Dear Friends of 91传媒,

As we embark on another academic year, I continue to be filled with excitement and anticipation since stepping into my role as President of 91传媒 just a few short months ago. It is with immense pleasure
that I express my heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support and commitment to our institution.

Taking on the role of President has been a remarkable journey, one that has offered me an up-close look at the incredible community which makes up 91传媒. In these few months, I have been deeply moved by the dedication and passion that our alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and friends have for this institution.

91传媒 has a rich history, and I am honored to play a part in its future. I firmly believe that a thriving university is the result of a collective effort, and your generosity and philanthropic spirit are at the heart of what makes us so special.

Our shared vision is a transformative educational experience for our students 鈥� one that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to succeed in a constantly changing world. Your contributions, whether through scholarships, infrastructure improvements, or program support, are instrumental in helping us realize this vision.

As we look ahead to the coming months and years, we have ambitious plans and exciting initiatives in store. We aim to foster innovation, promote student success, and deepen 91传媒鈥檚 impact in the local and regional communities we serve. Your continued partnership is vital to our success, and I am confident that, together, we can achieve remarkable accomplishments. Your belief in 91传媒’s mission and your dedication to our students are truly inspiring. I invite you to engage with us, visit our campus, and connect with our vibrant community. Your presence and insights will undoubtedly enrich our journey.

I want to express my deepest gratitude for your ongoing support. You are our collaborators, our advocates, and our partners in shaping the future of 91传媒. I am excited to see the incredible progress we will make together. As we embark on this new chapter in the life of our institution, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey.

Together, we are shaping a better tomorrow for generations to come!

With heartfelt appreciation and warm regards,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

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To my fellow alumni and friends of 91传媒,

It gives me great pleasure to introduce this issue of the Mountaineer Magazine. As a 2006 and 2008 alumna of 91传媒 and the current President of the 91传媒 Alumni Association, I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with and for the Alumni Association for the past nine years. It has been a wonderful blend of being able to give back while staying engaged with the University that has been foundational to my life endeavors.

91传媒 holds a very special place in my heart. When I think back to what has shaped me as a person, 91传媒 is at the top of my list. 91传媒 not only provided me with a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education with hands-on learning that equipped me for a successful career at a global tech company, but it gave me diverse experiences that I would have never had access to at a different institution. I was able to excel in academics, give back to the community, gain experience as a teacher鈥檚 aide and tutor, and participate in extracurricular activities. The experiences I gained and lessons I learned at 91传媒 have shaped me into the mother, wife, businesswoman, and community member I am today.

No matter your background, 91传媒 provides transformational education for students and one-of-a-kind experiences, both in the classroom and in the field. Every class, club, and campaign are opportunities for experiential, real-world learning. Whether this be ongoing professional development for current teachers of rural school districts, to onsite archaeological digs in Croatia. From ongoing research and impact projects in eastern Oregon, to finding inclusivity and lifelong relationships right here on campus. The people of 91传媒 鈥� students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and community 鈥� make every opportunity for new experiences which stay with and shape them throughout their own life journeys.

Wishing you the best as we look forward to summer and to the future.

Thank you.

Adriana DalSoglio, 鈥�06 and 鈥�08

President, 91传媒 Alumni Association Board of Directors

The post Message From the Alumni President appeared first on 91传媒 .

Season鈥檚 greetings fellow alumni, colleagues, and friends,

As we come towards the close of another year, we give thanks for the many blessings we have 鈥� our students have successfully completed the fall term, our faculty and staff continue making Eastern a world-class experience, and our programs continue to thrive.

I have had the distinct privilege of serving on the 91传媒 Foundation Board for five years, and I am completing my second year of service as the Chair of the Board. We have tremendous support and have seen some really exciting progress on major projects and campaigns.

These projects 鈥� from the Fieldhouse, with the Neely Health and Human Performance Center, to the launch of new programs, like the Agriculture-Entrepreneurship degree, to bringing baseball back to 91传媒 鈥� are what keeps us moving forward. The university constantly strives to not only meet the needs of our current students, but also to meet ongoing needs of the economies, ecosystems, and communities we serve. The 91传媒 Foundation, with your support, provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to 91传媒 students and helps make these projects a reality.

But, at the center of all of this 鈥� the people. The people who work tirelessly and are so committed to ensuring these projects can take shape. Those who have stepped up and provided support, pledges, donations 鈥� these are the people who keep us going. These are the true inspiration. You鈥檙e about to see real gifts from real people and the impact these have. As one student said 鈥� 鈥淲e鈥檙e working hard for them because of what they have already done for us鈥� 鈥� and that rings so true. Your gifts make an impact. Your gift matters. To me. To the Foundation. To the students. To the university.

Wishing you the best and brightest this holiday season,

Mark Pearson | 鈥�77

Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors

The post Message from the Chair of the Foundation Board appeared first on 91传媒 .

Excellence in teaching and learning are at the center of 91传媒鈥檚 identity, and you鈥檒l find these themes woven throughout this issue of The Mountaineer. Our shared legacy includes nearly a century of preparing teachers to serve schools throughout our region. These last several years have only highlighted the all-important role classrooms of all shapes and sizes play in their communities.

