LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� The 91传媒 Board of Trustees concluded its spring meeting May 21 after two days of public sessions focused on fiscal planning, student access, board governance, enrollment, and strategic priorities.

In unanimous votes, trustees approved the rates package for the 2026-27 tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board; the establishment of an advisory Board Executive Council; the preliminary Education and General budget; the use of the Oregon State Treasury for investment services; and the 91传媒 Ballfield Complex project.

The approved tuition rate package includes a 2.7% increase, a 4.75% increase in room rates, a 4% increase in board rates and meal plans, and a  $59-per-term decrease in the Student Health Fee, and a $3-per-term increase in the Student Incidental Fee. Trustees discussed the shared-governance process behind the recommendation, including student participation on the Tuition Advisory Committee, as well as 91传媒鈥檚 guiding principle of maintaining access and value amid rising costs and constrained state funding.

鈥�91传媒鈥檚 value is to try and make higher education as affordable as possible,鈥� President Kelly Ryan said during the tuition discussion. 鈥淭he number one reason why students don鈥檛 go to college is financial. The number one reason why students leave is financial.鈥�

The preliminary budget keeps the university near balance while maintaining the Board鈥檚 fund balance goals. Trustees also approved the Ballfield Complex project, advancing a refined $6.6 million Phase 1 scope that includes South Campus infrastructure, a basic competition baseball facility, and initial softball improvements. The project is funded through capital improvement and renewal dollars, sports lottery funding and donor support, and does not include Education and General or tuition dollars.

Beyond the action items, trustees reviewed annual key performance indicators tied to Ascent 2029, the university鈥檚 strategic plan; received a trustee enrollment support toolkit; heard state and federal advocacy updates; and received shared governance reports. The 91传媒 Foundation also briefed trustees on the leadership phase of the 91传媒 Centennial Campaign, with a seven-year, $17 million working goal focused on academic innovation, student scholarships, a vibrant university experience, and Mountaineer athletic facilities.

President Ryan noted to the Board that despite some challenging trends across the state, there are still great things to celebrate about 91传媒, including graduating seniors and their successes, top rankings with Mountaineer athletics, and state and national recognition of 91传媒 programs.  鈥淒espite the trends in Oregon, there are still things to celebrate at 91传媒,鈥� President Ryan said.

聽LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒 has named Qazizada its 2026 President鈥檚 Scholar, one of the university鈥檚 highest student honors recognizing academic achievement, leadership, integrity, and service.

When Mohtarama 鈥淢ary鈥� Qazizada first arrived at 91传媒, she felt lost.

After fleeing Afghanistan in 2019 and spending nearly three years in Turkey with her brother and his family, Qazizada came to the United States in search of opportunity, stability, and belonging. But even after arriving at 91传媒 in fall 2022, she struggled to find her place.

鈥淲hen I first came to 91传媒, I had language limitations,鈥� Qazizada said. 鈥淚 had a hard time finding my place here. I struggled with knowing a lot of social references and connecting with my peers.鈥�

The journey from uncertainty to recognition is one Qazizada said was shaped by resilience, perseverance, and the community she found at 91传媒.

鈥淕rowing up in Afghanistan, I faced many limitations, including restricted opportunities to live as a free individual who could make my own decisions and limited access to leadership roles due to my gender,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I immigrated to the United States, I was immediately struck by the number of opportunities that were available to me.鈥�

Qazizada, a double major in mathematics and computer science, has maintained a 3.9 GPA while pursuing advanced research, mentoring fellow students, and contributing to outreach efforts throughout Eastern Oregon.

Still, she said one of the most surprising parts of her journey was discovering her own strength.

鈥淭he fact that I am a math major and graduating with a math degree is surprising by itself,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 never believed I would do it.鈥�

Qazizada credits much of her success to a mindset rooted in determination and persistence.

鈥淥nce I decided to become a math major, I told myself, 鈥業鈥檓 going to do this,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淎nd I did it.鈥�

At 91传媒, Qazizada immersed herself in academics and campus involvement. She completed two consecutive years of mathematical research with Professor Amy Yielding, resulting in two published papers in 91传媒鈥檚 science journal. Her work explored the novel field of 鈥減ermuted sums,鈥� a branch of number theory with potential applications connected to cryptography and technology.

In addition to her studies, she serves as a mathematics and computer science tutor in 91传媒鈥檚 Learning Center, helping students develop analytical thinking and programming skills. She also worked as a student software developer for the 91传媒 Computer Science Department.

But for Qazizada, academic success became meaningful because of the relationships she built along the way.

鈥淥ver time, I have built a very strong and good community around myself,鈥� she said.

She remembers inviting classmates, professors, and friends to an early symposium presentation and being overwhelmed by the turnout.

鈥淭he room was filled,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople were sitting on the tables because they couldn鈥檛 fit in the room. That meant a lot to me. I realized all these people were here to support me.鈥�

When asked whether the community she found at 91传媒 contributed to her success, Qazizada answered without hesitation.

鈥�100%,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don’t think we can do everything by ourselves. Every person we interact with, whether at work or otherwise, somehow impacts our lives. They are part of our success.鈥�

Faculty and peers have also recognized her dedication to community engagement through events such as high school math contests and 91传媒鈥檚 Investigators of Science program, where she volunteers to support younger students interested in STEM education.

Qazizada said 91传媒 helped transform her understanding of resilience, belonging, and leadership.

鈥淢y journey here at 91传媒 has taught me resilience as I faced many academic and social challenges,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t showed me the power of community in making our society better by providing support at times when I felt like a stranger and did not belong.鈥�

Fluent in English, Persian, and Pashto, Qazizada plans to continue her education after graduation while using her background in mathematics and technology to make a meaningful impact through community service and innovation.

As this year鈥檚 President鈥檚 Scholar, she will also speak at commencement ceremonies, an opportunity she said both excites and terrifies her.

