Campus & community | Jasper's posts | Student life | Writers

Willamette Promise Student Leadership Institute Brings Students to Campus

Posted on January 14, 2022 5756 views
In partnership with the Willamette Education Service District, WOU hosted the Willamette Promise Student Leadership Institute in August. I interviewed Addie Howell, the Accelerated Learning Manager at Willamette Promise, about the program, and what it aims to do for students. Ok, big picture: What is the Willamette Promise? What is its mission? The Willamette Promise [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture | Campus & community | Jasper's posts | Student life | Writers

MLK Celebration Week at WOU Promotes Black Excellence Through Storytelling

Posted on January 12, 2022 2459 views 2 comments
MLK week banner
Western Oregon University’s week of activities celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is Jan. 17-21. I interviewed Alexis Larson, a member of the 2022 MLK Jr. Celebration Week Planning Committee, about the inspiration of the events of the week. The overarching theme of this year’s celebration is promoting Black excellence [more…]
Campus & community | Jasper's posts | Student life | Writers

National Student Exchange Program Creates Opportunities for Students

Posted on January 3, 2022 1461 views
Student in front of palm trees
The National Student Exchange (NSE) program is hosting several informational sessions this January for all who are interested! In anticipation of these sessions, I had the pleasure of interviewing NSE coordinator Emmanuel Macías and Liam Birr, a NSE participant, about the wonderful opportunities made possible through the program. NSE is a domestic collegiate study-away program, [more…]
Academics | Arts & culture | Campus & community | Jasper's posts | Science & technology | Student life | Writers

New Destination Western Program Succeeds in Preparing Students

Posted on November 22, 2021 1933 views
Destination Western Participants
Destination Western (DW) is an all-new two-week residential program that wrapped up prior to the start of the 2021-22 academic year. I had the dual pleasure of not only participating in the program itself, but also interviewing some of the brilliant minds behind it. Megan Habermann is the director of new student and family programs [more…]
Student life

Student Q&A: Kayley Arpaia

Posted on February 8, 2021 295 views
Kayley Arpaia is an active and notable member of WOU’s campus community. She’s a third year Biology major with an emphasis in Zoology, and she is working toward a double minor in ASL and Social Sciences.   Why did you choose WOU? I originally chose WOU because I wanted to become an ASL/English Interpreter. I [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences | Student life

Why I Chose WOU: Students Share Their Journeys to WOU

Posted on January 26, 2021 377 views
WOU sign at the front of campus, glossy black with gold lettering, greenery behind it. Campus appears wet from rain.
The college selection process can be pretty daunting, especially during this time. It’s a difficult decision to make, but thankfully there’s always individuals who are happy to share their experiences. We spoke to WOU students about their college selection process, and their experience at WOU, so far. One Student featured is Hannah Young, a Public [more…]
Student life

Connecting with Professors and Classmates Online

Posted on August 31, 2020 669 views
Werner University Center exterior with blue skies in background
With classes being conducted online this upcoming fall term, it can be difficult to build relationships with professors and peers. Without face-to-face, weekly interaction, it’s so easy to forgo making connections, and just work on your own. However, solid relationships with professors and peers are the foundation of a successful college experience. Having a rapport [more…]
Student life

Student Health and Counseling Center Q&A

Posted on April 27, 2020 294 views
Due to Spring Term campus closures, the SHCC is not currently available for in-person visits. Students can still book appointments with doctors and counselors and conduct their meetings through phone calls. The office also offers COVID testing to students, given that students have called beforehand and meet the requirements. The SHCC’s hours remain the same. [more…]
Student life

Club Feature: Model UN

Posted on April 20, 2020 347 views
17 members of WOU's Model UN club pose in Model UN sweatshirts in the airport.
WOU’s Model United Nations, or Model UN, is an extracurricular activity that allows students to learn about international relations and diplomacy in a scholarly setting. The club includes “[discussions of] Model UN events, conferences, and current events. We sometimes do workshops to help learn the process and improve our speaking and writing skills.” Recently, we [more…]
Student life

6 Tips to Say Goodbye to Procrastination

Posted on April 13, 2020 754 views
Street view of the large Hamersly Library, a three-story building with many windows.
With the switch to remote classes for spring term, it can be easy for students to feel overwhelmed with the amount of work that needs to be done. Unfortunately, with this comes every college student’s greatest enemy: procrastination. However, with a few key tricks, it’s easy to overcome the temptation of putting off work. Here’s [more…]
Student life

A WOU Student’s Adventures in Scotland

Posted on April 2, 2020 306 views
Chloe Miller stands in front of a bright red door in Stirling, Scotland.
We spoke with Miller in fall of 2019, before she returned from Scotland.  WOU student Chloe Miller studied abroad at Stirling University in Stirling, Scotland during fall term. A Bend, Oregon native, she is a History major with a Dance minor, and started her junior year at WOU this fall. We had the opportunity to [more…]
Student life

3 Steps to Commencement

Posted on March 12, 2020 458 views
Are you a WOU senior anticipating commencement? Or even a junior planning ahead for that big day? Before you order your cap and gown and walk across that stage, there are a few steps to keep in mind to prepare for graduation. Firstly, you do not need to be graduating that spring term to attend [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Next Week at WOU (March 9 to 15)

