to issue reports [more…]
Science & technology

Alumni Profile: Francisco Aranda

Posted on August 18, 2020 1334 views
Francisco Aranda graduated from WOU in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Business and a minor in Spanish. In 2015, Aranda graduated from WOU with a master’s degree in Management and Information Systems, and now works as a product analyst at Nike.   Why did you choose WOU? In my sophomore year of high school, [more…]
Arts & culture

Two WOU Ensembles Named Finalists for Prestigious Awards

Posted on August 5, 2020 1644 views
Western Oregon Chamber Singers pose in front of a large sign that reads "WOU" in red font. The 25 members are wearing black dresses or black dress shirts with red ties. They are standing outside, and there are multiple trees with bright green leaves in the background.
The above photograph is of Western Oregon University Chamber Singers.  Western Oregon University is home to many talented musicians. With 14 different ensembles, WOU is bursting with musical performers from many different backgrounds, all showcasing their unique talents. Recently, two of these ensembles were awarded as finalists in prestigious categories: Western Oregon University Chamber Singers [more…]
Academics | Alumni | Business & global affairs

Alumni Profile: Kelsee Coito

Posted on July 27, 2020 1963 views
Kelsee Coito graduated from WOU in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Business. Coito is originally from Mililani, Hawaii, but currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, working as a Marketing Ambassador for Topgolf.   Why did you choose WOU? I originally chose WOU for the cheerleading program.    What advice do you have for future [more…]
Alumni | Business & global affairs

Two WOU Business Owners Use Creativity To Create Community During Pandemic

Posted on July 3, 2020 1932 views
Tables with umbrellas in a parking lot
Two Western Oregon University alumni business owners have found there’s a solution to every problem, even one that seems like it is taking them on a wild, stop-and-go roller coaster ride. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered how Dawson Officer ’06 of 4 Spirits Distillery in Corvallis and Angela Anderson ‘99 of Syndicate Wine Bar in [more…]
Academics

WOU Adds New Programs and Certificates To Meet Career Demands

Posted on July 1, 2020 2042 views
A student works on the computer.
Western Oregon University added six new programs and nine certificates in the last academic year that will prepare students for careers in growing job markets or to advance their careers. WOU Biology Professor and outgoing Faculty Senate President Kristin Latham-Scott said adding a new curriculum takes into consideration the changing demographics, interests and needs of [more…]
Education

WOU Students Are Training To Be Contact Tracers

Posted on June 23, 2020 2231 views
Peter Courtney Health and Wellness Center.
Western Oregon University Community Health students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to serve as contact tracers in Polk County. WOU’s Health and Exercise Science Division and Polk County Health Services professionals are collaborating to develop and implement a COVID-19 Prevention and Contact Tracing program that meets the [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Jennifer Romadka

Posted on June 19, 2020 1823 views
WOU graduate Jennifer Romadka smiles in her red cap and gown in front of bright pink flowers.
Jennifer Romadka is a graduating Public Policy and Administration student from Beaverton. During her time at WOU, Jennifer has participated in the Honors Program and multiple student leadership positions. What has your experience been like as an Honors Program student? My experience in honors has pushed me academically, personally, and professionally in all the ways [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Jose Raul Magana Mendoza

Posted on June 19, 2020 2142 views
Jose Raul Magana Mendoza is an Early Childhood/Elementary Education major with a minor in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). He is from Salem. As an outstanding 2020 graduate, we interviewed Magana about his most notable experiences from WOU, as well as his future plans.   What has your experience been like as a [more…]
Academics | Class of 2020

Grad Profile: Blanca Miranda-Aguilar

Posted on June 18, 2020 1764 views
Blanca Miranda-Aguilar is an Interdisciplinary Studies major from Arroyo Grande, Calif. As a 2020 graduate, we interviewed her on college memories and lessons learned.   What has your experience been like as a first-generation student? Yes, I am a first-generation student. I was lucky enough to find and get the help of the Multicultural Student [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Kelsie Greenhill

Posted on June 18, 2020 1630 views
Kelsie Greenhill is a Public Policy and Administration major with a minor in Spanish. She is from Willamina, Ore. As a notable 2020 graduate, we interviewed Greenhill on her favorite aspects of WOU and fond memories from college.   What has the experience been like as a transfer student? I transferred from Chemeketa Community College. [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Taylor Dowler

Posted on June 17, 2020 1238 views
WOU graduate Taylor Dowler smiles in her red graduation cap and gown, and proudly shows off her diploma.
Taylor Dowler is a graduating Political Science student from Portland. She transferred to WOU from Mount Hood Community College, and has actively been involved with numerous extracurricular activities on campus, including Model United Nations and ASWOU. What has your experience as a transfer student been like? I originally obtained my Associates Degree from Mount Hood [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2020

Grad Profile: Kayli Smith

Posted on June 17, 2020 1393 views
Kayli Smith is an art major with a concentration in ceramics, as well as a minor in art history. Her hometown is Dallas, Ore. As a 2020 graduate, we interviewed Smith about her experience at WOU and her future plans.   Why did you choose WOU?  Ceramics has always been a class that I felt [more…]
Business & global affairs | Class of 2020

Grad Profile: Kranti Budhathoki

Posted on June 16, 2020 1252 views
Man wearing sunglasses and smiling with blue sky in background
Kranti Budhathoki is a graduating student from Kathmandu, Nepal. He is completing a degree in Business, and has been involved with many campus activities, including PLUS team, Associated Students of Western Oregon University, and working for WOU’s Strategic Communications and Marketing. What has your experience been like as an international student? I loved being here [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Emily Swart

Posted on June 15, 2020 1640 views
Emily Swart is an Interdisciplinary Studies major from Salem, Ore., the two focuses of her major being humanities and social science. As an outstanding non-traditional graduate, we interviewed Swart on her most memorable experiences here, as well as her takeaways from college as a whole.   Why did you choose WOU?  I come from a [more…]
Academics | Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Leah Coyle

Posted on June 15, 2020 1118 views
Leah Coyle is a Communication Studies major from Portland, Ore., who has also completed a minor in Humanities. As an outstanding graduate, we interviewed her on her WOU experience, including her favorite memories and the lessons she’s learned.   Are you a first-generation student? What has your experience been like? I am the first member [more…]
Class of 2020 | Science & technology | test

Grad Profile: Jonny Watt

Posted on June 14, 2020 1199 views
Jonathon “Jonny” Watt is an Elementary/Middle School Education major with a concentration in Middle School Mathematics. He is a Kansas City, Kansas. As an outstanding 2020 graduate, we interviewed Watt on his favorite aspects of WOU and his future plans for after graduation.   Why did you choose WOU?  I chose WOU because I was [more…]
Class of 2020 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Kelly Soto

Posted on June 14, 2020 828 views
Kelly Soto is a graduating nursing student from Ontario, California. She transferred to WOU from Chemeketa Community College, where she completed her nursing prerequisites and obtained her Associate Arts of Oregon Transfer degree. As an outstanding WOU 2020 graduate, we interviewed Soto about her college experience and future plans.   What has your experience been [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

2020 Delmer Dewey/Julia McCulloch Smith Award: D-Dré Wright

Posted on June 13, 2020 962 views
D-Dré Wright ’20 has a penchant for acronyms, especially one that inspired and guided her success at Western Oregon University. Wright recalls arranging three words in her mind when she finally decided she was going to ACE everything in her life – Accept, Change and/or Embrace it. From competing on three intramural athletic teams to [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

2020 Delmer Dewey/Julia McCulloch Smith Award: Monica Cerda Ortiz

Posted on June 13, 2020 1156 views
Woman with a Homecoming crown
As a first-generation and low-income student, Monica Cerda Ortiz ’20 started her freshman year of college feeling powerless and not knowing where she belonged. That quickly changed as she learned the importance of finding campus groups where she felt represented and supported at Western Oregon University. She is grateful for the WOU faculty, staff, students [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Gabriela Acevedo-Solis

Posted on June 11, 2020 1207 views
WOU graduate Gabriela Acevedo-Solis poses in her red graduation gown. She is wearing multiple cords and stoles, representing the numerous organizations she has been involved throughout her time at WOU.
Gabriela Acevedo-Solis is a graduating student, who will be receiving a degree in Middle/High School Social Science Education student with a minor in Spanish. She is from Independence, and has been involved in numerous extracurriculars during her time at WOU, including the Multicultural Student Union, Student Engagement, and multiple volunteer organizations.   How has being [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Scholarship Recipient: Kenneth Carano

Posted on June 11, 2020 836 views
Family in Greece
Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Scholarship winner Associate Professor Kenneth Carano aspires to use his knowledge and status to listen and learn from others’ voices. “Using my white male privilege to be a co-conspirator in working towards giving less-privileged voices a chance to be heard is a critical part of my field’s [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Erin Ritchie

Posted on June 10, 2020 994 views
WOU grad Erin Ritchie smiles in front of red flowers. She is wearing a white floral dress and a brown jacket with matching boots.
Graduating student Erin Ritchie will be completing a degree in Sociology this spring, with a minor in Psychology. Originally from Newport, she transferred to WOU from Linn-Benton Community College, and has been involved with CIP, Abby’s House, and Student Success and Advising during her time at WOU.   Where did you transfer from and what [more…]
Class of 2020 | Science & technology

Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching: Kristin Latham-Scott

Posted on June 10, 2020 1053 views
Professor dressed for graduation
Western Oregon University Biology Professor Kristin Latham-Scott hopes she engages her students with mind-expanding topics while also providing them the skills to tackle the challenges.  Her dedication, creativity and enthusiasm to create student-centered learning spaces has earned Latham-Scott this year’s Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching.  “I hope my students take with them [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Karina Lopez

Posted on June 9, 2020 1081 views
Karina Lopez is a Communication Studies major and a Health minor from Independence. As an outstanding 2020 graduate, we interviewed Lopez about her experiences being a first generation student and a leader to her peers in our campus community.   What has your experience as a first-generation student been like? My experience as a first-generation [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Zoe Noel Cawthon

Posted on June 8, 2020 1352 views
Zoe Noel Cawthon is a philosophy major from Salem. As a 2020 graduate, we interviewed Cawthon on her most notable memories and life lessons from WOU.   What has been your most memorable class? My most memorable class was Forensic Anthropology with Jerielle Cartales! It has nothing to do with my major, and I took [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Danel Camacho

Posted on June 7, 2020 1151 views
Danel Camacho is a Community Health Education major and a Human Biology minor from Roseville, Calif. As a 2020 graduate, we interviewed Camacho about her experience being a transfer student, as well as her fondest memories from being a student-athlete and interacting with our WOU community as a whole.   Are you a transfer student? [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Melissa Long

Posted on June 6, 2020 1431 views
Melissa Long is a Secondary English Language Arts Education major from Bend, Ore. As an outstanding 2020 graduate, we interviewed Long on the lessons she learned during college and her favorite memories from WOU.   Where did you transfer from and what has the experience been like? I transferred to WOU from Chemeketa Community College [more…]
Class of 2020 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: April Bradley

Posted on June 6, 2020 1305 views 1 comment
WOU grad April Bradley smiles in front of her computer. She is wearing glasses and a dark blue shirt.
April Bradley is a graduating student from Aumsville, Ore., and she is completing a degree in Information Systems. While at WOU, Bradley has served as the family housing apartment manager for Alderview.   Are you a transfer student? If so, where did you transfer from and what has the experience been like? Yes, however I [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Kaela Wehrman

Posted on June 5, 2020 1506 views
Kaela Wehrman is a Secondary Education Language Arts major from Albany, Ore. As a 2020 graduate, we interviewed Wehrman on her most memorable communities and moments from WOU.   Why did you choose WOU?  I chose WOU because from the first moment I stepped on campus to tour, I could feel the sense of a [more…]
Class of 2020 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Arianna Stone