She hopes students who hear her story, especially those struggling to find where they belong, understand that perseverance matters.

鈥淲hen I came to 91传媒, I did not know my place,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut patience and focusing on my academics and personal growth helped me overcome those challenges and eventually find the community where I belong.鈥�

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� Five 91传媒 students will step onto the podium later this month as the 91传媒 Chamber Choir presents its spring concert, 鈥淲e Are One,鈥� at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday,聽 May 28 in McKenzie Theatre.

Admission is free, and donations will be accepted at the door.

The concert follows the choir鈥檚 February performance, 鈥淭rue Colors,鈥� and highlights the work of student conductors Jillian Newman, Jakob Graffunder, McKenzie Jonas, Hannah Brown, and Laylah Lucas. Each student is enrolled in 91传媒鈥檚 Choral Methods course and has spent the past eight weeks rehearsing and preparing the ensemble for performance.

For many of the students, the experience has provided a first opportunity to lead an ensemble in a live rehearsal setting.

鈥淭he first time we stood in front of the choir was terrifying,鈥� Lucas said. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 been really fun seeing all of us get more comfortable and realize that we鈥檙e helping create the music, not just directing it.鈥�

Many of the student conductors are preparing for careers in education, and the course gives them practical experience leading rehearsals, communicating musical ideas, and working with singers in real time.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible opportunity to jump right in,鈥� Jonas said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me become more comfortable leading students and developing teaching strategies.鈥�

Graffunder said the experience has strengthened both his teaching skills and musicianship.

鈥淭his class gave me a foundation for teaching and managing an ensemble,鈥� Graffunder said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me become a more well-rounded musician and better prepared for what comes next.鈥�

Brown said the course also emphasized the importance of connection and collaboration within an ensemble.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned a lot about myself, new ways to teach, and how important it is to build connections with students,鈥� Brown said.

Newman, who plans to become a music teacher, said conducting introduced a new kind of leadership experience.

鈥淚鈥檝e had to learn different teaching approaches and how to connect with the ensemble,鈥� Newman said.

The concert repertoire explores themes of unity, connection, and shared human experience through music from a variety of traditions and cultures. Selections include 鈥淪isi Ni Moja鈥� by Jacob Narverud, 鈥淎n Earth Song鈥� by Marques Garrett, 鈥淲ade in the Water,鈥� arranged by Kevin Phillip Johnson, and 鈥淚ndlu yeGagu,鈥� arranged by Sizwe Mondlane.

Professor of Music Peter Wordelman said the course allows students to develop conducting skills through direct experience with an ensemble.

鈥淵ou can study technique, but conducting only improves when you鈥檙e working with real people,鈥� Wordelman said. 鈥淟earning how to lead an ensemble happens in the moment.鈥�

The concert program includes:

Full Choir

• 鈥淪isi Ni Moja鈥� by Jacob Narverud 鈥� conducted by Jillian Newman
• 鈥淗ela Rotan鈥� (Indonesian Folksong), arranged by Ken Stevens 鈥� conducted by Jakob Graffunder
• 鈥淎n Earth Song鈥� by Marques Garrett 鈥� conducted by McKenzie Jonas

Soprano/Alto Choir

• 鈥淪wifter Than Flame鈥� by Elaine Hagenberg 鈥� conducted by Hannah Brown
• 鈥淲ade in the Water,鈥� arranged by Kevin Phillip Johnson 鈥� conducted by Jakob Graffunder

Tenor/Bass Choir

• 鈥淐onnected鈥� by Brian Tate 鈥� conducted by Laylah Lucas
• 鈥淭he River鈥� by Susan La Barr 鈥� conducted by Jillian Newman

Full Choir

• 鈥淜ama Muta鈥� by Aaron Gage 鈥� conducted by Hannah Brown
• 鈥淚ndlu yeGagu鈥� (South Africa), arranged by Sizwe Mondlane 鈥� conducted by McKenzie Jonas
• 鈥淟ovely Chance鈥� by Jacob Narverud 鈥� conducted by Laylah Lucas

For more information about 91传媒鈥檚 music program and upcoming performances, visit eou.edu.

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒鈥檚 Greater Oregon STEM Hub (91传媒 GO STEM) has received first place in the 14th annual Oregon Ag Fest Agricultural Education Awards for its innovative Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture (AI + AG) program, recognizing this program鈥檚 impact on agricultural education and technology outreach across rural Oregon.

Presented during the 2026 Oregon Ag Fest in Salem, the annual award honors organizations that promote agricultural education and increase public understanding of Oregon agriculture. GO STEM received the top honor and a $2,000 award for its efforts to connect students and educators with emerging agricultural technologies.

The award-winning AI + AG program was designed by Elaine Swanson, GO STEM鈥檚 AI + Tech educator and instructor in 91传媒鈥檚 s Agriculture Entrepreneurship program. The initiative was created to help bridge gaps in agricultural education throughout Eastern Oregon while exposing students to the growing role of technology in modern farming.

鈥淔or me, this award represents not just recognition of the work, but also that our communities belong in the future of the ag tech space. This program was built around the simple idea that our rural ag students need access to the same emerging technology and opportunities as everyone else. Through AI + AG, I鈥檝e taught artificial intelligence, satellite data, and the future agriculture workforce all across our region. What has been most meaningful is seeing students move from uncertainty to curiosity and answering their tough questions about water, technology, and our food systems as a whole,鈥� Swanson says. 

鈥淭his role has also expanded my definition of 鈥榟ome鈥� and how Eastern Oregon can be a part of this massive industry. . I think it is a disservice not to prepare our students for what is coming,鈥� she adds.

Since its launch, the AI + AG program has reached almost 500 middle and high school students and over 70 agriculture and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers across Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, Union, Grant, Harney, and Morrow counties. Through hands-on learning labs, students explore how artificial intelligence and satellite data can support crop monitoring and water management. 