Posted on March 6, 2020 2890 views
Pink cherry blossoms
Looking for things to do at Western Oregon University this next week? We’ve got you covered with a selection of upcoming events. See the full calendar here or on your MyWOU app. If you are hosting a campus event, be sure to add it to the calendar by visiting calendar.wou.edu and click “submit event.” Important [more…]
Student life

5 Places to Volunteer Near WOU

Posted on March 5, 2020 258 views
Back entrance of the Werner University Center. Many stair lead up to the glass entrance. Tables with chairs and a red trashcan sit near the entrance.
Volunteering can offer students both the fulfillment that accompanies assisting the community around them and the opportunity to expand their resume skills. Here’s some opportunities on or around campus that you can pursue.  Alternative Break:  Alternative Break is a program on campus that sends students to other locations, both domestic and international, to serve communities [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Women of Culture Celebration 2020

Posted on March 3, 2020 1905 views
[Co-written by Cheyan Swan and Erin Worley] This Wednesday, March 4, WOU’s Multicultural Student Union (MSU) is hosting their Women of Culture Celebration in the WUC’s Columbia Room. There is no cost to attend, but registration is necessary. Interested individuals can head to MSSP Office during their weekday hours of 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Bullet Journals: A Creative Way to Stay Organized

Posted on March 2, 2020 2559 views 1 comment
Weekly bullet journal page decorated with leaves
College can be an incredibly busy time in a student’s life, and that is no different for Ellen Moore, an Education Studies major from Portland, Oregon. Currently, Ellen is involved with the National Residence Hall Honorary, Ambassadors, PLUS Team, the Housing and Dining Advisory Committee, and is a student office assistant for the Vice President [more…]
Student life

4 Things to Do Over Spring Break

Posted on February 27, 2020 270 views
Spring Break is approaching quickly, and after the chaotic bustle of prep week and finals, we can find ourselves at a loss for how to spend this free week before jumping back into the hustle.  Although Alternative Break applications are closed for this year (they close October 20th, if you would like to sign up [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Club Spotlight: Black Student Union

Posted on February 24, 2020 2382 views
WOU's Black Student Union gathers for a picture. 10 individuals stand in front of a white board with smiles on their faces and arms wrapped around one another.
WOU’s Black Student Union (BSU) is one of several student organizations on campus focused on supporting our students and creating an inclusive space for them to thrive. On the organization’s Engage page, it mentions that “The Black Student Union exists to promote cultural awareness, political awareness, and to provide support for all the students and [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

WOU Club Feature: Acapella

Posted on February 15, 2020 2330 views 1 comment
Eleven members of WOU's Acapella Club stand in front of a projector. They are all smiling.
Did you know WOU has an Acapella Club? We sat down with co-president Olivia Martin to learn more about the club.  What is a typical meeting like at the Acapella Club? A typical meeting for Acapella Club consists of mostly learning and perfecting new music, along with a decent amount of goofing around! We start [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Next Week at WOU (Feb. 10 to 16)

Posted on February 6, 2020 1846 views
Paper pink and red hearts in a row.
Looking for things to do at WOU next week? We’ve got you covered with a selection of upcoming events. See the full calendar here or on your MyWOU app. Important Notices Community members are welcome to attend public lectures, athletic events and more. Come explore what’s happening at Western Oregon University. Tuesday, Feb. 11 COFFEE [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Residence Halls: Ackerman

Posted on February 5, 2020 2201 views
Students studying in a hallway in Ackerman Hall
Ackerman Hall is the newest amongst WOU’s first-year housing options. It is comprised of three coed wings per floor, spanning up through three full residence floors. Zac Cole, the RA for Third Taylor this academic year, characterized Ackerman’s community experience by its mixed class nature. Ackerman is the only residence hall that fills each hall [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

WOU’s Handshake May Lead to a Handshake

Posted on January 27, 2020 2323 views
Picture of a computer screen
Western Oregon University students and alumni seeking employment opportunities should start with Handshake. And, hopefully that leads to a congratulatory handshake. Handshake is a job and information site used by employers and recruiters to post jobs, internships and events available for WOU students and alumni. The site is accessed through the WolfLink program in students’ [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Western Oregon University students find inspiration in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work and words

Posted on January 24, 2020 2892 views
Standing ovation in front of a stage where three people are standing
The words and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have provided inspiration and guidance to Western Oregon University students Chanrithy Fuller-Avalos, Priscila España and Jake Sutherby. The three students’ paths recently merged when they were chosen as the top three contestants in WOU’s MLK Jr. Student Essay Competition. The students wrote essays based on [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

National Student Exchange Allows WOU Students to Explore New Cultures

Posted on January 18, 2020 2240 views
Emmanuel talking with a student
The National Student Exchange (NSE) is a program that allows college students to study at another university for a partial or full school year. Participating universities are located both domestically in the United States, as well as in Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. Where NSE differs from traditional study abroad programs [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

WOU Welcomes Family and Friends

Posted on January 15, 2020 1948 views
People sitting around the table enjoying a meal with Wolfie.
There are the many reasons Western Oregon University students Hailey Silberfarb and McKenzie Wolfe-Webb are eager to have their families visit during WOU Family Weekend later this month “Family weekend is filled with entertainment while also having much-needed breaks that allow your parents to help stock your fridge,” junior Wolfe-Webb said. “It’s nice to have [more…]
Sports & recreation | Student life | WOU in the news