Through a screen, in a gym or on the job, 91传媒 alumni continue teaching and learning in a range of fields. Our distinctly rural context deepens opportunities for partnership and innovation, bringing cutting-edge solutions to today鈥檚 educators. Creative writers and poets reach the next generation of readers with inspiration, while new data sets reveal striking insights about local populations. Co-curriculars like internships, clubs and athletics strengthen the student experience and guide Mountaineers toward connection with peers and mentors. Community organizations work with the Rural Engagement and Vitality Center to tap into faculty expertise and student energy.

All the while, I have the privilege of sharing these stories with colleagues and friends across the state. Telling our stories often compels others to get involved, and this winter the Oregon legislature invested $4 million in our story regarding the Grand Staircase. The restoration of this historical access point marks a concrete step in 91传媒鈥檚 ascent.

I鈥檓 grateful to be among you, also teaching and learning, as we move forward together.

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Insko, 鈥�94 | President

The post Message from the President appeared first on 91传媒 .

As I write this, students are in classes with their peers and professors. The return to in-person instruction and activities is a triumph achieved by every member of our university community.

Many of you can attest to the impact of engaging, one-on-one conversation with faculty and mentors. Those relationships are central to what makes 91传媒 so special and allows our students to thrive and achieve their dreams.

As always, we remain committed to the health and safety of the 91传媒 community. Last year, we came together and found the optimal balance of in-person activities and health protocols that enabled 91传媒 to be one of just a handful of universities to have in-person classes. And, this year, tools such as vaccines, masking, daily health checks, and testing allow us all to safely come together for learning.

The energy created when Mounties are together is transformative. Throughout this issue of The Mountaineer you鈥檒l find stories of alumni interacting in the world beyond 91传媒. Whether they鈥檙e leading young people through national parks, or leading one of Oregon鈥檚 largest beef companies鈥�91传媒 alumni recognize one another through a shared set of values and principles.

Lately, I鈥檝e been struck by how often interdependence arises as crucial to our shared success. I鈥檓 grateful to count each of you as a member of our 91传媒 family.

Thank you,
Thomas A. Insko, 鈥�94
President

The post President鈥檚 Letter 鈥� Fall 2021 appeared first on 91传媒 .

It is my pleasure to introduce this latest issue of The Mountaineer. Just like so many aspects of our university, this publication has transformed since I joined 91传媒鈥檚 newly established Board of Trustees in 2015. As an 91传媒 Foundation Board Member, through scholarships I witnessed the opportunity of a college degree dramatically change the lives of our students. Today, as Chair of the 91传媒 Board of Trustees, I continue to experience the myriad ways our community grows, thrives and serves the region on a daily basis.

My own career began at an 91传媒 campus noticeboard, where a job posting connected me with a network of entrepreneurial opportunity that has continued to flourish today. The confidence instilled in me by the faculty and staff at 91传媒 has had a dramatic affect on my life. My own children and neighbors have also discovered their potential at 91传媒. Giving back to the institution that has given me so much is truly an honor and a privilege.

As we work to grow the number of lives impacted, I am constantly reminded of the transformational education 91传媒 provides. Low-income, first-generation, rural and traditionally marginalized students thrive in the supportive, tight-knit culture fostered here. These stories exemplify 91传媒鈥檚 role as an educational, cultural and economic engine for rural places.

Expanding access, opportunity and completion promises a growing workforce, thriving communities, and renewed commitment to service and philanthropy. This issue of The Mountaineer showcases 91传媒 students, alumni and faculty contributing to the wellbeing of our region. 91传媒 is able to grow, thrive, and serve because of the individuals who do just that both personally and in the public square.

I am interminably grateful to work alongside you all.

Sincerely,

Richard Chaves, 鈥�73

Chair, 91传媒 Board of Trustees

The post Message From The 91传媒 Board Chair appeared first on 91传媒 .

鈥淭ogether, it鈥檚 possible鈥� is my mantra. Interdependence is one of our core values at 91传媒 because we recognize opportunity is enhanced and success is achieved through the cultivation of vibrant connections and relationships. It is through our collective capabilities and strong alignment of purpose that 91传媒 has served so many in its 91-year history. Resiliency is a byproduct of embracing our interdependence and we enter 91传媒鈥檚 92nd academic year poised to meet the challenges of today.

Access and opportunity are at the heart of our mission to serve this region and its students. Last fall, we welcomed our most culturally and ethnically diverse freshmen class in school history. In the last five years, the proportion of ethnically diverse students attending 91传媒 has doubled. We have made strides in supporting and retaining these students, essentially eliminating the achievement gap, both online and on campus. Overcoming intersecting systems of oppression, many of our Black, Indigenous and students of color model resilience every day.

This year, the global pandemic has tested our resiliency. As we resume in-person instruction this fall, every member of our community is testing their strength to rebound, reorganize and reimagine. We do so knowing that together, it鈥檚 possible.

During this moment in history, recognizing our interdependence is a powerful act. We celebrate it in this issue of The Mountaineer. Pageant contestants, student body presidents, organizers, educators, doctors, scholars and 鈥渂allers鈥� are valued for their contributions to the community. Continuing to learn about and address institutions, such as systemic racism, that create barriers to success for some is a way that we live out our value of interdependence.

As always, our students are leading the way. In this distinct and often difficult time, Mountaineers remain as compassionate, courageous and determined as we have come to expect them to be.

Sincerely,

Tom Insko, 鈥�94

President

The post President’s Letter – Fall 2020 appeared first on 91传媒 .

Fellow Alumni and Friends,

Two years ago, 91传媒 was designated 鈥淥regon鈥檚 Rural University.鈥� This moniker symbolizes 91传媒鈥檚 commitment and interconnection to our region, rural eastern Oregon. Until now, we never knew how much it meant.