鈥淭his award reflects the dedication of GO STEM鈥檚 staff in fulfilling our mission: to provide free STEM programming that will prepare students for the future workforce and the evolving needs of their communities,” said Dr. Stefanie Holloway, Program Director of the Greater Oregon STEM Hub. 鈥淓laine has designed and delivered an innovative, homegrown program for Eastern Oregon students to discover new opportunities within modern agriculture and technology, as well as the impacts all of this will have on rural communities. Our AI + AG program curriculum can be adapted for students across the state and nation as well, in service of their communities’ needs.鈥�  

The , a nonprofit organization dedicated to agricultural education, has provided hands-on agricultural learning experiences for Oregon families for nearly four decades. More than 23,000 people attend the annual event each year to learn about where their food and fiber come from, and to experience Oregon agriculture firsthand.For more information about 91传媒鈥檚 GO STEM Hub, visit /college-of-education/go-stem/ and .

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒 is one of 10 universities across the country to participate in workshops led by the Association of American State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) focused on the value of higher education. 

The Postsecondary Value Framework (PVF) defines and measures whether postsecondary education delivers meaningful value for students and society. It was developed by the Postsecondary Value Commission, launched in 2019 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and managed by the Institute for Higher Education Policy.

University leadership, faculty, and staff spent an intensive day and a half examining how the PVF informs 91传媒鈥檚 projects and programs, focusing on outcomes for students, families, business, industry, and communities. 

鈥淭he Postsecondary Value Framework (PVF) is highly aligned with 91传媒鈥檚 existing strategic direction,鈥� said 91传媒 President Kelly Ryan. 鈥淭he framework asks institutions to organize strategy around whether students receive equitable access, affordability, support, completion, earnings, and wealth-building value from a postsecondary credential. At 91传媒, that is exactly what we are doing.鈥�

Recent initiatives at 91传媒, including graduate student enrollment growth, expanded scholarships, the Mountaineer Success Team Program, TRIO Student Support Services, workforce grants, rural educator pathways, and new entrepreneurship and behavioral health programs, show that Oregon鈥檚 Rural University is focused not only on providing access to higher education but on ensuring that students complete, thrive, and contribute to the vitality of rural communities. 91传媒 has also been noted for having some of the highest average alumni earnings in Oregon and the lowest tuition rates. 

鈥淚 firmly believe in the life-changing power of higher education,鈥� Ryan said. 鈥淎nd I believe in the people here at 91传媒 who volunteered to do this workshop because they are committed to supporting our students and serving our region.鈥漈o learn more about the Postsecondary Value Framework, visit or at AASCU .

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒 (91传媒) will host its annual Career Expo on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Field House. 

The 91传媒 Career Expo brings together a wide range of employers offering part-time positions, seasonal work, internships, and full-time career opportunities. The event is designed to help students explore career pathways, build professional connections, and gain insight into current workforce needs.

New this year, 91传媒 is expanding access to include online students through a dedicated Online Access Station, supported by the Enrollment Support Services Department. Virtual participation will be available from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., creating additional opportunities for engagement beyond the in-person event.

The Career Expo reflects 91传媒鈥檚 ongoing commitment to student success by fostering meaningful connections between students and employers while supporting career readiness and workforce development in Eastern Oregon and beyond.

Students are encouraged to attend and come prepared to network, ask questions, and explore potential career paths.For more information about the EO Career Expo, visit .

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� In what has become both a tradition and a community event, 91传媒 is bringing one of the finest musical instruments in the region to the public on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Community Fazioli Piano Day invites members of the community to sign up and play the $150,000 Fazioli piano on stage at McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall on the campus of 91传媒.

鈥淲e warmly invite community members of all ages and experience levels to come play and enjoy this beautiful instrument.鈥� Mio Aoike, faculty member and pianist in the Music Department, said. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e just starting, returning to the piano after many years, or play regularly, you are very welcome here. We invite the community to come and display their talents.鈥�

This event is a special outreach project providing a unique opportunity for individuals to perform on a world-class instrument. By participating, individuals not only enrich the local musical community but can also support the 91传媒 Music Scholarship Funds in the 91传媒 Foundation.

While the event is free, donations from performers and audience members will be appreciated to support the 91传媒 Music Scholarship funds at the 91传媒 Foundation.

In December 2018, the 91传媒 Foundation premiered the brand-new concert grand piano, the black Fazioli, at the Holiday Music Festival. Generous donors raised $150,000 to purchase, tune, and care for this high-quality instrument in 12 months. The successful campaign highlighted a growing culture of philanthropy and significantly increased engagement among alumni and donors at 91传媒.

The Fazioli replaced a 64-year-old piano that had been manufactured in 1953. The efforts to raise the $150,000 for the Fazioli worked in conjunction with a renovation of McKenzie Theatre.

鈥淥ur goal is simply to bring people together, share the joy of music, and make this extraordinary instrument accessible to everyone in a supportive and encouraging space,鈥� Peter Wordelman, professor of music at 91传媒, said.

Hundreds of 91传媒 students, community members, and guests perform alongside the grand piano in McKenzie Theatre every year. Dozens of events, from choir concerts and visiting artists to senior recitals and orchestra performances.

To participate in Community Fazioli Piano Day, simply sign up using this link:

Performances are free for all to enjoy, with donations welcomed to further music education at 91传媒.

The Music Department is planning a special program as a grand finale, so everyone is encouraged to stay.

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒 (91传媒) has been named one of the 鈥�, recognizing 91传媒鈥檚 commitment to supporting Indigenous students through academic programs, financial aid, and community engagement.

The national recognition highlights 91传媒鈥檚 academic offerings and investment in Indigenous student support. 91传媒 continues to prioritize access, affordability, and culturally responsive education as part of its mission as Oregon鈥檚 Rural University.

Located on the traditional homelands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Nez Perce tribes, 91传媒 serves a student population of just under 3,000. Winds of Change noted the University鈥檚 scenic campus in La Grande, situated in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, as well as its close-knit community in the natural landscape of Eastern Oregon.