WOU in the News: Race to Redemption: Taft grad Arce-Torres Puts Future Ahead of Past

Posted on March 6, 2019 1774 views
Few people understand the importance of getting from here to there the fastest than 2018 Taft High graduate Gabe Arce-Torres. Among the state’s speediest sprinters on last spring’s Tigers track and field team, Arce-Torres was virtually unstoppable in bursting from starting block to finishing tape in Oregon’s small-school ranks. Then, somebody threw a roadblock in [more…]
Student life

Decorating Your Dorm

Posted on May 25, 2018 1794 views
decorating your dorm takes two
You’re in your dorm, fresh and ready for the year that’s coming. But there’s something missing from the room. The dorm is bland, grey, and you’ve got to figure out exactly how to live with your new roommate while bringing some pizzaz to your dorm. So, why not hit two birds with one stone and [more…]
Student life

What Is a Bullet Journal

Posted on May 9, 2018 1967 views
As someone who is nearing completion of my fourth year of college, I have to say that the bullet journal (bujo) has been an vital addition to my life. A bullet journal, in its essence, is a way to manage life’s tasks and organize everything that you need to get done. The original bullet journal [more…]
Student life

Reading for Fun in College

Posted on May 3, 2018 1834 views
When the term starts and the wave of reading for classes comes, it is hard to pick up a book to read for fun. Between time management, personal motivation, and prioritizing, reading for personal benefit typically takes the back burner. After taking Young Adult Literature during Winter 2018, I’ve collected some ideas and tips for [more…]
Features | Student life

Feature: WOU Students Explore Globe with Study Abroad Program

Posted on December 27, 2017 3740 views
When Study Abroad Advisor Akaanchya Pradhan first meets with a student to discuss options for studying in another country, she usually doesn’t know what to expect. Some students have used the program’s online tool to narrow down their options, while others don’t know anything about studying abroad and all its ramifications. Pradhan said she generally [more…]
Features | Student life

Feature: WUE Program a Boon for WOU Student Population

Posted on December 13, 2017 2266 views
WUE map
Western Oregon University has been an active member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) for more than a decade, but Director of Admissions Rob Findtner still meets students who are unfamiliar with WICHE’s most popular program, the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). “You can never assume that people know,” said Findtner, who, like [more…]
Features | Student life

Feature: ASWOU President Believes It’s Never too Late to Get Involved

Posted on October 5, 2017 1920 views
ASWOU President Jessica Freeman
A student’s first few terms at a four-year university can get a little hectic. Jessica Freeman ’18 gets it. But the Associated Students of Western Oregon University (ASWOU) president said that getting involved in a club or organization can make a world of difference for students acclimating to their new environment. While students may worry [more…]
Features | Student life

Feature: Financial Aid Counselors Help Students Understand Assistance

Posted on September 28, 2017 1874 views
Financial aid office staff
Financial Aid is the most popular office in the Western Oregon University Lieuallen Administration building this week, with students lining up to talk with counselors about their aid packets and to hammer out lingering details. The office staff is primed to help students as efficiently as possible. On Monday alone, the group served 104 students [more…]
Class of 2016 | Student life

Julia McCullough Smith Award: Han Vu Gia Nguyen

Posted on June 11, 2016 1940 views
Han Vu Gia Nguyen
The year before she came to Western as a freshman, Han Vu Gia Nguyen had moved to the United States from Vietnam with her parents. Now, just five years later, this year’s Julia McCulloch Smith award recipient for outstanding senior female is fluent in a new language, achieved significant academic and extracurricular success, and is [more…]
Class of 2016 | Student life

Grad profile: Conner Williams

Posted on June 10, 2016 1744 views
Name:  Conner Williams Age: 22 Major/minor: Humanities/economics Hometown: Molalla, Ore. Favorite campus event: New Student Week Best study spot: Terry House Advice to incoming freshman: “Get involved a little earlier. As a freshman, you can easily get caught up in the mindset of having a college experience as it’s shown in movies, but there’s much more to your time in college.” For [more…]
Class of 2016 | Student life

Grad profile: Shay Guyton

Posted on June 10, 2016 1766 views
Name:  Shay Guyton Age: 21 Major/Minor: Community health education/psychology Hometown: Hillsboro, Ore. Favorite campus event: New Student Week Best study spot: Floor of residence halls, or study rooms in Hamersly Library Advice to incoming freshman: “Keep doing the things you love. Don’t let other people tell you not to do them. I was hesitant to join things as a freshman, but [more…]
Class of 2016 | Student life

Grad profile: Tuyen Bolton

Posted on June 10, 2016 1624 views
Name:  Tuyen Bolton Age: 22 Major/Minor:  Interdisciplinary studies with focuses in humanities, social science and health/physical education Hometown: Raised in Eugene / born in Soc Trang, Vietnam Advice to incoming freshman: “Remember that it’s important to maintain a solid GPA throughout college to graduate and get into graduate school and beyond, but they are not [more…]
Class of 2016 | Student life