91传媒 serves as the cultural, educational, and economic engine of rural places, and our success is inextricably linked to the communities where students actively engage and learn. As we navigate this unprecedented time, I stand proud of the 91传媒 community and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of this university have adapted quickly to continue living out our mission and values. When spring term classes on-campus shifted to remote-access, academic departments and support staff collaborated to transition curriculum and services in every area of the institution, drawing from our long history of delivering education at a distance.

Although our main campus has been empty these last few months, our students have remained engaged. Club events, leadership opportunities, coursework, and study sessions are taking place in new, virtual environments.

As we ensure the educational success of current students, we are continually reminded of the difference 91传媒 alumni are making in their communities. Stories enclosed here illustrate how the Mountaineer network powers countless companies, organizations, and neighborhoods around the globe, especially in times of crisis.

I am blessed to have graduated from Oregon鈥檚 Rural University. I am thankful for all that our alumni contribute to society and the communities they call home. 91传媒 is an engine because its alumni, friends, employees, and students unlock cultural, social, and economic opportunities amid every kind of challenge.

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Insko, 鈥�94
President

The post President’s Letter – Spring 2020 appeared first on 91传媒 .

Altruism, giving selflessly to empower one another through inclusiveness, appreciation, and stewardship, is a core value of our 91传媒 community. We are all beneficiaries of this value and it makes for an especially distinctive student experience 鈥� an Eastern Edge.

Frequently, I see altruistic service amongst 91传媒 Mountaineers. Meaningful mentorship, creative curricular and extracurricular endeavors, celebrations of individual and community success, and encouragement in the face of challenges bring out the best in us. The meaningful relationships between faculty and students continue to impact our graduates as they experience successful careers and fulfilling lives.

Altruism runs deep at Oregon鈥檚 Rural University and makes 91传媒 a great place to work and learn. This fall, we welcome two new deans to the faculty: Matt Seimears in the College of Education and Ed Henninger in the College of Business. They join ranks of accomplished faculty and dedicated alumni in each field. As we mark the university鈥檚 90th academic year, I look forward to the first stages of construction on the Fieldhouse and reaching our goals to grow the number of lives impacted. New relationships will support a growing number of online and on-campus learners from the region and around the world.

We are committed to cultivating success for our students. We are blessed with a wonderful community of Mountaineers 鈥� employees, alumni and friends 鈥� and we celebrate this by sharing some of our stories. I look back on my years as an 91传媒 student with gratitude and fondness. Altruistic people elevated my experience as a student and now encourage me as the university鈥檚 president. I appreciate each of you for helping continue our legacy of altruism into the future.

In gratitude,

Tom Insko, 鈥�94

President

The post President’s Letter – Fall 2019 appeared first on 91传媒 .

It is my honor to write this issue’s opening letter. I am a 2011 and 2013 graduate of 91传媒, and the current President of the 91传媒 Alumni Association Board of Directors. It has been my pleasure to work with the Alumni Association for the last six years, and stay involved with the university that gave me so much.

It was because of 91传媒 that I moved to La Grande in 2009. It was because of 91传媒 that I stayed to complete my MBA. It was because of 91传媒 that I met my husband and found my place as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. So much of my life was impacted when I moved to the beautiful Grande Ronde Valley, all thanks to 91传媒.

This edition of The Mountaineer is all about 鈥淲omen On The Rise,鈥� and as a woman still rising, I know I am in good company with those featured. We come from all different backgrounds, but our desire is all the same 鈥� to be the best versions of ourselves for our families, friends, community members, associates, and society.

Each of the stories features the work, creativity, leadership and abilities of women from 91传媒 鈥� alumnae, faculty and students. These profiles illustrate the incredible value and skills they bring to our world and how they have made a difference. I am so proud of these friends and colleagues, and I know that there are many, many more just like them in our lives and communities.

91传媒 has played a part in all of our lives, in many different ways, and I hope you enjoy reading about these incredible women as much as I have.

All my best,

Mary Horn, 鈥�11, 鈥�12

President, 91传媒 Alumni Association

The post President’s Letter – Spring 2019 appeared first on 91传媒 .

October 2018

Friends and Fellow Alumni,

I count living much of my life in rural Oregon as one of my greatest blessings. Growing up on a farm, coupled with unwavering parental love and support provided me with innumerable values-based experiential learning opportunities. It was easy to see the fruits of my labor and consequences of poor decisions. Trust, love, and support were constant. Growing up rural was an advantage for me and I believe that 91传媒鈥檚 rural location is also a tremendous advantage.

Earlier this year, 91传媒 was officially designated 鈥淥regon鈥檚 Rural University.鈥� This recognition of 91传媒鈥檚 unique status has already garnered national attention, and represents our deep connection and commitment to rural places. Most important, it signifies the experience students have at 91传媒.

Embracing our rural roots allows us to provide the six elements of emotional support and experiential learning in college that are correlated with long-term career and life success: 91传媒 students connect with professors that make them excited about learning. They develop authentic relationships and feel truly cared for as individuals. They discover mentors, who support their goals and dreams. With this support, they experience meaningful long-term projects, jobs or internships where learning is applied, and involvement in extracurricular activities.

