Springtime . . . and Salem Again

May 13th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

the statehouse in salem

This is the amazing time of year when the campus is packed with activities but the legislature is also very busy. On Friday (May 10), Liz Shelby and I were in the Capitol with three students—Cory Jewell, Jeffrey Hayes, and Daniel Breaux—who testified on behalf of SOU’s capital projects: the Theatre Arts renovation and expansion and the McNeal renovation/Student Recreation Center.

Salem Trip with students

It was a long trip for just a few minutes before the Ways and Means Committee reviewing Oregon University System capital projects. Our students did an impressive job and made a wonderfully positive impression on our legislators.

Last week, also, we surprised our campus locksmith Doug Litwiller with a t-shirt and celebration honoring his excellent work for SOU.

doug and craig

And this week we experience our sixth annual SOAR. It will be a fabulous celebration of the great work we do at SOU. Please join us!

SOAR-Logo-BLK-BLU

From Ashland to the Arctic

April 19th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

Geoff Mills with poster

Yesterday (April 18), we celebrated our Spring 2013 Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Geoff Mills. Geoff, who came to SOU in 1988 and has served as Dean and also Professor of Education, has worked over the years with students at the University of Greenland.

Geoff Mills SpeakingSpeaking to a crowd in the Meese Room, Geoff focused on aspects of teaching, learning, and research in the isolated world of Greenland. We learned about students who speak English as a third language, about teachers struggling to keep students in school when they live in thinly populated areas accessible only by sea or by air. We learned a little about a diet that still relies on fish, seal, and reindeer and a culture that still struggles with its history of being a Danish colony. We saw beautiful photos of glaciers and ice floes.

We all learned a lot. And maybe some of us now have a trip to Greenland on our “bucket list.”

All photos RBalzer.

Geoff Mills

Dr. Geoff Mills with Dr. Frank Darnell, Emeritus Professor, University of Alaska (Fairbanks)

A Watershed Moment

April 9th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

Shawn Franks, Mary Cullinan, Todd, Chrysten Lambert

Shaun Franks, Mary Cullinan, Todd Reve of Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Chrysten Lambert of Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust

At a small but enthusiastic gathering in front of the Stevenson Union this morning (April 9), we celebrated a significant initiative developed in partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Supported by student “green fees”, the initiative will restore the equivalent of all water used on campus to a creek in the Klamath River Basin that has been critically damaged by years of irrigation. It will restore approximately 80 million gallons to the creek for five years.

I spoke briefly to the crowd, as did Todd Reeve, CEO of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and Shaun Franks, one of the student leaders who helped spearhead the project.

Water offset rally with Bonneville Energy Foundation

Water offset rally with Bonneville Energy Foundation

Todd Reve from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation

Water offset rally with Bonneville Energy Foundation

Shaun Franks speaking with TV reporter at the event.

This initiative is the first of its kind on any campus in the U.S. It aligns with our commitment to sustainable practices and projects, which include our Higher Education Center in Medford, the first LEED platinum building in the Rogue Valley and numerous green projects from recycling to our maintenance practices.

Because of our students’ powerful commitment and the university strong environmental values, the EPA regularly lists SOU as a top green campus.

Spring in Salem

March 25th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

Salem crew

I spent much of last week (March 19-22) in Salem and return there again this week (so much for Spring Break!). The time last week was well spent. I was particularly happy to see the tuition equity bill pass in the Senate; it will now move on to the governor’s desk.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the presidents of OIT, EOU, and WOU and I met with several legislators, as did Provost Klein. Jim Klein and I also participated in southern Oregon’s Chamber of Commerce day at the Capitol with representatives from Medford, Grants Pass, and Klamath Falls.

On Thursday, I testified on the value of a liberal arts education (and the value of SOU) before the Ways and Means Education subcommittee. On Friday, I testified briefly on academic program approval processes before the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee.

This week, the Ways and Means Education subcommittee has asked for public testimony regarding support for higher education. We have arranged for three highly successful SOU alumni to testify: Gene Pelham from Rogue Federal Credit Union, Steve Vincent from Avista, and Mike Beagle from our own Alumni office.

On another note: I was delighted recently to join my cabinet in providing surprise thank you’s and t-shirts to Gary Miller and Colin Bunnell for their hard work and contributions to SOU.

Gary Miller was caught...

Gary Miller was caught…

As was Colin Bunnell.

As was Colin Bunnell.

 

¡Si, Se Puede!

March 18th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

Cesar Chavez

On Friday (March 15) we hosted the second annual César E. Chávez Leadership Conference on campus. Nearly two hundred Latino/Latina students attended from high schools all over the Rogue Valley.

The day on campus opened with breakfast and welcomes. A nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, Fabian Ramirez from Dallas, Texas, captured the students’ attention with humor and a serious message about ways to prevent bullying and create healthy environments on school and college campuses.

chavezWith the help of SOU student leaders, the visiting students broke into groups to attend sessions on a wide range of topics—from charting a future educational and career path to balancing school and life skills.