Posted on June 4, 2020 1135 views 1 comment
Arianna Stone is a Psychology major with a minor in Social Science. She is from Salem, Ore, and originally earned her Associates of Arts Oregon Transfer degree from Chemeketa Community College before transferring to WOU. As a 2020 graduate, we interviewed Stone about her impact on multiple WOU communities, her fondest memories, and her future [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Susiele Koga Truong

Posted on June 4, 2020 1504 views 1 comment
WOU graduate Susiele Koga Truong smiles in front of a railing.She is wearing a blue striped jumpsuit and a light wash denim jacket. She is holding an iced coffee and there is lush greenery behind her.
Susiele Koga Truong is a first-generation graduating student from Wailuku, Maui. She is a Community Health Education major, with a minor in Human Biology.   Are you a first-generation student? What has your experience been like? Yes, I’m a first-generation student and my experience through college has been eye opening and not only an experience [more…]
Class of 2020 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Salvador Garcia Lopez

Posted on June 3, 2020 1232 views
Person sitting in a red graduation cap and gown, smiling
Salvador Garcia Lopez is an Earth Science major with a minor in Biology. He is from Portland, Ore. As a 2020 graduate, we interviewed Lopez on his favorite experiences from WOU and his plans for after graduation.   Where did you transfer from and what has the experience been like? In the fall of 2017, [more…]
Class of 2020 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Natalie Legras

Posted on June 3, 2020 1106 views
WOU graduate Natalie Legras smiles in front of a brick wall with green plants below. She is wearing a striped shirt, blue jeans, and a WOU graduation cap.
Natalie Legras is a graduating student who is completing a double major in Information Systems and Humanities, with a minor in Business. She is from Scio, Ore., and has participated in the Honors program while at WOU.    Are you a first-generation student? What has your experience been like? Neither of my parents graduated from [more…]
Business & global affairs | Class of 2020

Grad Profile: Zoe Chan-Tuyub

Posted on June 2, 2020 1394 views
WOU graduate Zoe Chan-Tuyub stands in front of the Natural Science building on campus. She is wearing a white shirt, black pants, a red graduation cap, and a white stole with multiple cords.
Zoe Chan-Tuyub is a graduating Business student from Sherwood, Ore. Throughout her time at WOU, Chan-Tuyub has participated in many extracurriculars, including PLUS Team, Kappa Delta Chi sorority, and Alternative Break.   Are you a first-generation student? What has your experience been like? My experience as a first-generation student has been amazing. Since I started [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Faith Van Putten

Posted on June 2, 2020 1391 views 1 comment
WOU graduate Faith Van Putten smiles in her red graduation cap. She is leaning against a brick wall, and has a white tassel hanging from her cap.
Faith Van Putten is a graduating Early Childhood Studies student, with a minor in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). She is from Sacramento, California, and has participated in Peer Mentors, D.R.E.A.M., and Family Building Blocks while at WOU. Why did you choose WOU? I chose WOU because of the small class sizes, their [more…]
Alumni | Education

WOU Alumna Finds Herself in the Spotlight

Posted on June 1, 2020 1286 views
People at a press conference
Western Oregon University alumna Colleen Thayer’s new high-profile assignments have placed her in a spotlight that’s slightly outside of her comfort zone. Even so, she gladly accepts the challenge, because she believes it’s important to provide accurate information to the deaf community during this unprecedented moment in history. A Certified Deaf Interpreter, Thayer has been [more…]
Academics | Science & technology

WOU Assistant Professor Defends the Shepherd of the Ecosystem

Posted on May 31, 2020 1093 views
A cougar
Western Oregon University Biology Instructor John Laundré advocates for an animal too often viewed as bloodthirsty and dangerous. A world-class ecologist, Laundré is a cougar biologist who is devoted to defending an animal he believes is misunderstood. “Cougars are the shepherds of ecosystems, keeping herbivores in their ecological place. Time after time, it has been [more…]
Academics

A Celebration of Academic Excellence

Posted on May 28, 2020 1294 views
Person standing in front of a poster and talking to a group of people
Western Oregon University student Sandra Cerda-Lezama ’20 sought to understand what causes parent-child conflict. Graduate student Leslie McLane designed a lesson plan to equip high school students with the mental tools for effectively processing cognitive dissonance in school settings and throughout their lives. Although their projects differ, both McLane and Cerda-Lezama are excited to participate [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2020 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Eva Batenhorst

Posted on May 26, 2020 1417 views
WOU student Eva Batenhorst poses for a photograph outside, against a weathered white wall. She is wearing a cream colored sweater.
Eva Batenhorst will be graduating this spring, with a double major in Biology and Dance, and a minor in Physical Science. Eva is from Eugene, Oregon, and has participated in many extracurriculars during her time at WOU, including the Honors program, RHA, and PLUS team. Are you an honors student? What has your experience been [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Jon Montero

Posted on May 24, 2020 1408 views
WOU senior Jon Montero is standing in front of large rock structures. Jon is wearing a black Adidas shirt and glasses.
Jon Montero is a graduating student from Seattle, Wash., who is completing a degree in Exercise Science. Why did you choose WOU? I chose WOU because I was excited about the hands-on experience you receive when taking the courses. In the first year you practice teaching to your peers and in the second year you [more…]
Academics | Education

T.H. Gentle Professor of Education for 2021

Posted on May 23, 2020 1317 views
Richard Woodcock Education Center
When she was a middle and high school teacher in rural China, Western Oregon University Associate Professor Xiaopeng Gong observed many of her students struggled with various social and emotional challenges. “As a teacher, there were so many questions that I wanted to find an answer to but did not have a means to do [more…]
Business & global affairs | Class of 2020

Grad Profile: Megan McAllister

Posted on May 22, 2020 1993 views
WOU student Megan McAllister smiles in front of an outdoor stairwell. Megan is wearing a bright red shirt.
Megan McAllister will be graduating with a degree in Business. McAllister is from Klamath Falls, Ore., and has participated in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, as well as the Student Veterans of America club. Are you a transfer student? What has the experience been like? Yes, I transferred from Klamath Community College as a junior. [more…]
Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Maddie Hannah

Posted on May 20, 2020 1143 views
Graduate student Maddie Hannah smiles in front of bright pink flowers, with a pink flower in her hair. She is wearing a light gray WOU sweatshirt.
Maddie Hannah will be graduating from WOU’s Master of Arts in Teaching program. Originally from Rome, Georgia, she graduated from WOU with a major in Humanities and a minor in Linguistics, and has worked as a graduate assistant for the Writing Center. Are you a transfer student? What has the experience been like? I transferred [more…]
Class of 2020 | Science & technology

Grad Profile: Heidi Benham

Posted on May 18, 2020 1872 views 3 comments
WOU student Heidi Benham smiles in front of a wooden wall. She is wearing a gray shirt, red lipstick, and glasses, and there is a green flower in her hair.
Heidi Benham is a graduating student from Dayton, Ore. She is completing a degree in Mathematics, with a minor in Linguistics. After graduation, Heidi is headed to the University of Connecticut. Are you a transfer student? What has the experience been like? I transferred from the Yamhill Valley Campus of Chemeketa Community College. The faculty [more…]
Academics | Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Kailee Goodrich

Posted on May 17, 2020 2691 views 8 comments
Person smiling, standing in front of blooming trees
Kailee is graduating with degrees in both American Sign Language (ASL) Studies and ASL/English Interpretation Major, and she has also earned a minor in health. She is from Livermore, California, where she attended Las Positas Community College and completed her Associate in Arts degree before transferring to WOU. As an outstanding student and member of [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture | Class of 2020

Grad Profile: Sean Tellvik

Posted on May 15, 2020 1888 views 1 comment
Sean Tellvik is a graduating English major, with a concentration in Writing and a minor in Humanities. He is from Hillsboro, Ore., and has served an active part of our community through clubs, sub-communities, and working as a tutor at the Writing Center. We interviewed him on his most notable experiences from his years here [more…]
Academics | Class of 2020 | Education

Grad Profile: Camryn Skari

Posted on May 13, 2020 1528 views
Camryn Skari smiles for a photograph. Her hair is up, she is wearing red lipstick, and she is wearing and off-the-shoulder white shirt.
Camryn Skari will be graduating with a Masters in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling this June. In addition to being a graduate student, Camryn has worked with the WOU Foundation Phonathon team for the past three years, and has been the lead caller for two years.     What has it been like working for the [more…]
Academics | Education

Late WOU Professor Recognized for ‘Historic’ Contributions to the Field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Posted on May 10, 2020 994 views
A red bike rack that spells the name "Hank"
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities announced in early April that it was honoring the late College of Education Professor Hank Bersani in its National Historic Recognition Project 2000-2020. Bersani, a professor of special education who passed in 2012, was named a National Honoree in the project, which seeks to recognize the key [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

WOU Professor Receives International Recognition

Posted on May 7, 2020 1272 views
Western Oregon University Assistant Professor and Advisor Brooke Dolenc Nott believes her responsibilities extend beyond assisting students in navigating their college journey and career aspirations. “I want my students to know that I believe in them and that their skills, their specific path, their story is going to fulfill a need in our communities,” she said. [more…]
Academics | Alumni

Strong and Pretty – WOU Alum Competes in Strongman Competitions

Posted on May 6, 2020 1502 views 1 comment
Person cheering
Picking up logs with his bare hands, carrying a grand piano on his back, lifting a 40,000-pound monster truck and starring in “The Strongest Man in History” are a few of Robert Oberst’s accomplishments. A Western Oregon University alum, Oberst ’11 is a professional American strongman who has competed in the World’s Strongest Man competitions, [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Peter Sears Poetry Prize Winners Announced

Posted on April 30, 2020 1227 views
An open notebook with "poetry" written on the corner of a page
To close out National Poetry Month with a celebration, winners of the 4th annual Peter Sears Poetry Prize were announced today. Congratulations to the these student winners: First Prize: To Bear Arms by Cylinda Neidenbach Second Prize: a spell for revenge by Cheyan Swan Third Prize: Flower Crowns by Katherine Sutton The poems (included below) will be [more…]
Academics | Science & technology

WOU Professor Creates Code-Breaking Competition

Posted on April 28, 2020 1201 views
A coffee mug
An unscrupulous blackjack dealer helping a ring of hustlers. A race to discover the whereabouts of a deadly virus. A group suspected of hacking into a government website to steal U.S. Census data. The fictional plots in the Kryptos Challenge were created by Western Oregon University Math Professor Cheryl Beaver and Central Washington University Math [more…]
Academics | Alumni | Social & behavioral sciences

WOU Alum Jay Bates Graduates From FBI National Academy

Posted on April 23, 2020 1547 views
World map with country flags in place of each country
After earning his bachelor’s in Business Administration, Western Oregon alum Jay Bates ’93 took a job with a finance company, where he quickly learned he didn’t enjoy the corporate world. As a former WOU baseball player and high school athlete, Bates found himself missing the team atmosphere. He also remembered the advice of a WOU [more…]
Academics | Alumni | Education

Recent InfoTech Graduate Helps Educators Navigate Emergency Shift to Online Learning

Posted on April 20, 2020 1350 views 1 comment
Person in a WOU sweatshirt standing outside in front of tall rocks
By Anthony Rimel Kaitlin Lucas graduated from WOU’s Information Technology M.S.Ed. program in December 2019. And just a few months later she would be on the frontlines of one of the biggest moments in the history of educational technology: the unprecedented shift to online learning following the global outbreak of COVID-19. Lucas, who also earned a certificate [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Poetry Provides Perspective for WOU students