The stories in this issue provide examples of our rural values manifesting themselves locally and globally. We celebrate the first graduate of our Oregon Teacher Pathway program, a partnership with regional school districts providing a unique and personal teacher development program to rural students. We highlight Mountaineer altruism in one student鈥檚 mission to collect shoes for Nigerian youth, and new 91传媒 trustees serving our great institution.

We are Oregon鈥檚 Rural University! We have grit and can provide a transformational educational experience few others can. It is the Eastern Edge.

Sincerely,
Tom Insko, 鈥�94
President

The post President’s Letter – Fall 2018 appeared first on 91传媒 .

As we approach graduation, I am thrilled to reflect on another incredible year at 91传媒. The achievements and distinctions that we have chronicled in this issue of The Mountaineer are a few of the ways our students, faculty, partners and alumni embody our Values and Principles as we make progress toward strategic goals.

Meaningful civic engagement is at the core of student success at Eastern. On University Lobby Day, I was proud that we had the largest contingent of student volunteers who met with lawmakers in Salem to promote higher education. Our students鈥� engagement demonstrated 91传媒鈥檚 importance to the region and rural Oregon.

During the February legislative session, 91传媒 was officially designated as Oregon鈥檚 Rural University. Importantly, this illustrates our deep connection to rural places. It represents our commitment to strengthening our role as engaged partners with community organizations, school districts, businesses, and government agencies.This designation gives us a competitive advantage in seeking additional federal and private resources to provide transformational education while serving as an economic engine for rural places.

91传媒鈥檚 identity emanates through actions consistent with our values and principles, mission, and strategic plan. I hope you enjoy examples of this in these Mountaineer stories.

Sincerely,
Tom Insko, 鈥�94
President

P.S., To read more about our strategy, mission, and see the full list of our values and principles, visit eou.edu/about.

The post President’s Letter – Spring 2018 appeared first on 91传媒 .

As we set out on another academic year at 91传媒, I am incredibly proud to welcome new students, faculty and staff to the Mountaineer family. We are moving with purpose toward 91传媒鈥檚 centennial anniversary in 2029.

We鈥檝e identified an ambitious set of goals focused on student success, financial sustainability, and engagement with rural communities throughout Oregon. 鈥淭he Ascent 2029,鈥� a comprehensive strategic plan adopted by the Board of Trustees this spring, incorporates all areas of the university and serves as a practical document, providing benchmarks and objectives against which we can measure our progress.

Our strategic aims include:
(1) propelling students toward graduation and successful careers,
(2) enriching the academic experience through real-world learning experiences,
(3) reaching a growing number of individuals,
(4) developing our thriving university community,
(5) building meaningful relationships with organizations and leaders across the state, and
(6) securing the university鈥檚 future financially.

Running parallel to these goals are 91传媒鈥檚 new Values and Principles. A collaborative group of faculty, students and staff outlined and presented six key institutional values that have been adopted by the university community. They are: altruism, civility, discovery, integrity, interdependence, and quality.

To help drive our plans and programs, I am thrilled to share that our leadership is team fully in place for fall term. Please join me in welcoming Vice President for Student Affairs Lacy Karpilo; Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Nate Lowe; Dean of Science, Technology, Math and Health Sciences Peter Geissinger; and Executive Director of Regional Outreach and Innovation David Vande Pol. Their commitment to this institution and its vision is remarkable and will help us achieve new heights.

Guided by our collective goals and values, powered by the contributions of passionate alumni and friends, and equipped with an energized academic leadership team 鈥� I am confident 91传媒 has the tools to become a leading regional university (or Oregon鈥檚 Rural University).

We have set the bar high, and as we embark on this journey toward our 100th anniversary, I look forward to the support and engagement of our alumni and friends and continue to be certain that 鈥渢ogether, it鈥檚 possible.鈥�

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Insko, 鈥�94

###

NOTES:

STRATEGIC PLAN FRAMEWORK
Goal 1: Student Success 鈥� Graduate students with the competence and confidence to succeed
Goal 2: Transformational Education 鈥� Enrich academic quality and enhance intellectual vitality
Goal 3: Grow the Number of Lives Impacted 鈥� Expand student access, opportunity, and completion
Goal 4: Thriving University Community 鈥� A Great Place to Work and Learn
Goal 5: Relevance and Interconnection 鈥� Serve as the educational, economic, and cultural engine for rural places
Goal 6: Financial Sustainability 鈥� Stewardship in financial sustainability and in growing 91传媒鈥檚 financial and capital resources

VALUES:
Altruism, Civility, Discovery, Integrity, Interdependence, and Quality

CORE THEMES:
Access for all, high-quality programs, live-learn-succeed

The post President’s Letter — Summer/Fall 2017 appeared first on 91传媒 .

Dear 91传媒 Community,

Uncertainty seems to be the word of the year. It鈥檚 hard to strategize and serve when you can鈥檛 always see around the corner.

Yet, we must plan to make sure we take care of our community. While the tone of this message is different from my usual communications, the purpose remains unchanged: to inform, to strengthen our community, and to focus on what we can control by preparing together.

A lot of variability exists in . As such, the state continues to anticipate the need for budget reductions (aka less revenue) in the form of a clawback of monies. We don鈥檛 know how much, and I鈥檓 hoping it鈥檚 as little as 2.5-5% in 2026, based on the state agency budget reduction exercise. The December state forecast looks better than that issued in September, but the state economist warns that 2027-2029 will be a difficult biennium for Oregon. The higher education community is holding its breath, hoping December鈥檚 news provides some reprieve for 2026.

