Philanthropy for Students

For Fred and Phyllis Arnst and their family, Eastern Oregon University is a cherished and   longstanding part of their story. “We have a long, lovely list of the ways EOU has impacted our life and our family,” Phyllis Arnst said. “Our journey started in Eastern Oregon in 1968 in Wallowa County and then to […]

Seasons of Success

Volleyball Wins On and Off the Court Mountaineer athletics are about much more than just winning games, they are the foundation for creating success in academics and life beyond the classroom.  Volleyball Head Coach Kaki McLean Morehead just marked her 17th season and is the most successful volleyball coach in EOU history, boasting a record […]

Connections Fuel Success 

EOU prides itself on creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for its students. Recognizing the critical link between student connections and academic success, EOU builds a sense of belonging through campus vitality initiatives, including club activities, special events, student-faculty-staff competitions, and more. Under the leadership of President Kelly Ryan, EOU has expanded these efforts, encouraging […]

Perseverance Pays Off

Student Earns Degree After 39-year Journey Determination, dedication, and opportunity are key ingredients for academic success—just look at David Press, an Eastern Oregon University alum who recently completed his 39-year academic journey. The flexibility of EOU’s online courses and programs allowed him to pursue his dream despite life’s obstacles. David’s educational journey began in 1984, […]

Training for Success

Nurturing Leaders Through Service  At EOU, students find numerous paths to success, including through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Designed to develop leaders across disciplines, ROTC is open to all degree programs. This elective curriculum, taken alongside required classes, equips students with tools, training, and experiences essential for success in any competitive environment. “ROTC […]

Successful Sisters 

Building Lifelong Connections Success can be measured in the many  meaningful connections made during your college experience. Savannah and Naomi Potter found far more than academic success at Eastern Oregon University, where they built lifelong relationships that will extend well beyond graduation.  “I took full advantage of connecting and meeting people here, and I’m going […]

The Art of Leadership

Hadley Marshall is grateful for the opportunity to gain important skills at EOU Student Finds Success as Nightingale Gallery Director Hadley Marshall, a junior from Burns, just wrapped up is her first year as Student Director for the Nightingale Gallery in Loso Hall. Through this hands-on experience, she’s discovered her ability to lead after embracing […]

Rural Art Scholars

Finding Success on Stage and in Class For many students, academic and creative pursuits may be overshadowed by financial burdens, but with the Rural Arts Scholarship Program, Eastern Oregon University has introduced a pathway to new possibilities for aspiring musicians. The initiative is designed to provide significant financial support to freshman music majors from rural […]

GO-ASAP: Success Inside and Outside the Classroom

Anjelynn Baron, ’23, jumped at the opportunity to become a student mentor in GO-ASAP, the Get Outside-After School Activity Program, managed by EOU’s Rural Engagement & Vitality Center. As an aspiring elementary school gym teacher and currently attending EOU’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, Anjelynn saw GO-ASAP as the perfect platform to immerse herself […]

Dual Credits: Success Starts Early for local students at EOU

Eastern Oregon University is dedicated to supporting students’ educational journeys and pathways to success. Early College Initiatives, part of the Office of Admissions, supports this commitment by helping make college more affordable and ensuring student success.  La Grande High School senior Lana Emerson, who has taken voice lessons and participated in the Chamber Choir at […]

Pathways to Success

Eastern Oregon University and La Grande High School (LHS) are building on their long standing relationship to change the narrative for rural education in eastern Oregon. The high school and University aim to make higher education more accessible and improve student success through a series of programs with the goal of educating the future of […]

Message From the President

Dear Mountaineer Community, Greetings to our alumni, supporters, and friends. I hope you are energized by the amazing work of EOU students! My first year was inspiring, and witnessing the power of higher education to transform students continues to deepen my commitment to our sharedIn this issue, we focus on student success, a theme that […]

Mounties Show Their Support for EOU This Season and All Year Long

“I give to the Foundation in support of The Voice because I believe no college or university is complete without a student newspaper. For decades, The Voice and The Beacon before it, informed and represented the student body – creating valuable content for a specific group of students attending the university at a particular point […]

From College Sweethearts to Blue & Gold Legacies

In a cozy corner of the Library on EOU’s campus, longtime alumni Mary Jo Lemon, ’66, and her husband Terry Lemon, ’69, reminisced about their memories as adults, students, and children.  “I remember my mother bringing my sister and me to her office and just playing in the halls of Inlow,” Mary Jo said smiling. […]

Scott Fairley’s Legacy

Connecting communities and building bridges Embarking on a journey with her classmates through the bustling heart of Portland, EOU student and Pendleton, Oregon native Addison Bonzani experienced the rush of city life for the first time. But getting here was not a simple process. Two powerful forces conspired to make her adventure possible: the Urban-Rural […]

