Class of 2021 | Social & behavioral sciences

Grad Profile: Ruby Van Dyke

Posted on July 2, 2021 4023 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 2940 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 2442 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 2267 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 432 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 542 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 445 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 435 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 892 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 396 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 479 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 562 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 460 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 388 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 509 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 464 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 620 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 526 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 596 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…]
Class of 2021

Grad Profile: Channing Bushman

Posted on June 22, 2021 435 views
Channing Bushman is a 2021 graduate from Morgan Hill, California. She is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Special Education and Humanities, plus a minor in American Sign Language Studies. She is also an award winner from WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where she was recognized as the Outstanding Residence Hall Association Executive Board Member [more…]
Arts & culture | Class of 2021 | Grad profiles

Grad Profile: Natalie Dean

Posted on June 21, 2021 837 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 636 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 389 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 1197 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 1256 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 1117 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 1221 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 965 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 842 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 539 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 1733 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 4977 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 1493 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…]