91传媒

Donor Spotlight: James Gorham

Part of something bigger

A new business in his old hometown inspired James Gorham, 鈥�95, to get involved in the 91传媒 Foundation. Now, more than 10 years later, the business is thriving and Gorham is a member of the 91传媒 Foundation Board of Directors.

After graduation, he earned his master鈥檚 in physical therapy and opened his own clinic in Sherwood, Oregon. When he moved back to La Grande in 2007 to be near family, Gorham quickly got involved in the community that raised him.

鈥淚 felt like I needed to give back to the place that had made me who I am,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was a difficult time at the university and I wanted to be a part of helping turn things around.鈥�

As one of the owners of Mountain Valley Therapy, Gorham has played a role in strengthening the relationship between local businesses and 91传媒. He volunteers on the 91传媒 Foundation Scholarship Review Committee, reading hundreds of essays and applications each February. Gorham said he received a Foundation scholarship as a student, when he said tuition cost about $300 a term. Now that his son is an 91传媒 student, that number is closer to $2,500.

鈥淭he need for scholarships has risen dramatically,鈥� Gorham said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a direct correlation between scholarships available and the number of students who can attend college.鈥�

Gorham and his wife Tracey support the Health and Human Performance program, since he studied exercise science and works in the industry. Regardless of their major, though, Gorham said he鈥檚 eager to show every student how they can be successful at 91传媒. They give to the Building Champions campaign, in addition to scholarships.

鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 about giving back and knowing that what you鈥檙e giving goes directly to students who may not otherwise be able to go to college,鈥� Gorham said. 鈥淟ife gets busy and we don鈥檛 stop to think about it, but if it hadn鈥檛 been for Eastern I wouldn鈥檛 have what I do today.鈥�

Gorham said his family has lived in the Grande Ronde Valley since the 1870s, and those deep roots keep him committed to improving access and opportunity for students in the region. Alongside his fellow Foundation Trustees, Gorham said he鈥檚 inspired by the sense of working toward a common goal.

鈥淚 really enjoy the teamwork and bringing people together from so many different walks of life for the goal of making 91传媒 better,鈥� he said. 鈥淕iving of time, giving of ideas 鈥� that鈥檚 altruism, being part of something bigger to make something better.鈥