EOU Brings Mental Health Training to Rural Oregon and Beyond

In the wide open landscapes of Oregon, where rural communities grapple with an ongoing scarcity of mental health providers, Eastern Oregon University (EOU) has emerged as a new and innovative partner. With a mission to address the pressing need for mental health professionals, especially in remote areas, EOU launched its Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) […]

Paving The Way For Bright Futures

EOU donors make record-breaking $880,000 in scholarships possible At Eastern Oregon University, we’re on a mission to provide quality education and transform the lives of our students who face financial challenges. Thirty-four percent of EOU students come from low-income families, and 38% are first-generation college students striving to break the cycle of limited opportunities. In […]

Message from the President

Dear Friends of Eastern Oregon University, As we embark on another academic year, I continue to be filled with excitement and anticipation since stepping into my role as President of Eastern Oregon University just a few short months ago. It is with immense pleasurethat I express my heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support and commitment […]

In Memoriam

Honoring those who made lasting impacts on EOU Howard Bailey, Professor Emeritus Dr. Bailey was born Nov. 5, 1925 in Iowa and after a life of activities and accomplishments, passed away in Island City on Oct. 15, 2021. Dr. Bailey served in the U.S. Army from 1944-46. He later earned his doctorate of mathematics and […]

An Ambassador for Change

How an EOU education instilled a sense of belonging and inspired social consciousness Doctor Abio Ayeliya, ’08, was selected by the EOU Alumni Association as the 2022 Distinguished Alumni for his work helping others and he continues to affect change years after his graduation from Eastern Oregon University. The young man, who once went to […]

The Ripple Effect of a Musical Legacy

Only recently has Duane Boyer started thinking about his legacy after five decades in the classroom. After graduating from Eastern Oregon College cum laude in 1969 the Eastern Oregon University guitar and banjo instructor was hired in 1973 to teach music. Eastern Oregon State College would not change its name until 1997 when it became […]

Far From Home

Two EOU alumni, each with their own stories, found themselves teaching at the same school system in the remote Alaskan Bush Conrad Woodhead, a 2002 EOU alum, was looking for a one-of-a-kind experience and found it in remote Alaska. “I was in this village, a remote whaling community with a totally subsisting lifestyle. You can […]

Discovering History, From Wallowa to Croatia

Bright lights and pristine workstations line the room, ready for action. Deep in the basement of EOU’s Ackerman Hall, the former elementary school, is the brand-new anthropology classroom and lab. A space designed for students to really own, while they explore the worlds, techniques, and processes of anthropology and archaeology. In the corner, stacked nearly […]

Resilience in Rural Communities

EOU faculty and students empower local communities through insights You’ve probably heard reference to the “REV” Center before. Or at least know EOU has a REV Center. The Rural Engagement & Vitality – or REV – Center is a joint venture between Eastern Oregon University and Wallowa Resources with the goal and intent of serving […]

The Value of Education

7,000 miles to EOU For Eastern Oregon University freshman Mohtarama “Mary” Qazizada, education is a birthright. Mary is passionate about a woman’s right to education, but more importantly she believes learning is the key to changing the world for the better. Mary was born and raised in Afghanistan and is deeply saddened as she watches […]

Teaching Rural 

Heart and journey, from teacher to student It’s not just what you learn within the four walls of a classroom; it’s the hands-on experiences you never thought you’d have out of the classroom which makes the difference. EOU’s Teach Rural Oregon is a rare gem in the space of higher education and is the umbrella […]

Message From the Alumni President

To my fellow alumni and friends of Eastern Oregon University, It gives me great pleasure to introduce this issue of the Mountaineer Magazine. As a 2006 and 2008 alumna of Eastern Oregon University and the current President of the EOU Alumni Association, I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with and for the Alumni […]

Mounties, Alumni, and Friends show their support for EOU

“Maya and I support the EOU foundation because we know how important the success of the university and its students are to our local communities. As alumni, EOU has had a huge impact on both of our lives and we feel an obligation to pay it forward to help current and future students develop and […]

Building New Memories

From snow to sunburn, the EOU Men’s Baseball season plays through any and all weather conditions.  From early mornings to late evenings for both practice and games, the team sees it all.  Except the backdrop of the EOU campus.  “I love being part of a baseball program being built from the ground up.  It’s taken […]

Getting your hands dirty

Experience at your fingertips Her face lit up as she talked about the projects and possibilities this new school year brings, as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Agriculture-Entrepreneurship program.  Eva Martin, a sophomore from Ione, Oregon, expressed her passion for community outreach.  “I grew up in FFA [Future Farmers of America]; I […]