91传媒 has also been recognized for value, including being named among the best-value colleges in the Northwest. Academic strengths include robust science, technology, engineering, and math programs supported by state-of-the-art laboratories and partnerships with Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University.

Within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the Native American Studies program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that draws from history, economics, political science, anthropology, and law. Student engagement is further supported by organizations such as the Speel-Ya Native American Student Council, which plays an active role in campus life, and through cultural events, including the University鈥檚 annual powwow.

91传媒 provides multiple financial aid opportunities for Indigenous students, including the Tribal Student Grant and scholarships through organizations such as the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, which works in partnership with the 91传媒 Foundation to provide access to other privately-funded scholarship opportunities, including the First Citizen Award, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), and more.

AISES is a national nonprofit founded in 1977 to increase the representation of Indigenous peoples in STEM education and careers through academic, professional, and cultural support.

鈥淏eing recognized among the top colleges for Indigenous students reflects 91传媒鈥檚 ongoing commitment to creating meaningful opportunities and support systems,鈥� said  Native American Program & MOSAIC Center Coordinator Pepper Huxoll. 鈥淲e are proud to cultivate a community where Indigenous students can thrive academically and culturally.鈥�

For more information about 91传媒鈥檚 programs and support services, visit eou.edu.

Capstone Exhibit聽 Brings Three Emerging Artists to Nightingale Gallery

La Grande, Ore. 鈥揟he Nightingale Gallery presents 鈥淎NGLE OF REPOSE,鈥� the capstone exhibition of Jess Furgerson, Jack Hess, and Megan Hurley. The exhibit explores themes of nature, repetition, and nostalgia. It will be on view in the gallery from April 3rd to May 8th. The opening reception will be on April 3rd from 5-7 p.m. in the Nightingale Gallery.  

Jess Furgerson is an artist focused on the integration of nature and the figure, exploring humanity’s connection to the earth. Her work is rooted in her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, where the natural world weaves into urban influence.聽

Jack Hess uses art to explore the nebulous emotions often kept within, forcing them outward through the medium of textile and sculpture. Their work serves as a meditation on anxiety, in particular the kind that makes itself known violently. In this way, the work becomes a form of therapy, keeping idle hands busy while the mind runs rampant. 

Megan Hurley is an artist who grew up in the hills of Eastern Oregon. Her work is based on her own experiences growing up, exploring themes of childhood imagination through the rehashing of old memories. These themes are expressed in the forms of painting and printmaking, utilizing vibrant colors to portray the sweetness of a time gone by. 

Interwoven narratives encapsulate 鈥淎NGLE OF REPOSE,鈥� with artwork teetering on the edge of one thing, about to slip into the next. Differing media collide into one another, either creating tension or offering reprieve, taking inspiration from both our natural and inner worlds. The result is a steady descent into a consuming artistic endeavor and an attempt to find a sort of balance between pushing your limits and tipping into an art-fueled collapse. 

The gallery, located in Loso Hall, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 聽For more information, visit or follow the Nightingale Gallery on聽听补苍诲听.

To request images of artwork for publication or to schedule an interview with the artist, please contact Gallery Director Cory Peeke at cpeeke@eou.edu.

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� Puppies, piglets, Bernese mountain dogs, and baby goats are just part of the lineup when 91传媒鈥檚 annual Stress Less event returns Wednesday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 91传媒 Fieldhouse.

Held each winter term near midterm exams, Stress Less is the largest student-led event on campus and is designed to give students a break during one of the busiest times of the academic year. The event connects students with campus and community resources while promoting healthy ways to manage stress.

鈥淢idterms can be overwhelming,鈥� Megan Poler, a student organizer, said. 鈥淪tress Less gives students a chance to pause, recharge, and reconnect with their campus community. It鈥檚 a reminder that support and resources are always available.鈥�

The free event will feature live music, food, games, meditations, rock climbing, and door prizes donated by local businesses. Animal therapy, including puppies, piglets, and miniature horses, will provide students with an opportunity to unwind in a fun and interactive setting.

Campus departments and community partners will also be on hand to share information about resources available to students, including tutoring, counseling services and outdoor recreation opportunities. The event highlights 91传媒鈥檚 commitment to fostering an inviting and supportive campus culture that promotes student well-being and success.

Local businesses and campus partners, including Domino鈥檚, Genuine Foods, The Local, The Press Room, and Pepsi have donated food and beverages, which will be available free to students throughout the event.Stress Less is another way 91传媒 supports the whole student, academically, socially, and emotionally. For more information, contact Megan Poler, 91传媒 Community Health Intern | (208)596-7740 |  mpoler@eou.edu.

LAGRANDE, Ore. – When Hannah Brown steps onto the stage in Loso Hall this March, she won鈥檛 just be performing Shakespeare. She鈥檒l be singing it.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very different,鈥� said Brown, a senior at 91传媒. 鈥淣ick took all of those Shakespeare words and put them into songs. The words are Shakespeare, but the music is all originally Nick.鈥�

The music belongs to Nicholas Vece, 鈥�24, who returned to campus to premiere Thou Hast Thy Will, a 14-piece song cycle built from Shakespeare鈥檚 sonnets and monologues. The Winter 2026 production runs March 12鈥�14 at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 15 in the Schwarz Theatre.

For Vece, the idea began during rehearsal several years ago when he was still a student.

鈥淚 was working on a monologue, and the director stopped me and said, 鈥楽hakespeare鈥檚 just music. It has rhythm. It has flow,鈥欌�� Vece said. 鈥淭hat stuck with me. If it鈥檚 already music, then it could be music if I wrote it that way.鈥�

Over the next two years, including his final year at 91传媒 and after graduation, Vece began composing. The result blends jazz, folk and musical theater styles, all grounded in Shakespeare鈥檚 original language.