Grad profile: Madison Malot

Posted on June 9, 2016 1714 views
Name:  Madison Malot Age: 21 Major/Minor: English literature/American Sign Language Hometown: Central Point, Ore.  Favorite campus event: Performance by Dip-Hop rapper WAWA, part of Western Accessibility Awareness Month (WAAM) Best study spot: Rick’s Place or the second floor of Hamersly Library Advice to incoming freshman: “Be more confident and don’t freak out if you make changes [more…]
Education | Student life

Grad Student Profile: Carlee Nelson

Posted on February 19, 2016 1714 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…]
Student life

Veteran Success Center makes a campus comeback

Posted on February 2, 2016 1796 views
Veterans Resource Center
Passion, drive and enthusiasm. These are three words that best describe Andrew Holbert, the new coordinator of the Veteran Success Center. Holbert started working at Western in December 2015 and in just six short weeks he has transformed the Veteran Success Center into an inviting, calm, well-appointed and welcoming lounge for student veterans. He has worked feverishly alongside Cody Knight, [more…]
Student life | Uncategorized

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Western Acapella

Posted on December 15, 2015 1824 views
Western Oregon University’s campus acapella clubs, 15 Miles West & Suspended, have released a music video for the holidays.  “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is now available for viewing on YouTube. The video was a creative collaboration between the WOU men’s and women’s acapella clubs, led by Grant Harris.  “We wanted to get more [more…]
Student life | WOU in the news

“I Go To W-O-U” Music Video

Posted on September 15, 2015 1854 views
Western Oregon University’s Digital Production Services (DPS) has released the university’s first official music video.  The video features original lyrics composed and performed by 15 Miles West, a campus student organization and men’s acapella group.  Titled “I Go To W-O-U” the song is based on the 1982 hit “Hungry Like The Wolf” recorded by Duran [more…]
Alumni | Campus & community | Student life | WOU in the news

Wolfie’s got a new look

Posted on September 10, 2015 1714 views
Western Oregon University is thrilled to welcome its incoming student class. This year is particularly special as the class includes a “new face” for Waldo “Wolfie” Wolfe, the beloved WOU mascot. The old costume officially graduated with the class of 2015. You have five opportunities this fall to check-out Wolfie’s new look. First is at [more…]
Student life

Cheyenne Standing-Elk, named for her tribe

Posted on June 26, 2015 1851 views
Cheyenne Standing-Elk was raised by the Caucasian side of her family, but she bears the name of her Native American ancestors: the Cheyenne tribe. As the director of the Student Activities Board (SAB), she is one of few Native American students to hold a position of leadership on campus. At Western Oregon University, “You don’t [more…]
Student life

The Prayer and Meditation Room

Posted on June 8, 2015 1730 views
In Western Oregon University’s Maaske Hall is a quiet room for prayer and meditation. It is open to anyone on campus seeking a peaceful place to pray or reflect. During most of the week, only a few people use it each day, but the international club occasionally reserves it for meetings, and Muslim students gather [more…]
Student life

Gabriel McKay, Criminal Justice Major and Bronco Rider

Posted on June 5, 2015 1767 views
At Western Oregon University, Gabriel McKay is a senior in criminal justice; at home in eastern Oregon, he is a rancher and a bucking bronco rider. After graduating, he plans to return to his family’s ranch and apply to police departments near his home or join the National Guard. Whichever path he chooses, he will [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Culture In Motion

Posted on April 22, 2015 1563 views
Werner University Center’s Pacific Room was filled with music, color and dance Saturday. Dancers and musicians from across the country attended the event, hosted by the WOU’s Multicultural Student Union. Polk County Itemizer-Observer by Aaron Yost  
Student life

This Show’s A Drag

Posted on April 8, 2015 1601 views
MONMOUTH — The contents of Pandora’s Box have always been trouble. Tell the classic tale in the context of Western Oregon University’s Triangle Alliance’s annual Drag Show, and the chaos released is red hot trouble. Now in its 19th-year, the racy, campy display that is the Drag Show will be producing “Out of Pandora’s Box,” [more…]
Student life

Operation Help or Hush spends spring break in Ferguson

Posted on March 26, 2015 1575 views
It was only the beginning of the third round of Ferguson Alternative Spring Break, and already tears had been shed and beliefs challenged. Alternative spring breaks are far from a new idea. For years, thousands of college students have ventured away from the traditional fun-in-the-sun to dedicate their time to community service. Large non-profit groups [more…]
Student life

Local college students pass on beach to volunteer, learn

Posted on March 25, 2015 1521 views
Spring break for many college students means heading home to unwind, jetting off on adventures or flocking south in search of warmer beaches. But dozens of students from local colleges are bypassing that traditional experience this week to volunteer during their time off. Alternative spring break programs draw students who want to help make a [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

‘Family Weekend’ Slated At WOU

Posted on February 17, 2015 1496 views
MONMOUTH — Packs of families will converge on Western Oregon University’s campus Friday through Sunday for WOU’s Family Weekend Getaway. The event, which kicks off Friday with registration at 5 p.m. at the Werner University Center, is not just for students, but open to all in the WOU family: current students, former students, those with [more…]
Student life

Gaming At A New Level

Posted on February 4, 2015 1536 views
MONMOUTH — Two teams were locked in battle. Shouts of joy, frustration and laughter filled the room. Welcome to “League of Legends.” The Western Oregon eSports club, founded in 2014, is open to any video game, on any gaming console, but the game “League of Legends” has dominated weekly meetings. “It’s the game I’ve played [more…]
Arts & culture | Student life

Fight Wolves, Fight!