Posted on April 18, 2020 1141 views
Words about poetry
For Western Oregon University students Katherine Sutton, Alexander O’Brien, Amber Jahn and Nova Kohnke, a poem is more than the elements used to create it such as alliteration, rhymes, rhythms or metaphors. Although they each have their own unique writing style, they all view poetry as a window for others to view their perspective of [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Poetry, a Language of Its Own

Posted on April 17, 2020 1189 views
Keys of a typewriter
Western Oregon University linguistics Professor David Hargreaves has noticed every known culture has a specialized language that is distinct from our everyday language.  Hargreaves said this language is used in songs, folktales, stories, myths, mystic rituals, funeral laments and magic spells. “At the heart of this specialized language is the attention to language itself, rhythm, [more…]
Education | Spring/Summer 2020 | Western Edge magazine

I Love You Emoji Began at WOU

Posted on April 14, 2020 1407 views
Wolfie surrounded by hearts
For anyone who has texted the “I love you” handshape emoji, please thank CM Hall and Chad Ludwig. Hall, the co-project director of DeafBlind interpreting, and Ludwig, the director of RRCD, petitioned Unicode Consortium, a nonprofit that regulates the coding standards for written computer text that includes emojis to have the “I Love You” handshape [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Art for Innovation

Posted on April 8, 2020 1364 views
Painting of Mt. Hood
The late Alfred “Fred” Maurice’s curiosity and desire to see students succeed inspired him to establish a challenge for Western Oregon University students. A WOU benefactor and honorary faculty member (pictured below), he created the J. Dolores and Alfred P. Maurice Initiative, a challenge for undergraduates who complete a year-long project in quest for a [more…]
Academics

Remote Learning at WOU Relies on Moodle

Posted on April 6, 2020 1565 views
Computer next to a cell phone
Western Oregon University graduate assistants Adrienne Allardt-Wong and Kerri Kunda have some helpful advice for students and faculty who are using Moodle for their remote spring term courses. Moodle is a learning management system used by WOU to deliver its remote access courses. “Just play around in Moodle for a bit, and you’ll get the [more…]
Academics | Education | Spring/Summer 2020 | Western Edge magazine

WOU Continues to Lead Nation in American Sign Language Education and Advocacy

Posted on April 3, 2020 1676 views
Two people in a class
Western Oregon University’s Division of Deaf Studies and Professional Studies (DDSPS) is nationally known to be consistently at the cutting edge of innovation and excellence in its academic programs. Mark Girod ’94, dean of the College of Education, attributes the programs’ success to a dedicated faculty who are committed to access, equity and inclusion for [more…]
Academics

Six Tips for Remote Learning Spring Term at WOU

Posted on April 1, 2020 941 views
Red tulips
As we venture into new territory of remote course delivery for spring term at Western Oregon University, students should remember one thing will never change. WOU is here for you. Now more than ever, communicating with your professors, adviser and staff is important. Whether you need to call, email or video chat, they are here [more…]
Academics

A Former Online Student Shares His Advice

Posted on April 1, 2020 2391 views
Glasses on a notebook by a computer
Adrian Trujillo knows all too well the challenges of navigating remote college courses. While studying for his bachelor’s degree, he also juggled being a father to three young boys and working a full-time job. Now the bilingual academic success adviser in Western Oregon University’s Student Success and Advising (SSA) Office, Trujillo, 25, is eager to [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Western Oregon University recognized for serving the aging population

Posted on March 28, 2020 2551 views 1 comment
Picture of a computer screen reading Never Stop Learning
An assistant professor in the Gerontology program, Melissa Cannon is proud of Western Oregon University’s history of promoting age-friendly values in a variety of ways including encouraging lifelong learning and access to core institutional activities, community partnerships and intergenerational exchanges in teaching and learning. WOU’s dedication and work in this area has resulted in being [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture | Education

Lessons in the lessons: English and General Education

Posted on March 26, 2020 2326 views
Sundial next to pink flowers
There are lessons within the lessons taught in biology to literature to philosophy classes at Western Oregon University. And each lesson can provide us with guidance, insight and knowledge during this uncertain time. Today at WOU asked faculty to share with students and employees some perspective from their subject matter to help us navigate our [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture | Social & behavioral sciences

Lessons in the Lessons: Music and Psychology

Posted on March 25, 2020 2429 views
Music is the answer
There are lessons within the lessons taught in biology to literature to philosophy classes at Western Oregon University. And each lesson can provide us with guidance, insight and knowledge during this uncertain time. Today at WOU asked faculty to share with students and employees some perspective from their subject matter to help us navigate our [more…]
Academics | Business & global affairs | Social & behavioral sciences

Lessons in the Lessons: Business and Sociology

Posted on March 24, 2020 2740 views
Mountain with words
There are lessons within the lessons taught in biology to literature to philosophy classes at Western Oregon University. And each lesson can provide us with guidance, insight and knowledge during this uncertain time. Today at WOU asked faculty to share with students and employees some perspective from their subject matter to help us navigate our [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

WOU’s Art and Wine Walk Benefits Students

Posted on March 9, 2020 1196 views
Painting of Mt. Hood
The late Alfred “Fred” Maurice was known to challenge people to move beyond their comfort zone to learn something new. His legacy continues to provide students at Western Oregon University with the opportunity to do just that. A WOU benefactor and honorary faculty member, Maurice created the J. Dolores and Alfred P. Maurice Endowed Challenge [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Investigate Career Possibilities at Western Oregon University’s Criminal Justice Career Fair

Posted on March 2, 2020 1956 views
Two people talking
Western Oregon University students exploring career and internship options should investigate possible leads at the Criminal Justice Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Pacific Room at the Werner University Center. “This career fair is an opportunity for students to find where their passion might fit,” Criminal Justice Assistant Professor Jennifer [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Upcoming Lecture Explores the Effects of Spanish Colonization

Posted on February 25, 2020 3738 views 14 comments
This Thursday, February 27, the WOU community is invited to attend a lecture by Dr. Sonia Kania titled From Southwest Spain to Southwestern United States: Spanish in the Age of Exploration.  Kania is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington who currently serves as the chair of the Department of Modern Languages. [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

WOU Student Leo Marquez Interns at Marion County DA’s Office

Posted on February 19, 2020 1541 views
Leo Marquez standing on the stairs in front of the Marion County Courthouse.
At WOU, many students have participated in internships that correlate to their career goals. One of those students is junior Leo Marquez, a Criminal Justice major who completed an internship last fall with the Marion County District Attorney’s office. As a student intern, Marquez informed victims of their rights, provided assistance to these victims, attended [more…]
Academics

Attention Transfer Students: We’re Here to Help

Posted on February 17, 2020 1069 views
Wolfie standing by a bus.
When you are ready to transfer to Western Oregon University, Dr. Kristin Mauro is definitely someone you want to meet. The director of Western Oregon University’s Transfer Pathways department, Mauro is an advocate and a valuable resource for transfer students. She works with students to view their transcripts and explain how their courses will transfer, [more…]
Academics | Alumni | Education

WOU Alum named National Superintendent of the Year

Posted on February 14, 2020 1078 views
Man standing at podium and speaking
Congratulations to WOU alum Gustavo Balderas ’90 was just named the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year! This significant recognition speaks to his dedication to Oregon’s youth. Balderas is the son of a migrant family from Mexico who settled in Oregon. Balderas works for the Eugene School District and he’s the second WOU alum to [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Congress to Campus Fosters Civil Communication, Engagement and Literacy

Posted on February 7, 2020 1224 views
U.S. Capitol building with colorful sunset behind it
Western Oregon University Professor Mary Pettenger and Assistant Professor Earlene Camarillo believe the connections each of us makes with people who have different perspectives and opinions allow us to learn and grow as a community. That’s why Camarillo and Pettenger, who both teach in the Politics, Policy and Administration department, collaborated to bring Congress to [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Western Oregon University Choirs Are Belgium-Bound

Posted on January 29, 2020 1429 views
Musical notes
Dr. James Reddan does more than ask his Western Oregon University choir students to shoot for the stars. Reddan, as an assistant music professor and director of choral activities, makes certain every student has the skills and knowledge to confidently reach the destination. “I have high expectations for my students, but they are always achievable [more…]
Academics

Honors Program Insights

Posted on January 22, 2020 1344 views
Western Oregon University’s Honors Program is a subcommunity of the university’s academic populace. The required curriculum is developed by and for the students engaging in it, as the Honors Committee is comprised of both instructors and honors students. Leading the program is Gavin Keulks, who has been WOU’s Honors Director for 10 years. For his [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

WOU Honors the Work and Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Posted on January 16, 2020 1207 views
Western Oregon University’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration serves both as a tradition and a reminder. “It’s a tradition of celebrating and bringing the WOU community together to focus an incredible civil rights leader and activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Malissa Larson. Patrick Moser, assistant vice [more…]
Academics

Priceless skill of perseverance

Posted on January 15, 2020 1013 views
Everyone has setbacks that cause them to want to throw up their hands and yell, “I quit.” Perhaps it was after being told they weren’t smart, fast, talented or creative enough to succeed in their chosen path. There is a long list of well-known people who experienced failure including Mozart, Dr. Seuss, Oprah Winfrey, Michael [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Oregon’s ratification of the 19th Amendment

Posted on January 13, 2020 1222 views
Lend your hands to help create a historical record celebrating the 100th anniversary of Oregon’s ratification of the 19th Amendment, which eventually placed women’s voting rights in the U.S. Constitution. Western Oregon University history professor Kimberly Jensen invites campus and community members to make a social justice art panel at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 14 [more…]
Academics | Education

WOU Announces New American Sign Language Assessment Service

Posted on January 7, 2020 1949 views
Group of students in an American Sign Language class
Western Oregon University continues to be a leader in American Sign Language. Our Regional Resource Center on Deafness (RRCD) is the first to offer a nationwide ASL assessment service (called RSLA) in the western United States. The service uses Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) conducted in ASL to assess the individuals’ ASL skills. The service [more…]
Academics | Education

No Child Left Monolingual

Posted on January 6, 2020 1523 views 1 comment
Group of four students sitting at a table outdoors and smiling
Dr. Kim Potowski is eager to dispel several myths about languages in the U.S. and promote multilingualism. A professor of Hispanic linguistics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Potowski is a renowned specialist in multilingualism and the founding director of her university’s Language in Context Research Group.   Potowski will present No Child Left [more…]
Academics | Business & global affairs | Top News

New master’s in Organizational Leadership provides foundation for tomorrow’s leaders

Posted on December 9, 2019 1059 views
Group of students and a professor sitting around a cluster of tables
Western Oregon University professor David Foster explained leadership skills can be acquired in one of two ways – the college of hard knocks or preferably in WOU’s new master’s in Organizational Leadership program. “When people learn leadership skills in the college of hard knocks, they often make mistakes that have severe consequences,” Foster said. The [more…]
Academics | Top News

Major Myth Busting

Posted on November 27, 2019 965 views
Two women, sitting on opposite sides of a desk.
Niki Weight is eager to bust three myths to hopefully help college students stop stressing so much about changing their major. National research indicates 80% of college students change their major at least once, adding it’s not uncommon for students to change their major three times. The director of Western Oregon University’s Student Success and [more…]
Academics | Campus & community | Fall/Winter 2019-20