We must, however, plan for the possibility of budget reductions even as we advocate for relief from the state. Soon, I will issue an exercise to all units on campus to develop budgets reflecting 2.5% and 5% cuts just to make sure we鈥檝e begun the preparation should the reductions come to fruition. Yes, we will also likely make use of the fund balance.

We got news of this proposed clawback in state budgets in August and September, and we鈥檝e continued to work to advocate since that time period, as well as communicate with you regularly about what we know. We have been fortunate to have been able to talk about these proposed cuts in all the unit meetings I visited at the beginning of the academic year, as well as in our shared governance meetings for Faculty Senate, University Council, and Budget and Planning.

I know this is not the news you want to hear. I don鈥檛 like it either. We are part of a larger ecosystem that needs fixing, and it’s frustrating to hit the same territory again and again. I recognize the emotional weight that comes with this.

I also know the strength of this community. We have compassionate, committed people who care deeply about our mission, our students, and each other. This gives me hope. Whatever challenges arise, we will navigate them together鈥攖houghtfully, transparently, and with the resilience that has carried us through before.

Even in times of uncertainty and frustration, there are also things to be grateful for, and these too deserve our focus. I鈥檓 grateful to Madeline Kennedy, Haley Evans, LeeAnn Case, Tyler Thamert, Kimberly Newman and Tara Gekas for all of their work in making 91传媒鈥檚 Annual Gift-giving Drive accessible for our entire campus community this year. And thank you to all who have been purchasing gifts from the wishlist to support those in need this season.

The food pantry has engaged in some terrific and creative support for students over the break. I鈥檓 grateful to Pamela Frederick William鈥檚 leadership in this work! We are also thankful for the strong community support of the 91传媒 Food Pantry, which helps ensure students have consistent access to food throughout the academic year.

We are extremely grateful to Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) for a $7,500 donation, the Roundhouse Foundation for $6,000, Oregon Food Bank for $6,000 in funding support, and Hines Meat Company for confirming monthly meat donations to the food pantry. These partnerships help reduce basic-needs barriers so students can stay focused on learning, persist through challenges, and succeed at 91传媒.

I am grateful to AVP Bennie Moses-Mesubed for her leadership, and to everyone who contributed to our grant proposal for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. Despite a very short timeline, you came together to produce a strong submission.

I鈥檝e also read about some yummy cookies prepared for 91传媒鈥檚 faculty and staff by DeAnna Timmermann, Janna Geissinger, Connor Heather, MJ Heather, Jamie Baker, Dottie McInerney, and Kimberly Zollman. How lovely to support each other . . . with sugar!!

? 91传媒!! Congratulations to all our coaches, staff, student-athletes, and leadership at 91传媒! Additional kudos to 91传媒 Volleyball for advancing to the NAIA semifinals and winning two of the five sets. Another shout-out goes to Coach McLean Morehead, who was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) West Region Coach of the Year for 2025, and to senior student-athlete Kiauna Mack, who earned the title of AVCA Region Player of the Year. We also celebrate Keira Vaughn and Brooke Womack, who joined Kiauna on the All-Region list.

As this eventful term comes to a close (with its ups and downs) I know we are all counting down the days to our winter break. I hope each of you has the opportunity to enjoy the respite.

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

The post From the President 鈥� December 10, 2025 appeared first on 91传媒 .

Dear 91传媒 Community,

I really enjoyed being in community with you at our 鈥淔all into an Attitude of Gratitude鈥� all-campus event. Thank you for spending time with us and for sharing your gratitude for one another. Many folks used a post-it note to share what they are grateful for, and the dominant theme was appreciation for one another 鈥� friends, colleagues, family, and the 91传媒 community, programs, and campus.

It鈥檚 been a busy season at 91传媒, and I鈥檓 hopeful each of you finds time to lean into the break that Thanksgiving provides all of us. A little time to reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones is much needed this time of year.

We鈥檝e had some major changes at the university lately, including having a new Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Chuck Hofmann. As a member of the board since I arrived at 91传媒, I鈥檝e gotten to know Dr. Hofmann well and trust his leadership will be beneficial to 91传媒. He is already bringing lots of great energy and ideas to the table.

We finalized 91传媒鈥檚 contract with Risepoint, our Online Program Marketing Manager, and participated in a visit by Risepoint Vice President Phyllis Hauptfeld to meet with faculty and staff. I hope many of you were able to meet her. She has good energy! That鈥檚 a good start to the partnership!

Provost Geissinger and I received the report from NWCCU on our accreditation visit. Though the report has not been finalized by NWCCU鈥檚 Board, 91传媒 received commendations for our focus on student success, our efforts to enhance collaboration, and our partnerships with the community. They have recommended we work on refining our academic program learning outcomes assessment and using that work to improve teaching and learning at the university. We are also asked to bring focus to accomplishing key strategies in our strategic plan.

The past few weeks have included a lot of travel between 91传媒 meetings. Recently, I visited with Director Torrie Griggs of Boardman鈥檚 Chamber of Commerce for a Facebook Live podcast to highlight the great work we do at 91传媒. She shared that it has over 2,500 views! Dean Scott McConnell and I met with Lisa Mittlesdorf, CEO of the Port of Morrow, and Ben Harvey, Community Engagement Lead with Amazon Web Services. I connected with 91传媒 donors in La Grande and attended the Soroptimist鈥檚 Festival of Trees annual event in support of scholarships.