Posted on October 29, 2014 1694 views
MONMOUTH — For the first time in roughly 44 years, Western Oregon University once again has lyrics to its fight song, thanks to the efforts of Ike Nail. The lyrics have been on paper but unapproved for a few years, said Nail, associate professor of music and the band and orchestra director at WOU. The [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

City Has New Latino Liaison

Posted on September 30, 2014 1476 views
INDEPENDENCE — When Kevin Salvador Alejandrez took the reins of Independence’s Latino outreach program on Sept. 2, he wasn’t quite sure where he would take the program. “It’s still kind of iffy I think,” he said. “I think right now what I’m planning on is taking what Elizabeth Calixtro (his predecessor) has left behind and [more…]
Student life

RA, ASWOU President, temporary bottle blonde – the many hats of Travis Meuwissen

Posted on June 14, 2014 1538 views
Travis has been an active part of Western’s community for the last four years. From being an RA to ASWOU president—Travis has done it all. He is majoring in Public Policy and Administration, with a concentration in state and federal government, and minoring in Communication Studies. Currently a senior, Travis is preparing for Commencement and [more…]
Student life

Ireland Bound – Kimberlee Bartle

Posted on June 14, 2014 1558 views
Ireland flag
Graduating in the coming days, Kimberlee has discovered her passions and is excited for her next chapter. Her time here at WOU has been characterized with many shiftings of her major, but it eventually settled upon English Writing and Humanities Literature and French. While she would have liked to have attained a double degree by [more…]
Student life

Skyler Edmison – a hardworking and determined student

Posted on June 13, 2014 1612 views
Skyler is a hard-working and determined Western Oregon student. Currently a senior, majoring in Earth Science with a minor in Geography, Skyler is spending his last days at WOU preparing for Commencement. Here are a few highlights from his time at Western. Decisions Skyler comes from Forest Grove, Oregon. He originally came to Western to [more…]
Student life

“Stay on the sunny side” – with Tara Ostrander

Posted on June 12, 2014 1504 views
Tara comes from the small town of Vernonia, Ore. When searching for colleges she wanted a close, affordable school, with a good dance program. At the time, she had not danced since she was a young girl, but the prospect of getting involved with dance team was something she was interested in. Tara found Western [more…]
Student life

ARA, diversity scholar, and honors student – Jose Garcia

Posted on June 12, 2014 1492 views
Jose Garcia is a senior at WOU and comes from Salem, Oregon and enjoys the home-like and community feel of Western’s campus. Jose says he was originally interested in the school because “it was close enough to home that I could still see my family, but far enough that I could distance myself.” He is [more…]
Student life

Honesty and Politics–Ryan McBee

Posted on June 11, 2014 1501 views
Graduating in just a few short days, Ryan McBee is counting down, ready to jump into his future. His passion in politics, he is graduating with a degree in political science and a minor in communications. He aspires to be an United States Senator. “You can sit at home on the couch and want to [more…]
Student life

Mad Hatter – Dana Houston Jackson

Posted on June 11, 2014 1661 views
About to graduate in June, Dana Houston Jackson is very stylish woman who wears many hats. Being a non-traditional college student is only one small hat that she manages to wear. This high achieving woman also home-schools her 9-year-old son, tutors students, runs a website and household, and is managing to take at least 17 [more…]
Education | Student life

Western Oregon University Class of 2014

Posted on June 10, 2014 1564 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Emily Mentzer June 10, 2014   MONMOUTH — Anthony Medina didn’t feel like a minority until he started classes at Western Oregon University. His hometown of Gervais, near Woodburn, has a 70 percent Latino population. “So that’s what I grew up with,” he said. “That’s what I thought was normal. I [more…]
Student life

A friend, a student, and a leader: Jordyn Ducotey’s life as a sophomore at WOU

Posted on May 31, 2014 1592 views
Jordyn Ducotey is currently a sophomore, studying Communication and minoring in ASL studies. She is known throughout Western’s campus for her fun personality and leadership initiative. I recently got the opportunity to sit down with Jordyn and learn more about her life as a Western Oregon student. Jordyn comes from Bothell Washington, a town about [more…]
Student life

Young veteran seeking to assist other veterans

Posted on May 20, 2014 1736 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Emily Mentzer March 20, 2014 MONMOUTH — Veterans have many faces. Their history has been fascinating to study, said Dolan Kasnick, 28. “Vietnam is the most galvanized in our minds,” he said. “World War II had ticker-tape parades, but with Vietnam, that was a most unfortunate situation.” Those returning from the [more…]
Student life

WOU Safe Zone celebrates its eighth birthday

Posted on May 6, 2014 1476 views
Safe Zone is a group here at Western that strives to make everyone feel welcomed and included, no matter what gender, race, sexuality, or personal identification is. Safe Zone works to educate and train faculty, staff, and students to become allies for the LGBTQQIAA community as well as make Western Oregon University a more accepting [more…]
Student life