Big News: Western Oregon University in Salem

Posted on November 26, 2019 834 views
In the last edition of Western Edge, we told you about WOU’s expansion into Salem, where the university was leasing classroom space from the Willamette Education Service District. In September, WOU purchased a permanent space in downtown Salem: the historical Vick building on the corner of High and Trade streets. The building will get a [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Posted on November 12, 2019 997 views
Two men in suits stand on a stage and speak into a microphone
Experience the behind-the-scene escapades of a 1946 radio broadcast by attending the Western Oregon University Theatre Department’s presentation of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play on Nov. 14-16 and Nov. 20-23. WOU Theatre Professor and Director Kent Neely said the live radio play is a great start to the holiday season for anyone who [more…]
Academics

Building and navigating pathways for students’ success

Posted on November 5, 2019 897 views
Chelle Batchelor standing and smiling between shelves of books in a library
Shelve all the notions you may have about what it takes to properly manage a college library. Especially now that Chelle Batchelor has taken the helm at Hamersly Library. With more than 25 years of experience working in college libraries, Batchelor was chosen as Western Oregon University’s dean of Library and Academic Innovation, a new [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Author Advice: From Writers for Writers

Posted on November 1, 2019 953 views
Street view of the large Hamersly Library, a three-story building with many windows.
To celebrate National Author’s Day on November 1, we sought advice from campus authors (fiction, poetry, academic work, etc.) to feature, in order to highlight writers’ accomplishments and passions, as well as stoke the interest of newer writers. Here is what they had to offer. Plotting Advice: “Make an outline first – then add by [more…]
Academics | Alumni

Two Young Adult Authors Found Inspiration at Western Oregon

Posted on November 1, 2019 1145 views
Hardcover books of "Tarnished are the Stars" and "The Bone Houses" on a stone bench with a WOU Wolfie doll.
A 17-year-old gravedigger and three futuristic teens can trace their stories’ beginnings to their authors’ experiences at Western Oregon University. The gravedigger protagonist belongs to the imagination of Emily Lloyd-Jones ’10, and the space-age tech and steampunk-style clockwork teens to Rosiee Thor ’14. Both authors released young adult novels this fall. Lloyd-Jones’ fourth novel, The [more…]
Academics | Top News

WOU provides support and pathways for transfer students

Posted on October 25, 2019 825 views
Transfer students were invited to “Celebrate Your Transfer Story” at WOU’s Transfer Pathways inaugural celebration of National Transfer Student Week (NTSW) Oct. 21-25. An annual event by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, NTSW celebrates transfer students and the professionals who support them on their journey. At WOU, the goal is to welcome [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Third-Generation WOU Student is Student Leader

Posted on October 15, 2019 922 views
Person standing in front of a logo painted on a wall. ASWOU in text with a red torch over the state of Oregon
A third-generation student, Erik Morgan Jr. can pinpoint the events that propelled him from being “only partly politically aware” to being elected Associated Students of Western Oregon (ASWOU) president. At Stayton High School, Morgan Jr. played soccer and acted in school plays. Student government wasn’t on his radar. Not knowing what he wanted to study [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Hamlet performed on campus in outdoor production

Posted on July 24, 2019 985 views
Several actors in costume of n an outdoor stage.
Looking for something fun to do over summer weekends? You’re in luck! The Valley Shakespeare Company (VSC) is performing their rendition of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet during the last weekend of July and the first weekend of August. The VSC’s goal is to “[encourage] students, families and community members, young and old, to join in the [more…]
Campus & community | Education | WOU in the news

Oregon’s Public Universities Contemplate Tuition Increases

Posted on May 7, 2019 1018 views
A photo of the Western Oregon University sign on campus.
Oregon’s public universities are looking at one major way to stay solvent next year – tuition increases. Some universities are contemplating double digit increases or waiting until May to make their decisions, hoping they may receive more state support. Portland State University is considering tuition increases of at least 14%. Eastern Oregon University in La Grande is among [more…]
Arts & culture | Campus & community | WOU in the news

WOU in the News: Slippery Nature of ‘Sensual Fish’

Posted on April 4, 2019 1473 views 2 comments
“It’s kind of a slippery topic,” Henry Hughes told me Tuesday, in a conversation about his upcoming lecture “The Sensual Fish.” At its heart, the April 2 lecture is about fish. It’s part of the Montana State University Library Trout and Salmonid Lecture Series. But it’s also about sex. “The wet, dark, mysterious, fishy and primal [more…]
Alumni | Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the News: To Improve Teacher Diversity, Salem-Keizer Focusing on Training its Own Students, Classroom Aides

Posted on March 6, 2019 1011 views
Jessica Zamarron helps students with a math assignment in a bilingual Swegle Elementary School classroom.
Jessica Zamarron was inspired by her first-grade teacher at Swegle Elementary. Seeing Karina Rodriguez, another bilingual Latina, in front of the classroom, Zamarron knew her teacher had similar life experiences. If she had a problem at home or needed advice, Rodriguez was the teacher she went to. “I related to her,” Zamarron said. She remembered [more…]
Academics

20 Questions with New Provost Dr. Rob Winningham

Posted on March 1, 2019 1238 views 1 comment
Dr. Rob Winningham, provost, is smiling
We’re thrilled that Dr. Rob Winningham is now serving as Western Oregon University’s provost. Winningham joined WOU in 2000 as an assistant professor of psychology. Over the years, this homegrown leader moved up the ranks to full professor, chair of the Behavioral Sciences Division, then interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, [more…]
Academics | Alumni | Social & behavioral sciences

WOU in the News: Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union CEO Retires After 43 Years of Service

Posted on January 1, 2019 1044 views 1 comment
Al Strawn with his wife Gretchen.
PALMER— Al Strawn stepped down from his position as CEO of the Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union in October. He is still figuring out what his retirement is going to look like in the coming years but he does know one thing — he enjoys having more time on his hands. “I’m discovering that I [more…]
Academics | Education

T.H. Gentle Professorship Goes to Dr. Gay Timken

Posted on May 23, 2018 1111 views
Gay Timken with past winners of the award and members of the Gentle family
On Thursday, May 17, Physical Education Teacher Education Professor Gay Timken was announced as the 2018-2019 T.H. Gentle Professor. Timken, who has been on the faculty at Western Oregon University for 15 years, will take over the professorship from Deaf Studies and Professional Studies Professor Elisa Maroney, who held the post during the previous academic [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

ONE: A Spring Dance Concert Piece

Posted on May 10, 2018 888 views
The American Flag with some flowers
As a human, every day can bring up a different experience, but deciding on the voice in their narrative is up to the individual. ONE, a piece by student choreographer Tunya Dhevahpalin, is undertaking the issue between how we feel and the way people perceive us. Though a lot has changed, a lot more still [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

Last Light: A Spring Dance Concert Piece

Posted on May 7, 2018 864 views
Andrew De La Paz jumping in front of some graphiti
Inspiration comes from anywhere, for the piece the Last Light, by student choreographer Andrew De La Paz explained he had two muses: the way light refracts through different mediums and the poem by Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night. By incorporating these two vastly different influences, De La Paz hoped to [more…]
Academics | Social & behavioral sciences

Southern California Police Department Seeks Recruits at WOU

Posted on March 9, 2018 1031 views
John Deer and Ed Villarreal
Representatives from the El Segundo Police Department in Southern California visited campus this week in their first out-of-state recruiting trip. They have high hopes for the outcome after taking with Western Oregon University students, many of whom are in the criminal justice program. “We’ve had a great experience,” said Sergeant Ed Villarreal. “We’re meeting a [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

The Best Little Auditorium in Monmouth

Posted on February 24, 2018 1100 views
Scene shop workers, working hard on "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" two story set
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was not a place of fiction, it indeed existed under the name of Chicken Ranch. The prostitution started in the great depression as a way for the farm to survive, trading services for goods, eventually leading to the excess of chickens thus giving the 12 acre farm its name. [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture

English Faculty Garner Literary Award, Recognition

Posted on February 12, 2018 987 views
Bellamy Hall
Two members of Western Oregon University’s English department faculty have recently earned national recognition from prestigious literary journals. Professor Henry Hughes won the 2017 Oberon Poetry Prize from the journal Oberon Poetry. The New York-based journal runs the annual contest to highlight the best unpublished poem from among hundreds of submissions. Hughes’ winning poem, Fish [more…]
Arts & culture

Theatre Department to Stage The Watson Intelligence

Posted on February 7, 2018 902 views
Two actors from The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence
The time-jumping play The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence by Madeleine George will come to Western Oregon University’s Black Box Studio stage Feb. 8-10. The piece, which was a finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, will be directed by student Matthew Miller ’18. The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence takes a [more…]
Education | We are WOU

Q&A with information technology student Benjamin Kahn

Posted on January 24, 2018 3129 views 1 comment
Ben Kahn
This week, we’re featuring the Information Technology (“info tech”) master’s program for We are WOU: Academics. We’d had a chat with a current student in the program about his experience. Meet Benjamin Kahn ’19 from Seattle who’s currently living and working in Portland as an instructional technologist at the University of Portland. Kahn Why did [more…]
Arts & culture | Features

iLumiDance Tour Melds Dance, Computer Science to Benefit Children

Posted on January 17, 2018 2982 views
Western Oregon University Dance Professor Darryl Thomas’ latest touring project, in addition to his well-known Rainbow Dance Theatre, has an innovative and ambitious mission: inspiring young children to explore computer coding. Since 2013, Thomas and a troupe have been presenting iLumiDance to schoolchildren visiting WOU. The program focuses on dancers who are wearing black suits [more…]
Education

WOU Students Support TEDx Salem Event, Mission

Posted on January 5, 2018 857 views
TEDxSalem ASL interpretation
The TED Conference motto is “Ideas Worth Spreading,” and Saturday at the Salem Convention Center, more than a dozen Western Oregon University students will help advance that mission. For the second year, seniors in WOU’s Interpreting Studies program will get valuable, real-world American Sign Language interpreting experience as they share the stage with presenters at [more…]
Alumni | Education | Features

WOU Master’s Degree from Home? Yes, Please!

Posted on December 20, 2017 2905 views
Amber Deets
If the idea of attending grad school classes at home while wearing pajamas is appealing, read on. Western Oregon University offers several online master’s degree programs that can completed on students’ own timeline and in the comfort of their own home. The dress code is up to them. One of WOU’s most popular online grad [more…]
Features | Social & behavioral sciences

Feature: Student Projects Demonstrate Change Is Possible

Posted on November 29, 2017 905 views
Politics, Policy and Administration Professor Mary Pettenger wants students to know they can make a difference in their worlds. That’s why she considers her Political Science 355 course to be one of her favorites. The class, Civic Literacy and Engagement, has several components, from proposal writing and project management to media literacy and effective communication. [more…]
Business & global affairs | Features

Feature: Entrepreneurship Minor a Popular Resource for Innovative Students

Posted on October 19, 2017 899 views
Marty Schulz quote
As the work force moves farther way from the traditional format—think employees who spend 10+ years at a company—to the modern affinity for a new job every few years, Western Oregon University’s Business program is ready for the change. Case in point: the entrepreneurship minor, which allows students, both current and incoming, to chart a [more…]
Arts & culture

One night only – “Blindside”

Posted on October 3, 2017 902 views
Stephanie Morin-Roberts posing for a picture with her left eye closed
The Incidental Fees Committee does a large variety of things around campus including bringing in a guest artist once a year. This year they have brought in the magnificent Stephanie Morin-Robert to perform her show Blindside. Due to a type cancer called retinoblastoma, she lost her left eye when she was only two years of [more…]
Alumni | Business & global affairs | Features