As always, there鈥檚 a ton to be thankful for at 91传媒. We are so fortunate to be a cultural hub for our region. I enjoyed the newest exhibit in the Nightingale Gallery, Shifting Grounds by Andrew Parker, and the Thursday night performance of Shakespeare in Love, directed by Mike Heather. The gallery served as an excellent location to put a spotlight on our artistic endeavors at a donor event last Saturday.

Our Athletics continue to astound me! Coach Kaki McLean Morehead was recognized as the 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference volleyball Coach of the Year. Wow!!

Have a wonderful holiday break, and I look forward to seeing you back for the homestretch of the fall term!

In appreciation,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

The post From the President 鈥� November 25, 2025 appeared first on 91传媒 .

Dear 91传媒 Community,

Higher education has undergone dramatic shifts in the past year, and 91传媒 strongly maintains its commitment to student success amid these challenges. Last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with the Oregon delegation regarding our concerns about some of the new uncertainties we face. We asked for their advocacy around Pell and TRIO grants, as well as graduate student funding. In addition, I shared our work in fighting to close the equity gaps between rural versus urban and suburban post secondary attainment.

This may seem like a tough time to put student needs front and center, because there are a lot of competing needs in this state and in our country; however, I continue to believe that higher education can be a solution to many of the issues we face.

Oregon鈥檚 Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) updated universities and community colleges on its process for prioritizing the request of Oregon鈥檚 Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) to engage in 鈥渟cenario planning鈥� around cuts to state agencies. HECC aims 鈥渢o prioritize reductions that would have the least impact on students, particularly the most vulnerable.鈥� They are still working through the process and soliciting feedback from universities and community colleges. At present, their plans do not exceed more than 5% cuts to the Public University Support Fund, and they are looking at all funding categories.

A lot of work happens right here at 91传媒 to push for greater rural post-secondary attainment. I had the pleasure of visiting this year鈥檚 Investigators of Science event. This clever yearly event invited students to uncover the culprit in a Halloween party murder mystery using scientific investigation. I was excited to welcome students from around our region to this interactive STEM (Chemistry, Biology, Math, and Computer Science) experience. This event has become so popular that registration had to be shut down early, with over 100 applicants from 19 schools. Special thanks to Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center for organizing, the La Grande Soroptimists and the Richland Section of the American Chemical Society for their sponsorship, and our faculty volunteers (11!) from Chemistry, Biology, Math, Psychology, Health and Human Performance, and Theater, and our student volunteers (44!) from the Chemistry Club, Biology Club, Math Club, OHSU Nursing, and Theater for making this such an incredible experience.

Our Financial Aid Office (FAO) staff are fostering a college-going culture too, and supporting enrollment before students even arrive at 91传媒 by partnering with local high schools for FAFSA nights. By meeting seniors and families where they are, the FAO team is answering questions, clearing up confusion, and reducing stress. These visits make positive impacts by helping more seniors complete the FAFSA on time and unlock grants and scholarships. Fall 2025 visits have included Imbler, Joseph, Enterprise, Pine Eagle, Grant Union, Prairie City, La Grande, Union, and Cove.

I often get questions about the number of faculty and staff at the university, and we submit many reports about our staffing levels to the state, the federal government, and other agencies and associations. Our three categories of employees include faculty, classified staff, and administrative professionals, each of which accounts for about one-third of our employees. Our numbers vary according to which report you view.

I am always proud of the good work we do at 91传媒 – truly, there is so much to celebrate! Our faculty, staff, and students are advancing excellence every day. The good work we do at 91传媒 requires faculty and staff, and we鈥檝e taken on a number of projects that serve our community, have a positive effect on future college-going among youth, and support child development. 91传媒 employs staff in both our Head Start and GO STEM Programs, which are fully grant-funded. We serve a large number of community members with these projects, and the benefit of their contributions to the university is undeniable!

Our student-athletes continue being champions both in and outside of the classroom. 91传媒 captured three of the five possible titles in the Cascade Collegiate Conference this year – Men鈥檚 Soccer, Women鈥檚 Volleyball, and Men鈥檚 Cross Country. In addition, Coach Jessy Watson of Men鈥檚 Soccer won Coach of the Year, and Ben Welch earned his 32nd career Coach of the Year honor and 14th for Men鈥檚 Cross Country. Congratulations to all of our coaches, players, and the leadership of Athletics for such a winning season!

Many thanks to our ROTC for leading the flag-raising ceremony and to the 91传媒 Choir for beautifully performing the National Anthem as we honored Veterans Day together. I was sorry to have to miss this due to business travel, but the pictures on social media showed just how beautiful the occasion was!

Hang in there! We鈥檙e almost at Thanksgiving break, when we can all have a welcome respite!

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

The post From the President 鈥� November 12, 2025 appeared first on 91传媒 .

Gratitude, purpose, and connection

Dear 91传媒 Community,

The beautiful fall weather and colors are keeping me focused on the here and now. The tangerines, red, and deep greens have captured my attention and kept me focused on the things that make life enjoyable. The ride! The chaos around us can鈥檛 define who we are and what we do.

Gratitude, purpose, and connection are my keys to happiness (and for many others, if you ask psychologists). All the more reason I enjoy sitting down to write these letters to you. Sharing with you our colleagues鈥� successes helps reframe our commitments to each other and our shared purpose of lifting up educational opportunities for rural Oregonians. We need each other at 91传媒; faculty, staff, and administration are all here to lift up our work.