Chasing His Dream – Andy Fry

Posted on May 5, 2014 1558 views
As summer approaches, students are looking for things to do, whether that be a job, volunteer experience, vacation, or internship. That’s exactly what Andy Fry is meaning to do, just as he did the previous summer. Last summer he participated in 5 week summer internship in Hawaii researching theoretical math. Fry—a junior this year—is majoring [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Students brave rain to see future school

Posted on April 2, 2014 1595 views 1 comment
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Emily Mentzer April 2, 2014 MONMOUTH — Stephanie Milbrodt, 18, was disappointed that she didn’t get to see the housing facilities during her first tour of Western Oregon University. “I wanted to know where I wanted to live,” she said after learning the housing host was not available that day. “But [more…]
Student life

Western senior lands prestigious internship

Posted on March 25, 2014 1410 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Emily Mentzer March 25, 2014   MONMOUTH — Western Oregon University has no journalism program, but that hasn’t stopped it from producing a young journalist worthy of receiving a Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism paid internship. “I feel like I’m growing more here without a program,” said senior Laura [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Veterans center planned for WOU

Posted on March 5, 2014 1447 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Emily Mentzer March 4th, 2014   MONMOUTH — Military veterans have different challenges than someone right out of high school, and Western Oregon University is working to help that group of students. Western already had some resources for veteran students, including a veteran reintegration class, which provides information on how to [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

WOU stands up to violence

Posted on February 18, 2014 1405 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Emily Mentzer February 18th, 2014   MONMOUTH — Students at Western Oregon University spent the holiday of love standing up against violence of all kinds. Abby’s House advocates organized an event to raise awareness and rise against violence in conjunction with the worldwide V Day events. “We’re going to sing out, [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Food insecurity present on college campuses

Posted on February 18, 2014 1425 views
Statesman Journal By Saerom Yoo February 18th, 2014 Mike Royer, manager of Western Oregon University’s food pantry, which provides sustenance and supplies for students and Monmouth community members in need. / Thomas Patterson / Statesman Journal A study has found that 59 percent of students at Western Oregon University have faced food insecurity at some [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Give your bike a second life

Posted on December 18, 2013 1418 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Emily Mentzer December 18th, 2013 MONMOUTH — Staff at Western Oregon University want your unused bicycles for their Visiting Scholar Program. The program is an exchange between Western and other universities around the world, said Sarah Nagel, international student adviser. “While they are here, they’re treated as faculty,” she said. “Most [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Army veteran assists at crash

Posted on December 4, 2013 1383 views
  Albany Democrat-Herald By Jennifer Moody James Myrick, others tend to injured driver until help comes By 8:30 a.m., James Myrick is usually just arriving at Western Oregon University for the classes he needs for his education degree. Tuesday, however, the 25-year-old was running late — and those extra minutes may have helped keep a [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Underserved Century High School students admitted to college at the end of a university field trip

Posted on November 25, 2013 2702 views
The Oregonian By Luke Hammill The relief was visible on the Century High School students’ faces at Western Oregon University. “I’ve been checking the mail every day. … It’s really surreal,” said Tasha Cockreham. “I expected it, but I had my reasonable belief that I might not,” added Gabriel Jones. And after Julio Viveros received [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

WOU ready to celebrate ‘Who’

Posted on November 19, 2013 1396 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Emily Mentzer MONMOUTH — To celebrate 50 years of “Doctor Who,” the BBC TV series started in 1963, the Western Oregon University Bookstore will host a party Wednesday (today) and Thursday at 1 p.m. at the bookstore. Mara Hoaglin, web specialist and head cashier, built two large displays for the occasion: [more…]
Student life

Chichester college students take trip of lifetime to USA

Posted on November 15, 2013 1522 views
Chichester Observer November 13th, 2013 STUDENTS from Chichester College have crossed the Atlantic to experience the trip of a lifetime. The college has developed a partnership with Western Oregon University in Oregon in the USA to provide opportunities for students’ learning and sharing good practice. As part of the project, four students from Chichester College [more…]
Student life

Oregon college students to talk leadership at conference

Posted on November 14, 2013 1325 views
Statesman Journal By Peter Wong Two college students will talk about their experiences at a national leadership conference. The public event will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the mall-level meeting room at Capital Manor, 1955 Salem-Dallas Highway NW, Salem. The event is sponsored by the Salem branch of American Association of University Women. The [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Hillsboro seniors could earn college credit this year without taking AP or IB courses

Posted on November 14, 2013 2683 views
Oregonian By Luke Hammill High school students in the Hillsboro School District might find out at the end of this year that they’ve received college credit at Western Oregon University, without having taken Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses – the traditional methods of getting college credit in high school. Thanks to a new partnership [more…]
Education | Student life

Students teaching students

Posted on November 7, 2013 1474 views
Photo by Jolene Guzman // Students in Connie Olliff’s third-grade class climb through trees in Dallas City Park during Lyle’s outdoor school. Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Jolene Guzman November 5th, 2013 DALLAS — Red leaves, yellow leaves, flat leaves, thin leaves — plus a few insects and birds — were the stars of Lyle Elementary [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Western Oregon University awarded $300,000 for continuing sexual violence prevention

Posted on October 4, 2013 1415 views
September 25th, 2013 Statesman Journal By Laura Fosmire   Western Oregon University has been awarded $300,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to continue and expand the campus-wide effort to prevent and respond to sexual violence. The full press release is included below: The U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women awarded $300,000 [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Report shows not all college degrees are equal