Feature: Alum Turns Hobby into Career, then Cruises into International Market

Posted on August 9, 2017 866 views
Longboard Larry
Larry Peterson ’05 doesn’t seem like a celebrity from the outset. The Western Oregon University alum is in his mid-40s, works in Independence and has a wife and four sons. But if you ask anyone who’s a fan of longboards—skateboards with extra length and interesting shapes—“Longboard Larry” is a well-known figure. He’s not convinced, though. [more…]
Education | Features

Feature: Silent Weekend’s Success a Testament to WOU Reputation in ASL Community

Posted on August 4, 2017 918 views
Silent Weekend group 2016
The ninth annual Silent Weekend event took place July 28-30 on campus, and a record number of participants were on hand for the American Sign Language-immersive experience. “(We had) 275 folks signed up from 18 states,” said event director CM Hall. “It’s our biggest year ever.” Hall, who in her regular duties is co-director of [more…]
Arts & culture | WOU in the news

WOU in the News: Outdoor Showings of ‘Much Ado’ Cost Nothing

Posted on July 17, 2017 787 views
Much Ado About Nothing
At its core, “Much Ado About Nothing” is a story about how one person disrupts the lives of all around him. The troublemaker, Don John — better recognized as the villain in William Shakespeare’s oft-produced play — is the one who has to instigate the action. In the Valley Shakespeare Company’s upcoming production, Western Oregon student [more…]
Arts & culture

Feature: WOU Adjunct’s Adaptation of Arabian Nights Showcases Talent of Local Children

Posted on July 6, 2017 1025 views
Koko Le and Melody Allen play the peacock and peahen in Arabian Nights
The Apple Box Children’s Theater production of Arabian Nights makes its debut tonight in the amphitheater near Rice Auditorium, when more than local 40 children will bring to life playwright Maren Bradley Anderson’s magical vision. Anderson, an adjunct writing and English instructor at Western Oregon University, based the play on the classic tale One Thousand [more…]
Class of 2017 | Health & wellness

Golden Lamp Award: Stacie Chance

Posted on June 16, 2017 924 views
Stacie Chance
Stacie Chance, the 2017 Golden Lamp Award winner, took a winding path to get to where she is today, but now that she’s fulfilling her life-long dream, there’s no deterring her from her ultimate goal. The Oregon Health & Science University honoree is focused on supporting the health and wellness of her community. To that [more…]
Class of 2017 | Education

Alumni Award of Excellence: Betty Komp ’90, ’92

Posted on June 16, 2017 822 views
Betty Komp
The 2017 Alumni Award of Excellence winner, Betty Komp, is the embodiment of Western Oregon University’s mission: providing a transformative education. Komp, now a retired Oregon legislator, came to WOU in the late 80s as a 30-something single mom seeking a significant change in her life. She graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in [more…]
Class of 2017 | Social & behavioral sciences

Mario and Alma Pastega Excellence in Scholarship Award: Dr. Eliot Dickinson

Posted on June 16, 2017 812 views
Eliot Dickinson
Politics, Policy and Administration Professor Eliot Dickinson is a master of being in the right place at the right time. Opportunities have presented themselves to him throughout his life, and he never hesitated in spotting the opening. Dickinson, a nine-year member of the WOU faculty, is the winner of the 2017 Mario and Alma Pastega [more…]
Class of 2017 | Social & behavioral sciences

Mario and Alma Pastega Excellence in Teaching Award: Dr. Vivian Djokotoe

Posted on June 16, 2017 886 views
Vivian Djokotoe
Vivian Djokotoe, this year’s recipient of the Mario and Alma Pastega Excellence in Teaching Award, says she has been lucky through every stage of her life. Although she’s certainly been the benefactor of Fortune’s smile many times, however, it’s clear that good ol’ hard work deserves the lion’s share of credit for her success. Djokotoe [more…]
Class of 2017 | Education

Julia McCulloch Smith Award: Aleisha Douthitt

Posted on June 16, 2017 914 views
Aleisha Douthitt
If the ultimate goal of attaining a degree is to get a job right out of college, Aleisha Douthitt, this year’s Julia McCulloch Smith Award winner for outstanding female graduate, is well ahead of the game. The Honors Program student already is putting her bachelor’s degree in elementary education to work; she landed a job [more…]
Class of 2017 | Science & technology

Delmer Dewey Award: Connor Thompson

Posted on June 16, 2017 950 views
Connor Thompson
Connor Thompson, the 2017 Delmer Dewey Award honoree, has an incredible résumé. The chemistry major interned for NASA, researched nanotechnology and worked on a computational chemistry project involving cartridge cases from the Battle of the Little Bighorn. But in discussing the most influential experience he’s had while on the Western Oregon University campus, the hyper-organized [more…]
Class of 2017 | Education

Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Jennifer Kepka

Posted on June 16, 2017 835 views
Jennifer Kepka
Jennifer Kepka has been working for years to make higher education accessible to more people, especially those with barriers to regular classroom attendance. But her work in online educational resources is just one of the reasons this year’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipient reaps praise from her advisers and nominators. “Jennifer’s work is more than [more…]
Class of 2017 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Kaylyn Taylor

Posted on June 15, 2017 893 views
This is part of our WOU graduate profile series where we’re featuring students who have been making incredible contributions to the WOU community In this feature, we’re celebrating the amazing accomplishments of Kaylyn Taylor, a psychology major with a minor in Spanish. Kaylyn’s been involved in a lot of different programs during her time at [more…]
Class of 2017 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Rosita Olalde

Posted on June 15, 2017 968 views
This is part of our WOU graduate profile series where we’re featuring students who have been making incredible contributions to the WOU community One of the first things you notice about Rosita Olalde, though you may not think that it is particularly noticeable at all, is how modest she is. She has a way of talking [more…]
Class of 2017 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Laura Miranda

Posted on June 14, 2017 996 views
This is part of our WOU graduate profile series where we’re featuring students who have been making incredible contributions to the WOU community Today we’re featuring Laura Miranda, a social science major who made her mark with numerous organizations on campus, including Upward Bound and the Multicultural Student Union. We asked Laura about her time [more…]
Class of 2017 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad profile: Max Norr

Posted on June 14, 2017 841 views
Max Norr
This is part of our WOU graduate profile series where we’re featuring students who have been making incredible contributions to the WOU community Senior Max Norr is the creator of “The Record Keeper,” an exhibit and website based on books belonging to Sister Genevieve “Birdie” Lantz. She was a nurse with the American Red Cross [more…]
Arts & culture

Play Combines Self-Determination with Slight Hint of Magic

Posted on May 30, 2017 875 views
"This Girl Laughs, This Girls Cries, This Girl Does Nothing" cast
The Western Oregon University Theatre’s final production of the academic year will be This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing, and although the play by Finegan Kruckemeyer is often described as being “fairy tale-like,” guest director Jen Rowe is quick to indicate her preference for “fable.” “I try not to go down [more…]
Academics | Grace's posts

Peter Sears Poetry Prize Winners

Posted on May 11, 2017 651 views
This was the first year of the Peter Sears Poetry Prize, planned to be an annual event. Dr. Henry Hughes, a literature and writing professor at WOU, founded the prize in honor of Peter Sears, a poetry mentor and friend to him for many years. Over 100 poems were submitted by students. Professors Marjory Lange, [more…]
Health & wellness

Food pantry seeks next step in service

Posted on April 28, 2017 1051 views
WOU Food Pantry Director Rebecca Hardgrave being interviewed by KPTV reporters.
The WOU Food Pantry, housed in the Academic Programs and Support Center building, has been getting a lot of press in the past four months. Media attention has come from several newspapers and a television station, all of which is welcome support in the eyes of Director Rebecca Hardgrave ’18. “We appreciate the attention if [more…]
Education

New Mursion software takes teaching instruction to virtual level

Posted on March 15, 2017 973 views
Assistant Professor of Education Maria Peterson-Ahmad has been working for months to bring an innovative new education tool to Western Oregon University, and she will unveil the program tomorrow to a group of students, teacher-education partners and anyone who is curious about virtual classrooms. “I’m so excited to show Mursion to everyone,” Peterson-Ahmad said, her [more…]
Academics | Grace's posts

Places on campus for academic success support

Posted on March 13, 2017 608 views
With finals just around the corner and spring term fast approaching, now’s a great time to take advantage of various academic centers and resources around campus. Science Center The Science Center is open this term until week 10, providing assistance for students in science related classes. It is located in the Hamersly Library in room 124. [more…]
Alumni | Education

WOU alum wins National Superintendent of the Year Award

Posted on March 13, 2017 826 views
Western Oregon University alumnus Matt Utterback ’89 has won the National Superintendent of the Year Award from the American Association of School Administrators. The award was announced March 2 in New Orleans. Utterback has been superintendent at North Clackamas School District since 2012, and during that time the district has made major gains in graduation [more…]
Academics | Kelsie's posts

Graduate programs for non-educators

Posted on March 10, 2017 608 views
Graduate programs at WOU aren’t only for students wanting to pursue a career in the education field. There are graduate programs in other fields such as criminal justice, interpreting studies, and more! These ones aren’t quite as complicated to sift through. Rather, they are based more on career goals and interests. Remember to complete the [more…]
Arts & culture

Cesar E. Chavez Leadership Conference brings Hispanic youths to campus

Posted on March 8, 2017 797 views
On March 3, Western Oregon University welcomed about 2,200 students, school staff and chaperones for the 27th annual César E. Chávez Leadership Conference (CECLC), an all-day event meant to inspire Hispanic students to seek leadership roles. The day’s events started with a welcome and keynote address in the New P.E. building, where the bleachers overflowed [more…]
Health & wellness

National grant extends CASA’s reach

Posted on March 1, 2017 795 views
Take Back the Night
Last fall, The Research Institute (TRI) and the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women extended their six-year relationship until at least 2019. A $300,000 grant sealed the deal. There was not a lot of fanfare at the time, but the continuation agreement is a significant coup for Western Oregon University. Not only [more…]
Arts & culture

“Shakespeare in Hollywood” melds the Bard with a bad movie

Posted on February 27, 2017 859 views
Plenty of theatrical works involve a play within a play, but “Shakespeare in Hollywood” takes the concept to a new, hilarious level. Not only is there a movie within a play, but there also are characters from a Shakespearean comedy thrust into roles in a 1930s film. Confused? Don’t worry, said director Ted deChatelet. Just [more…]
Academics | Kelsie's posts

Why Attend Graduate School at WOU?