The production is intentionally lean. It requires no elaborate set and no costly performance rights. It features four student vocalists, a piano, percussion and bass. For a rural university where creativity often meets practicality, it is high-impact art built with intention.

Junior Jakob Graffunder said the concept drew him in immediately.

鈥淭aking the sonnets and putting them into music, it鈥檚 such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience,鈥� Graffunder said. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to be part of it.鈥�

Brown said rehearsals have pushed the cast.

鈥淥h yes, lots of Shakespeare to memorize,鈥� she said, laughing. 鈥淏ut we鈥檝e had so much fun performing it.鈥�

For Vece, returning to campus as a director feels different than being a student.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e at a place like 91传媒, you don鈥檛 just stay in one lane,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 worked in the costume shop. I was a teaching assistant for acting and stage combat. I studied jazz theory and music production. You learn how everything fits together.鈥�

That hands-on experience shaped the way he built this production. He writes the music, directs the cast and collaborates closely with student performers. A fellow alum, Hannah Johnson, 鈥�24, serves as music director, and an alum bassist will return to perform with the ensemble, creating a production that bridges graduating classes.

鈥淭hese are students who remind me of myself a few years ago,鈥� Vece said. 鈥淚f I can create a space for them to perform something original, that matters to me.鈥�

After graduating in 2024, Vece remained in La Grande. He now works in pediatric behavioral health, running an integrated primary care program that teaches adolescents skills to manage anxiety and depression. He is awaiting word on admission to a Ph.D. program, with the goal of becoming a university psychology professor.

Even as he looks toward five more years of study, he says theater will remain part of his life.

鈥淚 never wanted to make it a job,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wanted to keep that fire alive.鈥漌ith Thou Hast Thy Will, that fire returns to the Schwarz Theatre stage, carried by student voices and shaped by an alum who once stood where they stand now. For Eastern Oregon audiences, it is both a new production and a reminder of what can grow when graduates come back to build something.

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� The 91传媒 Board of Trustees met February 18鈥�19, 2026, advancing governance improvements, reviewing state funding issues, and reinforcing 91传媒鈥檚 role as Oregon鈥檚 Rural University. 

Central themes of the meeting were access and advocacy. Trustees discussed digital accessibility compliance and faculty innovation to support student success, and learned from students who met with legislators during the Public University Student Lobby Day on Feb. 12 in support of funding to improve access to higher education. 

President Kelly Ryan and Vice President for University Advancement Tim Seydel provided state and federal legislative updates and reviewed the Higher Education Coordinating Commission鈥檚 Spending & Efficiency Report. Trustees expressed concern about Oregon鈥檚 low national ranking in per capita higher education funding and emphasized the need for sustained, systemic investment to better serve students and rural communities.

The board approved the FY27鈥�29 Capital Planning Request, including four projects to be forwarded for ranking and state bonding support in the 2027 legislative session. Governance updates were reviewed and accepted, reducing the size of two standing committees and revising the Governance Committee Charter to streamline meetings and improve board effectiveness.

Trustees also highlighted the importance of personal advocacy, encouraging members to share their commitment to public higher education and to communicate about the complexities of state funding resources and challenges with the state鈥檚 Student Success and Completion Model. 

Access and advocacy are also key components of the 91传媒 Foundation鈥檚 upcoming comprehensive campaign. The Board received an update on the campaign feasibility study, which is scheduled to be completed in March. 

Meeting materials and recordings are available through the 91传媒 governance webpage.For more information about public comment, see sections 8 and 9 of.  91传媒 Board of Trustees Regular and Committee meetings are accessible to persons with disabilities.  If special accommodations are required, please contact (541) 962-3006 or board@eou.edu at least 72 hours in advance.

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� The Eastern Oregon Regional High School Art Exhibition featuring over 250 works by students from 15 regional high schools opened Friday, February 20. Awards were presented by Nightingale Gallery Director Cory Peeke. The 91传媒 Art Department and Nightingale Gallery would like to congratulate the following award winners from this year鈥檚 exhibition and recognize the hardworking educators who make it all possible.聽聽

Awards were presented for exemplary work by students in grades 9-12. All Best of Show winners received an award certificate, a $50 Dick Blick Art Supply gift card, and a sketchbook from the 91传媒 Art Department, as well as an 91传媒 tote bag and other 91传媒 swag, compliments of the Offices of Admissions and University Advancement. Honorable Mention recipients received a certificate of award.

Best of Show 12^th Grade:

Ezra Storlie (Enterprise High) for their oil painting 鈥淔uture, Present, Past鈥� 

Best of Show 11^th Grade:    

Maximus Eckstein (Elgin High) for their ceramic sculpture鈥淪hell of Great Detail鈥�

Best of Show 10^th Grade:    

Brielle McCrae (Powder Valley High) for their inkjet print 鈥淏lack and White Light鈥�

Best of Show 9th Grade:

Allah Wallace (Joseph Charter School) for their graphite drawing 鈥淪tudent Portrait鈥�

Honorable Mentions:

Burns

Lyra Lu, 11^th grade, for their watercolor 鈥淶oey鈥� 

Grant Union

Lilly Paddock, 11^th grade, for their drawing 鈥淐rab Apple Shade鈥�

La Grande

Rydar McIlmoil, 11^th grade, for their ceramic pot 鈥淭he Piece鈥�

McLoughlin

Katelynn Martinez, 12^th grade, for their mixed media work 鈥淧iecing Together the Past鈥�

Kyla Thorpe, 9^th grade, for their drawing 鈥淩edmont鈥�

Pendleton

Ella La Mere, 12^th grade, for their mixed media sculpture 鈥淭he Socking鈥�

Isaia Norris, 11^th grade, for their Inkjet Print 鈥淯ntitled鈥�

Zarina Park, 12^th grade, for their painting 鈥淲ho Ate My Leftovers鈥�

Powder Valley

Aiden Flores, 11^th grade, for their inkjet print 鈥淎lexis鈥�

Ella Herrera, 9^th grade, for their inkjet print 鈥淕race鈥�  

Union

Faith Albers, 10^th grade, for their painting 鈥淣onchalant鈥�

Liberty Albers, 12^th grade, for their painting 鈥淛oy鈥�

Tyler Leathers, 10^th grade, for their painting 鈥淎shla鈥�

Four regional art centers presented special awards to young artists from their service areas. Art Center East presented an 鈥淓xcellence in the Arts-Union County鈥� award to Lauren Leathers 12th grader from Union High for their ceramic sculpture 鈥淚ntrusive Thoughts,鈥� an 鈥淓xcellence in the Arts-Grant County鈥� award to Calia Paddock 10th grader from Grant Union High for their drawing 鈥淧omegranate,鈥� and an 鈥淓xcellence in the Arts-Harney County鈥� award to Lyra Lu 11th grader from Burns High for their painting 鈥淐hubby Cat.鈥� Each award comes with an ACE art kit. Baker County鈥檚 Crossroads Carnegie Art Center awarded a $50 award. Their 鈥淥utstanding Baker High School Student Award鈥� went to 10th grader Daelylah Dalton for their ceramic sculpture 鈥淕rax.鈥� Pendleton Center for the Arts presented a $100 鈥淧CA Award of Distinction鈥� to Pendleton High School 12th grader Zarina Park for their acrylic painting 鈥淚ntersection of NW 6th and Garden.鈥� The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture presented the 鈥淲allowa County High School Best of Show Award鈥� in the form of a $100 Dick Blick gift card to Abigail Dundas of Joseph for their Ink and watercolor drawing 鈥淣o More.鈥�

Art Center East鈥檚 award was selected by Jennifer Durr, ACE Gallery Director, and presented by Rikki Jo Hickey, ACE Youth Learning Coordinator. Crossroads Carnegie Art Center鈥檚 award winner was selected by Cory Peeke on behalf of Crossroads Executive Director Ginger Savage and presented by Crossroads Education Coordinator Melody Chaves. The Pendleton Center for the Arts award was selected by PCA Executive Director Roberta Lavadour. The Josephy Center award was selected by 91传媒 Art faculty, and both the PCA and Josephy awards were presented by Cory Peeke.

You can view the winning artists鈥� works on the Nightingale鈥檚 account.

鈥淥n behalf of the 91传媒 Art Department and the Nightingale Gallery, I would like to congratulate the winners and all the students with work on view,鈥� said Cory Peeke, Nightingale Gallery Director, 鈥渁nd I would also like to congratulate the art teachers who go above and beyond to make this event the success it is each year.鈥� The following is a list of those teachers:

Baker City High School-Koedi Birmingham

Burns High School-Emily Kokesh

Cove High School-Eric Gustavson

Crane Union High School-Connie Robbins

Echo High School-Rick Thew

Elgin High School-Amanda Welch

Enterprise High School-Dianne Pfel

Grant Union High School- JJ Collier
Joseph Charter School- Jennifer Hawkins
La Grande High School-Rich McIlmoil

McLoughlin High School (Milton-Freewater)-Marianne Smith

Monument High School- Erica Cade 

Pendleton High School- Abby Prevot

Powder Valley High School- Jessie Street
Union High School-Jaime Gustavson

The 2026 Eastern Oregon Regional High School Exhibition runs through March 13. The Nightingale Gallery is located in Loso Hall on the campus of 91传媒 in La Grande, OR.聽 Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.聽聽

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒 will take nearly thirty students, faculty, staff, and Trustees to the Oregon State Capitol in Salem to participate in 2026 University Day, joining the state鈥檚 seven public universities for a day of advocacy in support of higher education.

Students participating in University Day represent both 91传媒鈥檚 La Grande campus and its online student population from communities across Oregon, reflecting the university鈥檚 statewide footprint and commitment to access for rural and place-bound learners.

University Day provides 91传媒 students with a hands-on opportunity to engage directly in the legislative process, meet with elected officials, connect with higher education advocates, and network with fellow students from across Oregon. Participants will attend meetings, learn about current policy issues affecting public universities, and experience firsthand how advocacy shapes higher education at the state level.

鈥淭his is a meaningful extension of 91传媒鈥檚 commitment to civic engagement,鈥� said Tim Seydel, Vice President for University Advancement. 鈥淏y bringing students from across Oregon into the Capitol and giving them direct access to lawmakers, we are helping them understand how public policy impacts higher education and empowering them to be informed, engaged citizens. These experiences reinforce 91传媒鈥檚 role as a steward of leadership and advocacy for rural Oregon and the state as a whole.鈥�

Presidents from all seven public universities will also be present at the Capitol, spending the day alongside students to advocate collectively for Oregon鈥檚 higher education institutions and the importance of continued state investment in access, affordability, and student success.

As part of the day鈥檚 activities, 91传媒 students will meet with Representative Bobby Levy and Senator Todd Nash in a regional-focused meeting to connect directly with eastern Oregon legislators, ask questions about current legislation, learn about the career paths that led them into public service, and discuss issues impacting rural communities and higher education.

鈥淔or 91传媒, being visible and present alongside our peer institutions matters,鈥� said Diego Vergara Zuber, President of the Associated Students of 91传媒. 鈥淯niversity Day shows that 91传媒 students鈥攚hether they are studying on campus or online all over the state鈥攁re part of the statewide higher education conversation. It鈥檚 an opportunity to share our perspectives, advocate for our communities, and ensure rural student voices are heard at the Capitol.鈥�

La Grande, Ore. 鈥揟he Nightingale Gallery of 91传媒 presents our annual “Eastern Oregon Regional High School Exhibition.”  The exhibition runs from Feb. 20 to March 13. There will be an opening reception for the exhibition on Friday, Feb. 20, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the gallery. Awards will be presented at 5:30 p.m. that evening.