Posted on July 13, 2013 1484 views
By Laura Fosmire Statesman Journal It’s one of the questions at the center of the ongoing debate about education and student loan debt: Which is more valuable? A science degree or a humanities degree? The numbers confirm what many graduates already know: Arts and humanities students face lower salaries and fewer jobs; math, science and [more…]
Education | Student life

Record-breaking class leaves WOU

Posted on June 15, 2013 1455 views
By Justin Much Statesman Journal (click for photo album and video) MONMOUTH — Western Oregon University celebrated a record-breaking graduating class Saturday. The class of 2013 had 1,370 graduates, eclipsing last year’s by 141 students. Turnout for the midday commencement was a standing-room only crowd that filled the stadium and McArther Field and spilled into a shady [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Life Lessons

Posted on June 11, 2013 1385 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer Jolene Guzman June 04, 2013 DALLAS — Just three years ago, Dallas resident Amy Ringering felt trapped. She was in a relationship with a controlling and abusive man. Without a high school education and two young boys to support, Ringering believed she had no option but to stay. That is until she [more…]
Campus & community | Education | Student life

WOU plans for June 15 commencement

Posted on June 7, 2013 1413 views
  Statesman Journal  By Justin Much  June 7th, 2013    Western Oregon University announced that its 2013 graduating class of 1,370 students will be the largest in school history, eclipsing last year’s total by 141 students.   The commencement ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15, and WOU’s McArthur Field. Event speakers [more…]
Student life

Greek life coming to Western Oregon University

Posted on May 16, 2013 1387 views
  Statesman Journal (blog) By Justin Much May 14th, 2013   It took a little over a century and a half, but the first known Greek life at Western Oregon University stands to arrive on campus this Saturday. On Saturday, May 18, WOU will have its first fraternity initiated, Kappa Sigma the Sigma Tau chapter, [more…]
Campus & community | Education | Student life

Students rally at Capitol

Posted on May 6, 2013 1421 views
  The Clackamas Print  By Patty Salazar May 1st, 2013   On what would normally be a quiet day on the Salem Capitol steps, last Thursday turned out to be a rather full day. Hundreds of Oregon college students were there promoting funding for higher education; students from all over Oregon attended the Salem rally. [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Abby’s House at WOU announces ‘Sexual Assault Awareness Month’ events

Posted on April 11, 2013 1393 views
Statesman Journal By Justin Much April 10, 2013 Abby’s House at Western Oregon University is holding events throughout the month of April to increase public awareness about the prevalence and adverse effects of sexual assault, for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Abby’s House is a resource and referral center for a large variety of issues, and [more…]
Social & behavioral sciences | Student life

New WOU program prepares students for gerontology work

Posted on March 4, 2013 1497 views
Photo: Western Oregon University student Amy Ringering interacts with David Small, Helen Hiebert, Lily Goodwin, Berna Howry and Brownie Fausset during a memory exercise at Dallas Retirement Village. As part of WOU’s gerontology program, students spend time in the community with older adults. / DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal Statesman Journal By Cara Pallone Grace Hampton [more…]
Student life

Experience drives WOU student’s project

Posted on January 14, 2013 1424 views
Statesman Journal By Justin Much When he initially learned about the Maurice Undergraduate Initiative Competition, Western Oregon University student Matt Verley didn’t have much time to put together a proposal. What he did have was passion for his subject, and that sparked a proposal in almost no time. Verley, a 29-year-old junior majoring in public [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Chamber set to welcome new WOU students

Posted on September 1, 2012 1416 views
Photo Credit: Pete Strong/Itemizer-Observer Western Oregon University anticipates more than 750 freshmen and transfer students arriving on campus during new student week – and many of them will be hungry. New Student Feed is planned for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, along Church Street on campus. Hosted by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce [more…]
Student life

CNMI mourns Army specialist from Tinian

Posted on July 30, 2012 1517 views
Saipan Tribune Tinian resident Francisco “Frank” Mendiola, 49, said his whole body went numb when he first heard that his son, the late U.S. Army Specialist Hanson Mendiola, was brought to the intensive care unit and passed away in Texas on July 22. His son was 29. “It was so hard and painful to hear [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Teens ‘bound’ for success

Posted on July 24, 2012 1460 views
By Craig Coleman Polk County Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — Courtney Dumond had a full morning of physics, pre-calculus and anatomy classes on Thursday at Western Oregon University. In the afternoon, she was at Salem Hospital for her internship. The 17-year-old Dallas High student returned to campus for dinner, study hall and team-building activities — and then [more…]
Education | Student life

Grads urged to live in moment

Posted on June 17, 2012 1442 views
Statesman Journal By Justin Much Western Oregon University bid farewell Saturday to its largest graduating class in history. The class of 2012 had 1,281 graduates, and at least 860 of them participated in Saturday’s ceremony. Attendees spilled over into standing room only areas outside the packed McArthur Field and crowded the new gymnasium to watch [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

‘Hungry Like the Wolf’

Posted on June 12, 2012 1527 views
  Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Craig Coleman MONMOUTH — Laurie ONeal said the issue of Western Oregon University students going hungry never occurred to her until two weeks ago. A forthcoming graduate, ONeal said she had given a short spiel during a health class about a food pantry she was organizing on campus. A classmate [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Roosevelt grads make a college connection