Posted on February 26, 2017 617 views
With so many options available for graduate school, the decision can take a lot of time, research, and applications. Western Oregon University is a great option for graduate school because of the affordable tuition, positive interactions between faculty and students, and the variety of programs offered. Here’s what it’s like to attend graduate school at [more…]
Academics | Kelsie's posts

Criminal Justice Career Day

Posted on February 22, 2017 697 views
High school and college students are invited to attend Criminal Justice Career Day to explore educational and employment opportunities available from various agencies. Representatives from law enforcement, correctional institutions, detention and jail facilities, juvenile and adult probation and parole programs and other special service fields will be available at the career fair. There will also [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences

Senior Allison Yamnitsky charting path for her future

Posted on February 21, 2017 816 views
Alli Yamnitsky
If you’d asked Alli Yamnitsky ’17 during her freshman year at Western Oregon University what she saw herself doing after graduation, she probably would have said she’d be a history teacher. The Corbett High School grad lists history among her passions, along with environmental studies, her minor. But fate steered Yamnitsky in a different direction [more…]
Education

Child Development Center adds SMART reading program

Posted on February 17, 2017 848 views
SMART volunteer Claire Woodruff reads to Marshall and Desmond
After a fall term spent organizing, scouting and preparing, the Child Development Center on Jan. 18 started welcoming volunteers with Start Making a Reader Today for weekly visits to Western Oregon University. The seven SMART volunteers read one on one with children for an hour each Wednesday morning, providing personal attention and sharing their enthusiasm [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences

Meet new faculty member Dr. Melissa Cannon

Posted on February 15, 2017 941 views
Dr. Melissa Cannon
Dr. Melissa Cannon joined Western Oregon University fall 2016 as an assistant professor in Gerontology. She joined WOU after earning completing her Ph.D. in urban studies at Portland State University. Her dissertation was titled Challenges, Experiences, and Future Directions of Senior Centers Serving the Portland Metropolitan Area. We asked her some questions to get to know one [more…]
Arts & culture

“All in the Timing” – a series of wacky events

Posted on February 6, 2017 887 views
All in the Timing
Director Kent Neely describes All in the Timing simply as a “ridiculous comedy.” The title, which comprises six short plays, doesn’t lean toward social commentary, parody or satire. It’s just pure fun with a heavy focus on wordplay, absurdity and the examination of personal relationships, all set in a comedy club-type atmosphere. “The interactions and [more…]
Alumni | Business & global affairs

Laura Gage: anthropology alumna on the go

Posted on January 31, 2017 1298 views
Most of what people need to know about 2010 grad Laura Gage’s world view can be found in the title of her YouTube channel: “Laura the Explorer.” She’s a world traveler, and she attributes her adaptability to her time at Western Oregon University. Gage has taken the knowledge gained during courses for her anthropology major [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences

Civil Rights Film Series kicks off tonight

Posted on January 18, 2017 776 views
Citizen King movie poster
It’s winter term at Western Oregon University, and that means the opportunity to learn more about civil rights and the clash of class and race is again upon us. Starting today, the Civil Rights Film Series gets under way on its term-long run, starting with Citizen King, an overview of the life of Dr. Martin [more…]
Arts & culture

Free concerts to enjoy through the term

Posted on November 14, 2016 825 views
black and white picture of an old style microphone
If you are finding it hard to relax as the end of the term approaches and need an evening of escape, no worries WOU’s Music Department understands. Here are the free upcoming concerts from now until the end of the term to help you unwind. Nov. 14 – 7:30 p.m. – Smith Music Hall 121 [more…]
Business & global affairs

International Education Week

Posted on November 14, 2016 792 views
International Education Week Banner
November 14 marks the beginning of this years International Education Week (IEW), an annual event that focuses on the advantages of global involvement in education. Beginning with a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State as well as the U.S. Department of Education, IEW promotes programs and organizations that include study abroad as well as [more…]
Arts & culture

Fall theatre production: “Machinal” by Sophie Treadwell

Posted on November 10, 2016 816 views
The Machinal Set being built, large metalic beems framing the stage, very indurstiral looking
On November 10, the WOU Theatre Department will be putting on Machinal, a play written by Sophie Treadwell and directed by theater professor Michael Phillips. This play seems like a hollowing echo of the struggle of women through the decades to be more than just a household necessity and instead their own person. The story of Machinal is [more…]
Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Visiting professor helps music teachers combat student anxiety

Posted on October 31, 2016 820 views
A picture of Dr. Diane Baxter
Musicians and music teachers learned about combating performance anxiety on Saturday during a workshop with Dr. Diane Baxter. Baxter is a Professor of Music at Western Oregon University and has performed all over the world. The free public workshop in Hermiston was made possible by the Oregon Music Teachers Associations and Oregon Community Foundation. Baxter [more…]
Academics | Kelsie's posts

It’s FAFSA Time!

Posted on October 3, 2016 605 views
Are you in need of financial aid for the 2017-18 school year? The first step to applying for aid is filling out FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a tool to help you apply for grants, work-study, and loans, all through one simple application. In the past, FAFSA has opened on [more…]
Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Western Oregon opens new education building

Posted on September 23, 2016 834 views
Richard Woodcock Education Center
The Richard Woodcock Education Center, new home of Western Oregon University’s College of Education, opened this week. The 58,000-square-foot building is the first multi-story building in Oregon constructed with cross-laminated timber. This is the first time the three divisions of the College of Education will be under one roof, including nearly 100 offices and 23 classrooms. [more…]
Alumni | Arts & culture | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Gut wrenching images: Rick Bartow’s ‘Things You Know But Cannot Explain’ exhibition

Posted on September 16, 2016 814 views
Rick Bartow
Rick Bartow walked onto his spirit journey on April 2, 2016 due to congestive heart disease. He had suffered two strokes, the last in August 2013. According to the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, this life-changing event affected his work and we see it in the collection as “exciting examples of Bartow’s production since [more…]
Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Multi-Story Buildings Going Up Using cross-laminated timber

Posted on September 1, 2016 850 views
CLT Promises New Construction Boom in the Future, Pilot Programs Under Development in Oregon Multi-Story Buildings Going Up in Oregon Using cross-laminated timber (CLT). The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in multi-story buildings is no longer just something people are talking about. In Oregon, two new buildings that feature CLT are almost complete, and construction [more…]
Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Education Center Ready For Debut

Posted on August 24, 2016 834 views
Photo of Mark Girod in new building
The Richard Woodcock Education Center is bustling with activity, but not from students — not yet. It’s faculty and staff who are moving into the new building for Western Oregon University’s Department of Education. Dean of Education Mark Girod is excited to have a base of operations for the 800 education majors on campus, as [more…]
Health & wellness

WOU receives grant to conduct important research on experiences among Oregon’s “Deaf community”: Researchers seek participants for their research

Posted on August 3, 2016 949 views
Western Oregon University (WOU) assistant professor Dr. Denise Thew Hacket, in collaboration with WOU’s Regional Resource Center on Deafness, received a $200,000 grant from the State of Oregon’s Department of Human Services. The funding allows for research targeting Oregon’s Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing loss communities. It will provide information regarding how well the [more…]
Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: New teachers get hands-on geography lesson

Posted on July 27, 2016 824 views
Heidi Wilson and Amanda Mattei
Two teaching graduates from OSU-Cascades returned from their trip to Spain and Portugal last week where they studied physical and human geography with the Center for Geography Education in Oregon at Portland State University. Heidi Wilson and Amanda Mattei received their Oregon preliminary teaching licenses from Oregon State University this summer and participated in the [more…]
Arts & culture

Summer Heatwave Concert Series

Posted on June 21, 2016 784 views
The top of the Summer Heatwave advertisement specifying the name, location, and time.
Staying around Monmouth this summer with nothing to do? Don’t worry, Western Oregon University is having a Summer Heatwave Concert Series. This open to all ages concert series is sponsored by Student Leadership and Activities. It starts this week and runs every Wednesday until the end of July. The concerts run from noon until the party [more…]
Class of 2016 | Social & behavioral sciences

Mario & Alma Pastega Award in Staff Excellence: Sharyne Ryals

Posted on June 11, 2016 860 views
Sharyne Ryals
An unexpected incident led Sharyne Ryals, this year’s Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Staff Excellence recipient, to Western Oregon University. Ryals had always worked in the private sector, and her previous job was at a silicon wafer manufacturer. This industry became an unstable environment to work in, and closed like many other businesses in [more…]
Class of 2016 | Science & technology

Maria & Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching: Cheryl Beaver

Posted on June 11, 2016 971 views
Cheryl Beaver
Dr. Cheryl Beaver has found a way to balance her academic interests at Western Oregon University: mathematics and education. This year’s Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching recipient, she has flourished as a math educator. She and her husband, Dr. Scott Beaver, joined WOU in 2005. Prior to becoming a collegiate educator, [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2016

Delmer Dewey Award: John Goldsmith

Posted on June 11, 2016 861 views
John Goldsmith
Some students find comfort in classes, some in sports, some in extracurricular activities, while others are happiest with a mix of involvement during their college career. John Goldsmith, this year’s Delmer Dewey award recipient for outstanding senior male, took advantage of as many academic and leadership opportunities as his time and interest afforded. On the [more…]
Class of 2016 | Health & wellness

Golden Lamp Award: Kayla Corwin

Posted on June 11, 2016 900 views
Kayla Corwin
There is no traditional route to Commencement, as Kayla Corwin learned. This Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) graduating student has been an undergraduate for nine years. “I had a long road getting here,” she said. Science has always been a strength of Corwin’s. In high school she took an anatomy class and while her [more…]
Class of 2016 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad profile: Sarah Duhart

Posted on June 10, 2016 763 views
Fully set on going to another college, Sarah Duhart changed her mind last second after being offered a position at the WOU’s Writing Center straight out of high school. She says that she hasn’t regretted her decision one bit because it gave her opportunities she would not have had otherwise. Because of the support provided [more…]
Class of 2016 | Health & wellness

Grad profile: Ashley Baxter

Posted on June 10, 2016 831 views
Ashley Baxter
Ashley Baxter Hillsboro, Ore. Community health education major Undergraduate Ashley Baxter is a graduating community health major. Baxter chose WOU because she heard it was affordable and when she toured the campus, she fell in love with the beauty.  “I just knew I’d be happier here at this type of university.” Baxter enjoyed the amount of [more…]
Class of 2016 | Health & wellness

Grad profile: Matt Turner

Posted on June 10, 2016 833 views
Matt Turner
Matt Turner Prince George, British Columbia Applied exercise science major Undergraduate Matt Turner is a graduating applied exercise science major. He chose WOU because his academic advisor from Chemeketa Community College suggested it for what he was doing, which at the time was pre-physical therapy. His advisor said that WOU was a great school with smaller [more…]
Class of 2016 | Education

Grad profile: Mashael Alansari

Posted on June 10, 2016 818 views
Mashael Alansari
Mashael Alansari Saudi Arabia Master’s in Education Graduate Mashael Alansari is a graduating masters student getting her master’s in education. She chose WOU because her close friend studied here before her and talked about classes that were interesting. Her friend then encouraged Alansari to apply. She looked at the program and liked the description of [more…]
Class of 2016 | Health & wellness

Grad Profile: Dominik Heidemeyer

Posted on June 10, 2016 794 views
Dominik Heidemeyer smiling and and leaning on a fence with ancient Ruins in the background
Many move great distances to attend school, but not many in this year’s graduating class traveled as far as Dominik Heidemeyer. Heidemeyer is originally from a small town called Hülm that is on the outskirts of Goch, Germany. He came to Western because it was close to where he ended up living with his wife [more…]
Class of 2016 | Science & technology

Grad profile: Kaylee Church

Posted on June 10, 2016 914 views
Name:  Kaylee Church Age: 21 Major/Minor: Mathematics/psychology Hometown: Damascus, Ore. Favorite campus event: New Student Week/Wind Down Wednesday Best study spot: Study room in Math building Advice to incoming freshman: “Don’t doubt yourself, go with what you like in your activities and studies.” Affordability is what put WOU on Church’s radar when she began searching for colleges. Out-of-state tuition deterred her from [more…]
Class of 2016 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad profile: Bella Borja

Posted on June 10, 2016 789 views
Bella Borja in her office at PCL smiling
College is never easy especially for those of us that have taken a longer road. Bella Borja is an amazing and personable woman who is graduating in this year’s class of 2016 as a first generation college student. Like many, she has worked her way through college often holding up to two full time jobs [more…]
Class of 2016 | Education

Grad profile: Cassie Owens

Posted on June 10, 2016 919 views
Picture of Cassie Owens
Cassie is originally from Lakewood, Wash. and majored in American Sign Language (ASL) studies and minored in special education and chose Western Oregon University because of its location which was close to home. While completing her undergraduate degree Cassie was involved in many things to help the campus. She enjoyed that as a small university [more…]
Business & global affairs | Class of 2016