As I write, I don鈥檛 know the outcome of our visit with NWCCU, but I do know that so much effort went into preparing for this visit. All across 91传媒, we鈥檝e been asking hard questions about what we鈥檝e done and how we can be our best, and I鈥檓 hopeful they saw that. Karen Clay, Angie Adams, and Provost Peter Geissinger have been our fearless leaders and organizers for this momentous visit. Special thanks to Deans Darren Dutto, Nate Lowe, and Scott McConnell for helping out with some large requests!

I鈥檇 like to thank everyone for their patience during the planned power shutdowns. With the assistance of our 91传媒 employees, Darryl Nobles and Brad Walters, OTEC and All Phase were able to gather critical information about our medium-voltage campus utility system. 91传媒鈥檚 IT staff and Darryl also collaborated to ensure that the backup generators operating the Data Centers and Badgley Hall are working properly. Their coordination and hard work before and during the shutdowns have made the process run more smoothly each time. Thank you!

And thank you to all of you who help make our campus vibrant. I appreciate the Library faculty and staff for arranging their Night Against Procrastination event, which draws students in for fun and pancakes at just the right time for both studying and diversion. I鈥檓 also impressed by the new work of 91传媒鈥檚 American Democracy Project and their coordination with the League of Women Voters of Union County, Oregon 鈥� a nonpartisan organization 鈥� to bring a discussion about the impact of changing drug laws in our community. These are just the kinds of events that make universities special!

I鈥檝e been doing my share of event-ing too. I really enjoyed hearing Alysia Cohen鈥檚 faculty research on 鈥淢itigating Stress and Anxiety Among College Health Profession Students鈥� at our faculty colloquium. Her presentation resulted in a fascinating conversation that occurred afterwards. I finished my annual meeting with every unit on campus, and it was great to have time in smaller groups to talk about our future and the big and small questions burning in our brains. Of course, supporting 91传媒 athletics is a full-time job, and I loved catching games this weekend and welcoming Scott Crawford, NAIA鈥檚 Frontier Conference Commissioner, to 91传媒. 91传媒鈥檚 Oregon Agricultural Foundation, which supports scholarships for our students, was on campus, and I had a great time discussing our challenges and opportunities. They are such a sweet group of folks who care about our community.

Other meetings included local and state leadership. The , in which I serve as convener, met with Governor Kotek to share our priorities for regional development. I took Casey Hallgarth, Superintendent of Baker School District, for a walk around campus as we discussed how we can better partner to serve Baker County. Superintendent Halgrath is an alum, and he was excited to see some of the changes we鈥檝e made in the past few years.

I had some travel over the past week that took me to New York City. While I was there, I popped into the Swiss Institute / Contemporary Art New York and saw ,鈥� an incredible exhibition that examines natural resources extraction. Such a thoughtful exhibit that made for wonderful conversation with my travel companions. Take a look! I also got to see the and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was all great food for my soul.

Finally, Happy Halloween 91传媒! I may still be caught binging horror movies for a few more weeks, but never at the cost of serving you! Thank you to each of you who shared your favorite horror movie with me.

Wishing you well,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

The post From the President 鈥� October 29, 2025 appeared first on 91传媒 .

Dear 91传媒 Community

Homecoming week this year was particularly special because it gave me the opportunity to celebrate and smile at a time when I really needed it. What I most like about Homecoming is hearing about how much 91传媒 has changed individual lives. There are so many stories, and getting to visit with current and former students lifted me up. I visited with our Athletic Hall of Fame recipients, joined our parade, met with our Alumni and Foundation Boards, and attended the tailgate and football game, among other activities. I also got to play human Scrabble with some students and see them enjoy all the fun events. Thank you to everyone who made this event so special, especially Suzannah Moore, Emily Diaz-Leal, and everyone in Athletics!

The Library reached out with a request for all of us. I encourage you to share your thoughts with the Library by participating in this use and satisfaction survey (), open through Sunday, Oct. 19. Learning from one another is important in building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Constructive feedback helps us identify opportunities for growth.

Student success is our #1 priority, and it is with immense gratitude that I am sharing a special shout-out to our Residence Life team, who have demonstrated remarkable dedication and resilience over the past several months. From successfully hosting summer camps and navigating leadership transitions to supporting ongoing capital improvement projects, their commitment to our students and fostering a vibrant campus community is unwavering. Thank you for continuing to create welcoming, supportive spaces where students can thrive, and for transforming our residence halls into true communities and our buildings into homes.

It鈥檚 always inspiring to see the great work happening across 91传媒 being shared throughout Oregon and beyond. Thank you, Dr. Hope Schuermann, Director of 91传媒鈥檚 Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, for sharing how 91传媒鈥檚 program is helping strengthen Oregon鈥檚 behavioral health workforce during your presentation to the Oregon Behavioral Health Talent Council. Thank you, Pamela Fredrick Williams, for representing 91传媒 at the 2025 National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) and sharing how our Benefits Navigator program supports student success by connecting students to essential state supports such as SNAP and Basic Needs Oregon.

Now that we鈥檙e settled into the new school year, things have really taken off. I had the opportunity to meet with Mark Browning of Blue Mountain Community College and Mark Mulvihill of the Intermountain Educational Service District to discuss how we can better partner together. I also met with Demar茅e Michelau of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), La Grande鈥檚 new City Manager, John O鈥橞rien, and the director of Union County鈥檚 Chamber of Commerce (and alum,) Saajan Chauhan, to do the same! I鈥檝e started spending more time with some of our wonderful donors, having meetings with several of our music and mathematics scholarship donors, as well as those interested in our baseball program. I spent time with Governor Kotek and First Lady Kotek Wilson in Salem, and also got to see my niece, who just moved to Portland! And I, too, enjoy continuously sharing examples of the great work 91传媒 is doing.