Posted on June 7, 2012 1667 views
Portland Tribune By Laura Frazier Two years ago, Roosevelt High School senior Alexandria Carter had no plans to attend college. “I didn’t think school was for me,” she says. “I didn’t feel like I could do it ’cause no one told me I could.” As graduation approaches and seven of 10 Roosevelt graduates head to [more…]
Student life

A tale of hopes, small fortune for WOU student on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

Posted on May 18, 2012 1449 views
Statesman Journal Sara Haskell’s hopes and ambitions weren’t fully realized when she missed solving the bonus-round puzzle during the taping of her appearance on television’s “Wheel of Fortune” show last month in Portland. But they weren’t exactly dashed either. The college coed walked away with almost $9,000 in cash and prizes, and she had what [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Dancing, drumbeats set the tone for annual powwow at WOU

Posted on April 14, 2012 1436 views
  Statesman Journal By Justin Much The beat was constant and the dancing passionate Saturday in Monmouth. Western Oregon University’s 19th Annual Pow Wow, hosted by the Multicultural Student Union, featured a well-attended grand entry and a consistent exhibit of dancing and visiting through the afternoon. Carrying a theme of “The Beat of the Soul,” [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

The 10 Greenest Dorms in the World

Posted on March 5, 2012 1896 views
Mother Nature Network Just about every facet of architecture these days is done with sustainability in mind, from single family homes to corporate office buildings. College architecture has been no exception and many colleges around the world are building some of the greenest and most sustainable buildings out there, creating beautiful, eco-friendly places for students [more…]
Student life

Weight of debt grows for grads

Posted on November 7, 2011 1421 views
Statesman Journal By Chris Hagan When Allison Barker started at Western Oregon University two years ago she knew studying to become a high school teacher was risky, but hoped the economy would turn around by the time she graduated. “When applying to colleges I thought ‘Well, teaching’s not very profitable but it’s something I’ve always [more…]
Student life

The Debt Crisis at American Colleges

Posted on August 17, 2011 1566 views
The Atlantic By Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus Borrowing looms large in American life from homes to cars. But the explosion of student debt in the last decade is a pernicious trend that the colleges themselves are encouraging. How do colleges manage it? Kenyon has erected a $70 million sports palace featuring a 20-lane olympic [more…]
Student life

10 reasons to skip the expensive colleges

Posted on August 10, 2011 2013 views 3 comments
Reader’s Digest By Michelle Crouch If you’re the parent of a high-achieving high school student prepared to spend whatever it takes to send your kid to an Ivy League college, authors Claudia Dreifus and Andrew Hacker have some unlikely advice: Don’t do it. Dreifus, a New York Times writer and an adjunct professor at Columbia University School [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

Conference at WOU gives teens college guidance as they “age out” of the system

Posted on August 3, 2011 1451 views
The Oregonian By Jayme Fraser It probably didn’t look like Kei Forbis was paying attention. Her new friend Mykala Phillips was drawing vines, leaves and aliens on her arm as the morning’s keynote speakers shared tips on how to successfully transition out of the foster care system and into college. But both Forbis and Phillips [more…]
Student life

WOU students to shave heads for cancer research event

Posted on March 3, 2011 1643 views
Statesman Journal By Justin Much Nursing student Vicky Meinert of South Salem brandishes clippers in anticipation of having her hair shaved off as part of a St. Baldrick’s Day fundraiser for research fighting childhood cancer. Meinert will join 18 others on the Western Oregon University campus, including her husband Ian, who will lose her hair [more…]
Student life

WOU Comedy Week to feature student acts

Posted on January 12, 2011 1428 views
Statesman Journal By Justin Much Western Oregon University student activities organizers are hoping to achieve four full days of laughter Jan. 25-28 during WOU Comedy Week. The event will include student acts and outside comedy routines, couched in a cultural theme but unfolding with multiple comedic categories. “What we figured is that comedy is big [more…]
Student life

WOU looking to ‘go Greek’

Posted on December 8, 2010 2406 views 7 comments
Polk County Itemizer Observer Article by Craig Coleman Photo by Pete Strong MONMOUTH — When describing Western Oregon University and his experience here during the beginning of his freshman year, Gabriel Jenks said he’s personally found something missing among students. “School pride,” said Jenks, a Wolves football player. “And it’s not just sports. “A sense [more…]
Campus & community | Student life

WOU official to help with aid forms

Posted on November 19, 2010 1433 views
Statesman Journal By Jillian Daley Filling out a financial aid form can be confusing. But Western Oregon University Director of Financial Aid Donna Fossum, is offering her expertise 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 30 in the choir room at McNary High School, 595 Chemawa Road N. The event is for parents and all high school seniors seeking [more…]
Student life

Textbook rental coming to WOU

Posted on November 16, 2010 1703 views
Polk County Itemizer-Observer By Craig Coleman MONMOUTH — Western Oregon University freshman and theater major Andrew Frederick said he felt “lucky” when it came time to buy textbooks in September. For 10 titles containing Shakespeare and classical American plays, Frederick spent perhaps $130. That won’t last, he noted. Next year, he’ll have to take an [more…]