Grad profile: Megan Cabison

Posted on June 10, 2016 821 views
Megan Cabison
Megan Cabison is graduating from Western Oregon University with a double major in business management and communication studies, and a minor in entrepreneurship. Cabison is from Hilo, Hawaii and chose to come to Western because of the undergraduate exchange program for Hawaiian students. She had never visited the university before move in day, but as soon as she [more…]
Class of 2016 | Health & wellness

Grad profile: Amanda Stevens

Posted on June 10, 2016 846 views
University is often where people find their passion and that is no exception for Amanda Stevens. Stevens has a great passion for health and in particular women’s health. She originally came to Western for its nursing program, but soon found that community health education was her true passion after finding it frustrating the amount of [more…]
Class of 2016 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad profile: Sabrina Riggs

Posted on June 10, 2016 894 views
Sabrina Riggs
Sabrina Riggs Salem, Ore. Political science major Undergraduate Sabrina Riggs is a graduating political science major. She was born in New York, but with her father being in the Navy, they moved all around the states until he retired. In 2006, she moved to Oregon and has been here ever since. She has been very [more…]
Class of 2016 | Health & wellness

Grad profile: Hannah Towle

Posted on June 10, 2016 806 views
Picture of Hannah Towle
Hannah Towle works as one of our advocate staff leaders as the sexual violence resource coordinator. She has assisted on multiple projects related to the Campus Against Sexual Assault grant associated with Abby’s House. Additionally, Towle has initiated her own projects in the realm of sexual violence prevention playing a key role in the CounterACT Violence campaign [more…]
Class of 2016 | Education

Grad profile: Audrey Loudenback

Posted on June 9, 2016 811 views
Name:  Audrey Ramirez-Loudenback Age: 35 Graduate program: Masters of Arts in Interpreting Studies Hometown: Milwaukie, Ore. Favorite campus event: First Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at WOU Best study spot: First floor study rooms in Hamersly Advice to incoming freshman: “Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the unknown, there’s no way you can predict your path. Go easier on yourself.” Back in 1999, Ramirez-Loudenback [more…]
Class of 2016 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad profile: Josh Henderson

Posted on June 9, 2016 790 views
Josh Henderson
Josh Henderson is graduating Western Oregon University this June with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology. Henderson is from Salem, Ore. and chose to attend WOU for the campus involvement and the close relationships with professors that a smaller university can offer. His favorite lunch to treat himself to is Momiji’s; his favorite WOU event [more…]
Class of 2016 | Education

Grad profile: Nikole Davis

Posted on June 9, 2016 798 views
Nikole Davis
Nikole Davis from Salem, Ore. will be graduating from Western Oregon University this June with a major in ASL/English Interpreting and a minor in Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling. Davis chose to go to WOU because of the highly regarded interpreting program and has enjoyed the opportunities for growth and learning the university has provided. [more…]
Class of 2016 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad profile: Emily Peterson

Posted on June 8, 2016 921 views
Emily Peterson
Name:  Emily Peterson Age: 22 Major/Minor: Psychology/American Sign Language studies Hometown: Tualatin, Ore. Favorite campus event: Holiday Tree Lighting Best study spot: Beside the piano in the WUC Advice to incoming freshman: “Have fun while you’re at Western, this is your independence. At the same time, be responsible. This school has a lot to offer so set a time to [more…]
Class of 2016 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad profile: Kevin Alejandrez

Posted on June 8, 2016 960 views
Kevin Alejandrez
Name:  Kevin Alejandrez Age: 22 Major/Minor:  Sociology/sports leadership Hometown: Independence, Ore. Best study spot: Lounge in the Werner University Center Advice to incoming freshman: “Do your thing! Be honest with what you want from college and go for it.” Growing up in Independence, Alejandrez felt some ambivalence about staying close to home for university and was considering out of state [more…]
Class of 2016 | Health & wellness

Grad profile: Becca Hazel

Posted on June 8, 2016 830 views
Becca Hazel standing near a body of water wearing a denim vest.
Becca Hazel Hillsboro, Ore. Community health major Undergraduate Becca Hazel is a graduating community health major. She has been very involved and interested in the community health projects here at Western. She chose to come to WOU because it has the OHSU nursing campus and the really small class sizes. Another reason for choosing Western [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2016

Grad profile: Joleen Braasch

Posted on June 7, 2016 1019 views
WOU grad Joleen Braasch
Joleen Braasch is a student from Salem, Ore. who will be graduating from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. She decided to come to WOU because it is close to home, she liked the idea of small class sizes, and at the time, she was interested in becoming a [more…]
Class of 2016 | Education

Grad profile: Tabitha Mortensen

Posted on June 7, 2016 884 views
Tabitha Mortensen
Tabitha Mortensen is graduating from Western Oregon University this June with a major in American Sign Language studies and a minor in psychology. Mortensen is from Salem, Ore. and is a full time mother to Zoe and Ezekiel. Her favorite lunch spot in Monmouth is Yang’s, and her favorite study spots on campus are the [more…]
Class of 2016 | Education

Commencement speaker: Betty Komp

Posted on June 6, 2016 842 views
Betty Komp
WOU alumna, Representative Betty Komp, did not start college right after high school. At age 18 she got married and started a family. Seventeen years later she was raising four kids on her own and wanted a life change. It was time to go to college. Komp knew she wanted to be an educator and [more…]
Alumni | Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Western students step into shoes of the homeless

Posted on May 27, 2016 978 views
Western students step into shoes of the homeless
Application. Waitlist. Overqualified. Underqualified. Wait in line. These words and phrases were repeated over and over again as students at Western Oregon University took on the personas of the homeless Thursday evening. The university’s Education Club organized the homeless simulation, modeled after a Habitat for Humanity program. The group said they wanted to spread awareness and help those [more…]
Alumni | Arts & culture | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Native American artist Rick Bartow turns pain into art

Posted on May 25, 2016 782 views
Rick Bartow art
Despite battling post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism spawned by serving as a soldier during the Vietnam War, Rick Bartow was not afraid to use his artistic talents to address painful aspects of life. It’s a sentiment art enthusiasts may see as they view the Native American man’s art, which is on display through July 13 [more…]
Arts & culture | Campus & community

¡La Nuestra Fiesta Latina fue increíble!

Posted on May 23, 2016 758 views
On Friday, May 20, Western Oregon University’s Multicultural Student Union hosted Nuestra Fiesta Latina, and word on the street is that this 14 hour party was quite a success! Starting at 11 a.m. there were tons of free activities for the campus community. Events like face painting, airbrush tattoos, and a jalapeño eating contest made this afternoon [more…]
Science & technology

GIS Speaker Series: An Overview

Posted on May 16, 2016 808 views
Globe
There’s still one more event in the GIS Speaker series on May 17 at 12pm in the Education Building room 105. This event is presented by Phil Smith from the Oregon Department of Transportation and will discuss how GIS can relate to and help with the transportation process. The talk is free and open to [more…]
Business & global affairs

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Posted on May 4, 2016 876 views
Yellow flags representing the millions of Jewish lives lost.
Holocaust Remembrance Day begins Wednesday, May 4 and ends the evening of Thursday, May 5. Each year, Western Oregon University puts on an event to remember the tragedy that was the Holocaust. As in previous years, volunteers will help set up flags on campus on May 3 and help take down the flags on May [more…]
Academics | Grace's posts

Preview: Leadership Recognition Night 2016

Posted on May 3, 2016 582 views
Barbara Ettenauer
The 24th annual Leadership Recognition Night this year is on May 4 and the theme will be “Leadership Awakens” to celebrate winners in a Star Wars-like fashion. This is a night where students can be recognized for their outstanding leadership demonstrated throughout their time here at WOU. Megan Habermann puts on this event with her [more…]
Arts & culture

23rd Annual Powwow

Posted on May 3, 2016 784 views
Native American men dancing the grass dance in traditional clothing.
The sounds of the host drums boomed off the walls and reverberated in the hearts of all who were present at this year’s Powwow. The Powwow is put on by Multicultural Student Union (MSU) and includes so much more than just the campus community. The Powwow is free and open to all ages and walks [more…]
Arts & culture

Western Hemisphere Orchestra Spring Tour

Posted on April 27, 2016 777 views
Last week the Western Hemisphere Orchestra toured in San Francisco, CA as part of their annual spring tour. The group, directed by Dr. Keller Coker, consists of instrumentalists and vocalists, totaling roughly twenty WOU students. The band plays a variety of styles, including jazz, rock, blues, soul, Brazilian, and pop music.  While in San Francisco, [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences

Preview: Social Science Symposium on Climate Change

Posted on April 20, 2016 784 views
Globe
This Spring term the social science division has selected a speaker series on the subject of climate change. The three speakers will be presenting on Thursdays in HWC 301 at 4pm. April 21 “Carbon Fees, Economic Benefits, and Solutions to Global Warming” Dr. Phil Harding from Oregon State University and Dr. Carla Wise from Citizen’s [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences

Presidential Politics 2016

Posted on April 13, 2016 781 views
On Thursday, April 7 the Western Oregon University’s Social Science department continued their Social Science Symposium series with a talk on the 2016 presidential election held by political science professor Dr. Ed Dover. Dr. Dover has written six major books on the presidential election process and teaches everywhere from the basics of national government to [more…]
Arts & culture

Preview: Sara Gazarek with the American Metropole Orchestra

Posted on April 3, 2016 814 views
On Friday, April 8, 2016, jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek will be performing with the American Metropole Orchestra at 7:30 pm in Rice Auditorium. The American Metropole Orchestra is a professional group of local musicians that includes WOU faculty and students. The concert will feature music from Gazarek’s album Blossom and Bee, as well as music [more…]
Arts & culture

WOU Music Department Concerts – Bossa Nova to the Beatles!

Posted on March 6, 2016 760 views
The WOU Music Department will be putting on six concerts from March 6-11 featuring everything from bossa nova to the Beatles! Tonight Orquestra Brasil presents “Mostly Bossa Nova” and tomorrow the WOU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will present “From the Heart/Love and Devotion.” If you like the Beatles, then you’ll definitely want to see [more…]
Education | Student life

Grad Student Profile: Carlee Nelson

Posted on February 19, 2016 839 views
Carlee Nelson, an honors graduate and current M.S. in Education (Information Technology) student, is sitting at her desk in the honors office in APSC. Currently serving as the Honors Program Specialist, Nelson works with her advisor Dr. Gavin Keulks in assisting the current honors students as they make their way through the program. “As a [more…]
Arts & culture

Preview: Misfortune County

Posted on January 27, 2016 829 views
The film studio Body in the Window Seat will be presenting their feature film “Misfortune County” Friday January 29 at 6:15 pm in Hamersly Library, room 107. The film studio is based out of Central Oregon, and was co-founded by WOU students Nathaniel Dunaway, Burke De Boer and Darien Campo. Filmed in Oregon, Misfortune County is [more…]
Campus & community | Social & behavioral sciences

Preview: Perspectives on Peace

Posted on January 21, 2016 822 views
The social science division has a tradition of selecting a speaker series that reflects on major classroom discussions revolving around challenges that the world faces today. Winter term 2016 will focus on Peace. “In Winter 2016, the Social Science Division is integrating the topic of peace in our classes in diverse ways: considering what it means, what [more…]
Health & wellness | Uncategorized

Succeeding in College with Aspergers

Posted on January 20, 2016 775 views
Today, the Health and Counseling Center held a seminar in the Willamette room about succeeding in college with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). If you or someone you know is affected by this syndrome, you know the struggles that can be faced, and how important it is to know how to deal with those struggles. Jaime Silva [more…]
Alumni | Health & wellness