The “Eastern Oregon Regional High School Exhibition鈥� provides a unique experience for young artists. This is the first opportunity most of them have to not only exhibit their work but to exhibit alongside their eastern Oregon peers. 

鈥淏ringing high school art into the University’s Nightingale Gallery is such an enriching event,鈥� says Jaime Gustavson, Art Teacher at Union High School. 鈥淯nion students look forward to the exhibition every year.鈥�  

The exhibit also allows the community to engage with the creative work of students from high schools throughout our region.  Students working in a variety of media in grades nine through twelve will have up to two works on view. Schools with students scheduled to participate include Baker City, Burns, Crane Union, Echo, Elgin, Enterprise, Grant Union, La Grande, McLoughlin, Monument, Pendleton, Powder Valley, and Union.  

The 91传媒 Art Program faculty will jury the exhibit and award a number of honors. Award certificates, gift cards, sketchbooks, and a variety of 91传媒 swag will be presented to the Best of Show winners in grades nine through twelve.  Honorable mentions will also receive certificates. 

Several regional art centers will also be presenting special awards to students from their service areas. They include Art Center East, Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, and Pendleton Center for the Arts.

鈥淭he Nightingale Gallery continues its decades-long commitment to celebrating the creative endeavors of our region’s young artists,鈥� said Cory Peeke, Nightingale Gallery Director. 鈥淲e recognize and encourage these students鈥� creative pursuits as well as acknowledge the hard work and dedication of their teachers who devotedly cultivate such promising young talent.鈥�

The Nightingale Gallery is located in Loso Hall on the campus of 91传媒 in La Grande, OR.聽 Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
To request images of artwork for publication, contact Gallery Director Cory Peeke at cpeeke@eou.edu.

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� The Committees of the Board of Trustees of 91传媒 will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.   The Finance & Administration Committee will meet from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  The Governance Committee will meet from 12:10 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Academic & Student Affairs Committee will meet from 2 p.m. to  4:30 p.m.  These meetings will take place in the Inlow Hall Board Room, Rm. 201, on the campus of 91传媒 in La Grande, Oregon. The public is invited to attend in person. The meetings will also be broadcast via the internet, and recordings of the meetings will be available for viewing following the meetings. Livestream and recordings are available from the board鈥檚 webpage: /governance/.

January 28, 2026 Committee Meeting Materials can be accessed here:

Public Comments must be received by 10 a.m. on Jan. 26, 2026.

鈼�  Written Comments: may be submitted electronically to board@eou.edu or mailed/delivered to the Office of the General Counsel and Board Secretary at One University Blvd, Inlow Hall 247, La Grande, OR, 97850. Materials may be subject to disclosure under the Public Records Law.

鈼�  Remote Oral Comments:  For delivery of an oral comment via Zoom, the request must be submitted electronically to board@eou.edu. Please provide a contact phone number and specify if you wish to comment during a particular agenda item or during the public comment section. A follow-up email with further instructions will be sent to you.

鈼�  In- Personal Oral Comments:  For in-person oral comment during an Agenda Item, requests must be submitted electronically to board@eou.edu.  Please provide a contact phone number and specify if you wish to comment on a particular agenda topic or during the public comment section. A follow-up email with further instructions will be sent to you.

鈼�  In-Person Oral Comment (Public Comment Section):  It is preferred that requests be submitted electronically to board@eou.edu. The public may also sign up in person in the boardroom before the public comment section starts. The sign-in sheet will be located at the Recorder’s desk.  For more information about public comment, see sections 8 and 9 of.  91传媒 Board of Trustees Regular and Committee meetings are accessible to persons with disabilities.  If special accommodations are required, please contact (541) 962-3006 or board@eou.edu at least 72 hours in advance.

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� The Nightingale Gallery of 91传媒 welcomes the new year with 鈥淯nreliable Instruments,鈥� a three-person exhibition featuring the work of Jeremy Le Grand, Kyle Peets, and Tom Wixo. The artworks on view invite deep looking, uncertainty, and exploration as a way to navigate the precarity of living in a world shaped by deep fakes and shifting truths. Focusing on the relationships between popular culture, nature, identity, technology, and perception, the exhibition seeks moments of honesty within the symbols and structures we increasingly question. The show opens with a reception for the artists on Friday, January 9, from 5 to 7 p.m.

鈥�Unreliable Instruments鈥� offers an antidote to certainty. It asks viewers to suspend judgment and consider how images construct meaning. Repetition and layering鈥攃entral strategies for all three artists鈥攄efamiliarize what might otherwise seem stable or known. Repetition transforms the familiar into something strange; layering compels closer attention. Together, these approaches create images that vibrate with multiple meanings and emotional resonances. They challenge us to hold multiple truths, timelines, and perspectives at once. While these images may resist easy legibility, they also open new pathways for interpretation. The resulting abstractions complicate our relationship to meaning, to ourselves, and to the natural world as mediated through images. In this context, confusion becomes generative鈥攏ot a mask that hides, but a veil that reveals what lies beneath.

鈥淭hese three artists present viewers with a rich array of abstractions that encourage us to look closer and construct meaning from their multi-layered images,鈥� said Cory Peeke, Director of the Nightingale Gallery.

91传媒 the Artists

Jeremy Le Grand is a painter based in Portland, Oregon. After attending Portland Community College, he earned his BFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art. His work often uses patterns and rhythm to build dense, abstract compositions based on fragments of bodies and the natural world. 

Kyle Adam Kalev Peets is a multidisciplinary artist and educator whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. He has presented solo exhibitions at Carnation Contemporary (Portland, OR) and Platte Forum Gallery (Denver, CO). His work is included in the Special Collections of the Watson Library at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in the archives of MoMA. Peets holds an MFA in Printmaking and a Graduate Certificate in Book Arts from the University of Iowa. He currently teaches Print and Book Arts at Whitman College in Walla Walla.