Our internal meetings have also taken off. The University Council, Faculty Senate, and Budget and Planning/Tuition Advisory Council have all met to begin this year鈥檚 work, and I attended all these meetings. I鈥檝e also been getting together more often with AS91传媒 leadership, meeting with the president and the executive leadership over the past two weeks. We hosted a vitality event with sidewalk chalk over the lunch hour today. And, I鈥檓 still finishing up my beginning-of-the-year unit meetings with each unit on campus. Almost there!

In my free time during this time of year, I spend as much time as I can watching horror movies, but as many of you know, I am also an avid reader. One thoughtful piece worth diving into is Meghan O’Rourke’s New York Times essay, 鈥淚 Teach Creative Writing. This is what A.I. Is Doing to Students.鈥� Despite the title (which is usually out of an author鈥檚 control), it鈥檚 a very thoughtful piece worth digesting and mulling over.`

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President

The post From the President – In the thick of the term! appeared first on 91传媒 .

We鈥檙e into our second week of classes, and it鈥檚 been great to have all the 鈥渘ew鈥� energy. New students, faculty, and staff, and also to reconnect with everyone across the campus as we discuss our mission and strategies for the coming year.

Our Week of Welcome continues to be a rousing success and a great way for each of us to connect with the newest Mounties. I had a ton of fun taking first-day pictures with our students, greeting them on the Quad at our activities fair, and visiting with them at all of our events. Thank you, Kathryn Shorts, for your energy and care for our newest students.

Fall brings many changes, and one of my favorites is the 91传媒 energy. Students are filling our classrooms and study spaces, connections are being made both online and on campus, our community is filling seats at events, artwork is gracing the Nightingale Gallery, and folks are celebrating the amazing work happening at 91传媒. It feels like we are at our best!

As always, we have much to be grateful for:

Special thanks to Dottie McInerney and Karen Wilburn for their collaboration on 91传媒鈥檚 annual Legislative Fiscal Office accounting report. Through their independent and diligent work, they prepared all the required information and successfully submitted the report ahead of the state鈥檚 Gold Star deadline.

91传媒 Chemistry Club has again received an Outstanding Award from the American Chemical Society for the 2024-25 academic year! This is the highest possible award that a Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society can receive. Congratulations to Assistant Professor Bri Holman and the amazing student leaders and members of the Chemistry Club for all their hard work.

Congratulations to Dr. Kelly McNeil for her vision and leadership in creating the GO ASAP (Get Outside After School Activity Program), a lasting model of experiential learning that inspires youth and 91传媒 students. The program is featured in this celebrating the program. Special thanks to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Community Partnership Program for providing the seed funding that helped make this sustainable and impactful program possible. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of GO ASAP and to the REV (Rural Engagement and Vitality Center) for continuing this work.

The Tutoring and Family Services portion of Eastern Oregon Reading Clinic (91传媒RC) has been doing incredible work, and like most of our projects, doing so on a shoestring budget cobbled from grants and 91传媒 resources. 91传媒RC employed 5 tutors this summer and offered July and August sessions, which served 18 local children from Union, Imbler, La Grande, and some homeschool families in Union County. This equated to 130 hours of free tutoring, not previously delivered in our community. For Fall, 91传媒RC recruited 22 91传媒 students, double the number of tutors usually in the fall term. Seven fall tutoring sites are planned, including after-school and evening availability. In addition, 91传媒RC launched Family Engagement efforts in 8 counties across Eastern Oregon. All efforts are centered around their mission statement: 鈥淧artnering with families across Eastern Oregon to ensure every child is a confident, capable reader.鈥� 91传媒RC began with outreach last spring and has since built partnerships with every single district and community organizations that responded! Congratulations to Professors Ronda Fritz and Jess Hagedorn for their amazing work. Wow!

I am excited to be in community with you this year as we continue to be proud of the incredible work we do to increase knowledge, promote learning, and foster the well-being of Eastern Oregon!

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President

The post From the President 鈥� A great start to the new year! appeared first on 91传媒 .

As you may be aware, the Federal Government has shut down pending agreement on a funding package. I know that moments like this can create uncertainty, especially for those who are receiving federal financial aid and other resources. I want to assure you that 91传媒 is closely monitoring the situation, and we have heard from the Department of Education.

At this time, the U.S. Department of Education has confirmed that current funding disbursements will continue. Specifically:

• Pell Grants and Direct Loans remain active; however, some delays could occur if the Department of Education systems experience downtime.
• Federal Student Aid and VA benefits will continue, although disbursement timing may be adjusted due to limited staffing or system outages.
• GI Bill and VA healthcare benefits will continue without disruption.
• International Students: Visa processing and SEVP monitoring remain uninterrupted.
• Research activities: Existing federally funded projects may continue, but new awards and sponsor communications will pause until the shutdown is resolved.

I understand that this situation may raise questions and concerns. 91传媒鈥檚 Financial Aid, Veterans Services, and International Programs remain available to support you. Please reach out if you have concerns about your funding or benefits.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available, and hopefully, this is a short-term issue. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this together.

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President

The post From the President 鈥� October 1, 2025 appeared first on 91传媒 .