WOU in the news: Relay gets ready to paint the town purple

Posted on January 18, 2016 883 views
Cancer Commandos
Uniting communities across the globe, Relay for Life celebrates those who have battled cancer, remembers loved ones lost to the disease and fights back by raising money to support research and help those afflicted by the illness. The signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, the event is often an overnight activity — signifying that [more…]
Arts & culture

Tips for NaNoWriMo

Posted on November 25, 2015 848 views
Maren Bradley Anderson
“What does it all mean?” Each November, hundreds of thousands of crazy people (325,000 in 2014) get together online to participate in NaNoWriMo to try to write 50,000 words of the first draft of a novel in 30 days. That’s 1,667 words a day for those who are wondering. I have completed the 50K in 30 days challenge [more…]
Arts & culture

Preview: WOU Music Department Concerts

Posted on November 16, 2015 782 views
The WOU Music Department will be hosting twelve concerts in the next few weeks, so be sure to make room in your schedule to sit back, relax, and enjoy some great music! All concerts begin at 7:30 pm* and are held on campus in either Smith Recital Hall or in Rice Auditorium. For orchestral music… [more…]
Arts & culture

Fall Art Exhibits

Posted on November 10, 2015 737 views
Art
Do you love visiting art galleries? Interested in seeing what local artists in the Willamette Valley are creating? Then you’ll definitely want to check out the exciting art exhibits at WOU this fall. From posters dating from the 1930s to recent art by WOU professors, the campus has a diverse range of exhibits on display [more…]
Arts & culture

Preview: Book of Days

Posted on November 10, 2015 791 views
On November 12 at 7:30 p.m., Western Oregon University’s Theatre and Dance Department’s fall production Book of Days, written by Lanford Wilson and directed by David Janoviak, opens at Rice Auditorium. When murder roars through a small Missouri town, Ruth Hoch begins her own quest to find truth and honesty amid small town jealousies, religion, greed and [more…]
Arts & culture

Preview: Spanish Vocal Recital

Posted on November 9, 2015 771 views
Spanish Vocal Recital Poster
On Tuesday, November 10, the WOU Music Department will open its Guest Artist Series with Spanish Song Treasures at Smith Recital Hall at 7:30 pm. The recital will feature vocals by mezzo-soprano Dr. Karen Esquivel, who will be accompanied on piano by Dr. Gustavo Castro. Both Dr. Esquivel and Dr. Castro are faculty members at [more…]
Arts & culture

Preview: Dmitri Matheny Show

Posted on November 3, 2015 771 views
Dmitri Matheny
On Wednesday, November 4, jazz musician Dmitri Matheny will be performing at Smith Recital Hall at 7:30 pm. General tickets are $8, student and senior tickets are $5, and WOU students attend for free with valid student I.D. Noted for his expressive improvising, Matheny is “one of the jazz world’s most talented horn players” (San Francisco [more…]
Arts & culture | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Realism Brings Intimacy

Posted on November 1, 2015 782 views
Published by: Polk County Itemizer-Observer by: Emily Mentzer MONMOUTH — Even small-town America is subject to greed, political and religious corruption. The residents of Dublin, Mo., are finding that out as a suspicious death clashes with a cheese factory and community theater production. Thinking about that circumstance may induce a smile, but director of Western [more…]
Business & global affairs

Preview: Ed Kawasaki Lecture

Posted on October 27, 2015 767 views
Hiroshima
On Wednesday, October 28, the Hamersly Library will be hosting a lecture by Ed Kawasaki from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Nuclear bomb survivor, Ed Kawasaki, will share his memories of being in Hiroshima on August 7, 1945 when the first nuclear bomb exploded over the city. The lecture will be held in HL 107, with [more…]
Academics | Erin's posts

12 tips for getting into grad school

Posted on October 23, 2015 592 views
This week WOU hosted its annual Grad School Week, which featured presentations for students interested in attending grad school. The presentations, which were sponsored by WOU’s Service Learning and Career Development Center, gave insight to the application process. Did you get a chance to attend any presentations? If not, read some of their best tips [more…]
Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Students empowered at conference

Posted on October 23, 2015 758 views
Published by: Statesman Journal by: Natalie Pate The Contributing Voices conference held at Western Oregon University on Friday had one message for the students in attendance: Your voice counts. More than 600 ninth graders from the Salem-Keizer School District attended the second annual Contributing Voices conference in Monmouth,where they listened to guest speakers, participated in activities and workshops, [more…]
Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: WOU wants to grow bilingual teachers

Posted on October 20, 2015 809 views
WOU logo
Published by: My Columba Basin MONMOUTH, Ore. – For a decade, Oregon has suffered a shortage of bilingual teachers according to federal statistics. Western Oregon University has decided it wants to help grow its own next generation of bilingual educators. WOU has joined forces with a few public school districts in the state to initiate [more…]
Alumni | Business & global affairs | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Graduate exposed to Syrian refugee crisis

Posted on October 20, 2015 735 views
Published by: Statesman Journal by: Natalie Pate It was always a dream of Eriqa Hermen’s to backpack across eastern Europe. When her friend wanted to go, too, they planned for the month-long adventure. Hermen was ready and raring to go. But instead of simply crossing an item off her bucket list, the recent college graduate and former Western [more…]
Health & wellness

Preview: Western Oregon University Food Day

Posted on October 20, 2015 814 views
Food
Food Day is a nationwide celebration held annually on October 24th. Food Day promotes a movement towards healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. Western Oregon University Food Day will be held Thursday, October 22 through Friday, October 23, and will feature movies, workshops, meals, and a vendor and information fair. Western Oregon University Food Day involves [more…]
Arts & culture | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Drive By Press Visits WOU

Posted on October 14, 2015 705 views
Published by: Polk County I-O by: Emily Mentzer MONMOUTH — Taylor McClure carefully guides the teal T-shirt and wooden block under the massive roller on a press at Western Oregon University. The roller has to be completely level or the print won’t turn out right. He pauses, picking up a massive wrench fabricated specially for [more…]
Health & wellness | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Forum stimulates dialog on tackling youth suicide

Posted on October 14, 2015 792 views
Published by: Sandy Post  by: Kylie Wray Following a nearly two-hour long discussion about youth suicide prevention, 52 volunteers wearing dark sweatshirts with the hoods up filed down silently to the front of the auditorium. This moment was Clackamas County Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator Galli Murray’s favorite part of the Youth Suicide Prevention Forum held on [more…]
Arts & culture | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Oregon Poets: Henry Hughes packs poems with sound, story

Posted on October 6, 2015 765 views
Published by: Statesman Journal  by: Eleanor Berry, Special to the Statesman Journal   On an August evening this past summer, poet Henry Hughes captivated an audience at the Stayton Public Library as he performed poems with accompanying photographs projected beside him and, in the second half of the program, as he read poems on fishing. Hughes [more…]
Arts & culture

2015-16 Smith Fine Arts Series

Posted on September 30, 2015 729 views
Interested in watching a concert? Want to engage in a community outreach program? Attend a picnic? Enjoy music and dance? The Smith Fine Arts Series provides all of that and more to the Monmouth community. The Smith Fine Arts Series brings world-class entertainment to Western Oregon University each year. Currently celebrating its 39th season, the [more…]
Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: First class of WOU bilingual teachers start

Posted on September 29, 2015 802 views
Published by: Statesman Journal by: Natalie Pate Nearly four dozen students at Western Oregon University started classes this week with the dream of becoming specialty teachers. Working with Central School District in Independence, Hillsboro School District and Salem-Keizer School District, Western Oregon University has created a program to increase the number of new bilingual teachers in the state. [more…]
Alumni | Campus & community | Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Seidel Excited To Make Her Return To Monmouth

Posted on September 10, 2015 737 views
Published by: Polk County Itemizer-Observer By: Emily Mentzer Kim Seidel is thrilled to return to Monmouth to work as the principal at Monmouth Elementary School. “I went to Western Oregon University,” she said. “My husband and I met here. We both said if we ever have the opportunity to live back in Monmouth, we’d do [more…]
Health & wellness

WOU goes tobacco free Sept. 18

Posted on September 1, 2015 753 views
Tobacco free
Western Oregon University will become an even safer and healthier place to study and work. As of September 18, campus will become fully tobacco free. This means no one (student, employee or visitor) can use tobacco anywhere on campus, including parking lots and residence hall areas. The City of Monmouth supported this decision and agreed [more…]
Alumni | Education | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: From students to teachers

Posted on September 1, 2015 786 views
Published by: Albany Democrat-Herald By: Jennifer Moody SWEET HOME — The toughest part about being new teachers won’t be managing classrooms of teens only a few years younger than themselves — some of whom they used to know as fellow students. The real challenge, say Drew Emmert and Ryan Graville, will be learning to call their colleagues [more…]
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WOU in the news: A Fantastical Exhibition of Extraordinary Art and Ingenious Contraptions

Posted on August 20, 2015 772 views
Story published on WillametteLive.com What if the industrial revolution never really caught on?  Imagine a world where devices and technology were powered mainly by steam.  Imagine fashions based on Victorian clothing, but without the weight of strict Victorian social and gender roles.  Imagine a world which might include a bit of magic, where there are [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: A Pod Of Their Own: Washington State Prison Keeps Veterans Together

Posted on August 10, 2015 819 views
Color Guard
Story published by KUOW By Patricia Murphy Every morning the flags at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, Washington, are raised in a color guard ceremony. The 10 men who do the job are inmates and veterans. The ceremony ends with a salute, although the solemnity and reverence can seem strange in this setting. The [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Polk County pioneer has notorious reputation

Posted on August 5, 2015 817 views
Nathaniel and Lucinda Ford
Story published in the Statesman Journal By Capi Lynn From our archives. This story originally was published as part of our Headstones of History series from mid-2002 to early 2007. Nathaniel Ford was a surveyor, schoolteacher, flatboatman and sheriff before emigrating to Oregon. The resourceful pioneer then added postmaster and state legislator to his résumé [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: National statistics on homicide arrests

Posted on July 26, 2015 737 views
Story published in the Corvallis Gazette-Times By Anthony Rimel According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in 2013, the most recent year with complete statistics available there were 13,075 murders in the United States. Of those, just over 64 percent of murder cases were “cleared,” meaning that they ended with an arrest, or through “exceptional [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Emoji aren’t silly – they could actually help the Deaf

Posted on July 17, 2015 811 views
love emoji
Published in Wired By Tim Moynihan EMOJI MIGHT BE one of the fastest-growing communication methods of the digital age, but a lot of people probably think the whole thing is silly. Yes, there are very creative rebus-like forms of emoji storytelling out there. No doubt, little pictures of hot dogs and airplanes can really spice [more…]
Arts & culture | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Why theater groups love the Shakespeare shakeup

Posted on July 16, 2015 752 views
As You Like It
Published in the Statesman Journal By Tom Mayhall Rastrelli How do you like your Shakespeare? Are you a purist, who prefers a traditional Elizabethan presentation of the Bard’s masterpieces, or do you like productions that mix things up by setting them in different time periods or outrageous settings? If you prefer your Shakespeare shaken not [more…]
Alumni | Arts & culture | WOU in the news

WOU in the news: Concert band welcomes Pink Martini founder, Latin music

Posted on July 16, 2015 758 views
Kurleen Nowickas
Published in the Statesman Journal By Tom Mayhall Rastrelli Tickets go on sale Monday, July 20, for Salem Concert Band’s upcoming special-event concerts “Thomas Lauderdale Plays Gershwin” and “Pinots of the Caribbean.” ‘Thomas Lauderdale Plays Gershwin’ Lauderdale is the founder of the internationally renown band Pink Martini. He’ll join conductor John Skelton and the Salem Concert [more…]