Tom Wixo is a painter based in Los Angeles, California. He holds an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Tennessee鈥揔noxville and a BFA in Studio Art from Saint Cloud State University. He has exhibited nationally in both solo and group shows, including at My Pet Ram (New York), Ortega y Gasset (Brooklyn), H Space (Cleveland), The Soap Factory (Minneapolis), Bond Millen (Richmond), Vox Populi (Philadelphia), and Marshall Arts (Memphis).

In conjunction with the exhibition, the three artists will present a public talk about their individual studio practices and the conceptual framework behind the exhibit. The talk will take place on Thursday, January 8, at 6 p.m. in Huber Auditorium, Badgley Hall.

鈥淯reliable Instruments鈥� will be on view through Friday, February 6. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, follow the Nightingale Gallery on and .To request images of artwork for publication or to schedule an interview with the artist, please contact Gallery Director Cory Peeke at cpeeke@eou.edu.

STCU Donates $7,500 to Support 91传媒 Food Pantry

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒 received a generous $7,500 donation from Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) to support the university鈥檚 on-campus food pantries and student basic needs programs. The gift arrives at a critical moment for 91传媒鈥檚 Benefits Navigator Program, which oversees pantry operations and provides essential resources for students facing food insecurity.

91传媒 Benefits Navigator and alumna Pamela Frederick Williams, 鈥�20, said the donation came as an unexpected, and deeply needed, surprise.

鈥淚 had been working on budget planning for our campus pantries and upcoming events, and it wasn鈥檛 looking like we would have enough funds to meet the growing needs of our students,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hen I received a phone call from Michelle at STCU. She simply said, 鈥楬i, my name is Michelle from STCU, and I would like to donate to your 91传媒 food pantry. When would you be available to meet?鈥� I immediately said yes, thinking they might donate some food items to help fill our empty shelves.鈥�

What Williams didn鈥檛 realize was that STCU planned to present a monetary gift.

鈥淲hen Bennie Moses, Associate Vice President of Strategic Equity Initiatives, reached out for clarification, I suddenly realized I hadn鈥檛 even asked what type of donation they were making,鈥� she added. 鈥淲hen Michelle arrived on campus and presented a check for $7,500, I was overwhelmed. What a blessing. I can not thank STCU enough for this generous donation. It will have a great impact on our students.鈥�

For Williams, who graduated from 91传媒 during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the campus food pantry is personal. When she enrolled at the university in 2016, the resources available to students looked very different.

鈥淭here were no on-campus food pantries, and the support systems we have today simply did not exist,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s a student, I often struggled to stretch limited funds, skipping meals and relying on whatever food I could afford. Many students still face those same challenges today.鈥�

She emphasized the critical role campus food support now plays in student success.

鈥淗igher education is expensive. For many students, financial strain means choosing between tuition and food,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he pantry and the Benefits Navigator Program help eliminate that impossible choice. Reliable access to nutritious food reduces stress, supports well-being, and allows students to focus on learning rather than survival. It鈥檚 the safety net I wish I had when I was a student.鈥�

Motivated by a desire to give back to the university that shaped her, she pursued the Benefits Navigator role.

鈥淢y first goal was to return to 91传媒 and contribute to student success,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n this position, I鈥檓 able to support all 91传媒 students as they navigate their academic journeys.鈥�

The donation from STCU will help restock pantry shelves, support upcoming outreach events, and expand food availability across campus.

鈥淪TCU鈥檚 generosity ensures that no student has to navigate hunger while trying to pursue their education,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his gift will directly impact student well-being and success.鈥滷or more information about 91传媒鈥檚 food pantry services or the Benefits Navigator Program, visit /strategic-equity-initiatives/uncategorized/5082/.

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� The 33rd Annual Holiday Music Festival at 91传媒 will once again usher in the season with a community-wide celebration of music and tradition. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 7, at 3 p.m. in the McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall on the 91传媒 campus.

This event, sponsored by Koza Family Dental Care, showcases a festive lineup of community members and 91传媒 student performers. Audiences will enjoy performances by the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, the 91传媒 Chamber Choir, 91传媒鈥檚 45th Parallel Ensemble, the 91传媒 Fiddle Ensemble, and the Grande Ronde Music Association Community Band and Community Choir, plus additional special performances. The program features traditional holiday music from around the world鈥攁n uplifting start to the holiday season.

Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at Red Cross Drug Store, the 91传媒 Bookstore, or online for $12 each at . Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.

All proceeds benefit the music funds held by the 91传媒 Foundation, supporting student opportunities and vibrant musical programming at 91传媒.

Event Details

• What: The 33rd Annual Holiday Music Festival at 91传媒
• When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m.
• Where: McKenzie Theatre, Loso Hall, 91传媒
• Admission: $12 adults; $10 students/seniors
• Tickets: Red Cross Drug, 91传媒 Bookstore, or online at eou.edu/music (credit card)

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒 (91传媒) has launched a new 91传媒 Advocacy Platform to empower alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members to speak up for Oregon鈥檚 rural university and the value of higher education statewide.

The platform offers a simple, nonpartisan way for supporters to Oregon鈥檚 Rural Voice in Higher Education affecting 91传媒 and to send messages to lawmakers with just a few clicks.

鈥淎dvocacy is how we move 91传媒鈥檚 mission forward鈥攈ow we ensure that the voices of eastern Oregon and rural communities are heard in Salem and across the state,鈥� said Tim Seydel, Vice President for University Advancement. 鈥淲hen supporters sign up to become 91传媒 Advocates, they鈥檙e helping position the university to advance opportunities for students, strengthen our region鈥檚 economy, and expand 91传媒鈥檚 impact far beyond eastern Oregon.鈥�

Advocates can sign up to receive timely action alerts and share their voices in support of higher education funding, student aid, and regional investment.

Participation is quick, private, and impactful. Visit eou.edu/ua/government-relations to become an 91传媒 Advocate today.