Many SOU students, faculty, and staff, as well as to volunteers from off campus, helped to make this an exciting and powerful day for students. Special thanks to the many SOU folks who planned and organized the extraordinary event, including Jon Chavez Baez, Alma Rosa Alvarez, Marvin Woodard, Marjorie Trueblood-Gamble, Connie Lynn, and Carol Jensen.

Our Performing Artists

March 14th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

Invisible Threads @ SOU

This has been an exciting week for SOU performing arts. I was delighted to attend both a wonderful play and a sensational concert.

On Saturday evening (March 9) I saw one of the last winter term performances of Invisible Threads on our Center Stage Theatre. Written and directed by our own David McCandless, Invisible Threads brings together comedy and drama with a dash of magical realism. The students’ performances were strong all round. It was an uplifting, and definitely magical, evening.

applebaumOn Tuesday evening, I headed to the Music Recital Hall for a performance of our SOU Percussion Ensembles, directed by Terry Longshore. The concert featured the music of visiting artist Mark Applebaum. If you’ve ever heard the SOU Percussion Ensembles, you know that they push the limits of music with an astonishing assortment of what the program calls “percussive experiences.” With Mark Applebaum’s pieces, Monday’s event pushed musical boundaries even further than usual—creating experiences that were mystical, meditative, funny, complex, jazzy—and altogether awesome.

Our days go by in such a blur. We all need to take time to watch our student performing artists. They delight our spirits and enrich our lives.

Bringing Women Together

March 6th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

conf-photo
womens-leadershipLast Friday (March 1), several hundred women (and a few men) gathered for a Women’s Leadership Conference. Coordinated by Jeanne Stallman and leaders from SOU and our local communities, the conference participants included women from business, government, non-profits, and other areas as well as a strong representation of SOU students and faculty.

Conference panorama

Photo: Katie Shepard

The conference focused on leadership in a changing and volatile environment. Keynote speakers included SOU alumna Barbara Tyler, who moved from a career in education to become the #1 real estate agent internationally with Coldwell Banker, and Kay Hong, who specializes in corporate turnarounds and restructuring. She served as interim CEO of Harry & David and is currently serving in a similar role for Talbot’s, Inc.

Photo: Katie Shepard

Photo: Katie Shepard

The quality of the presentations and panels was impressive. However, for me, it was inspiring to see the wide variety of talent and experience in this valley. From heading up La Clinica to managing REI, from leading banks to creating successful new businesses—the talented women participating in the conference contribute significantly to our economy and quality of life in our region.

Putting on an event like this takes time, energy, and creativity. Kudos to Jeanne and everyone who helped make it happen.

It’s March Already!

March 4th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

Greg Jones

As Winter Term races forward, our days and evenings are packed with activities.

On Wednesday (February 26), Dr. Greg Jones presented our Distinguished Lecture for Winter 2013. Addressing a fully engaged crowd in the Meese Room, Greg spoke with us about climate, grapes, and wine. While helping us understand what terroir really means, he tested our ability to identify vineyards around the world.

On Friday night, the Calder String Quartet brought old and new music together for a lovely Chamber Music Concert.

wrestling

Click for the full story

And the past weeks have been busy with athletic successes. Four Raider wrestlers earned individual titles, five others earned All-American honors, and our team finished as the national runner-up while competing in Des Moines. Head coach Mike Ritchie was named NAIA Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.

Meanwhile, in Ohio this weekend, our top-ranked distance medley relay squad set a new NAIA record while claiming the event title at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships. Their time broke the previous NAIA record by more than two seconds.

medley-team-awards

Click for the full story

And while our women’s basketball team ended their strong season with a loss to EOU, our men’s team will take on Madonna in a first round matchup at the 2013 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Championships this coming Wednesday in Kansas City.

In the midst of so many things going on, many folks all over campus have been working non-stop to transform SOU. In the last two weeks, my Cabinet celebrated two people who are working especially hard in areas undergoing change: Desiree Young in the Budget Office and Taylor Burke in Student Affairs.

Desiree Young

Desiree Young

Taylor Burke

Taylor Burke

Kudos to them and to the many faculty, staff, and students who contribute to our powerful academic community here at SOU.

What a Weekend

February 25th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

snow-mountain-blog

Tears and laughter came together this weekend (February 23-24) as women’s and men’s basketball games unfolded in the semifinals. Both games were in La Grande against the EOU Mountaineers.

Jeff Bush led SOU with 20 points and eight assists while connecting on six of his eight shot attempts

Photo: RWBalzer – Click for the full story at the Raiders website.

Friday night ended with a difficult loss for the Raiders women’s team (83-55). Their season concluded with a 22-10 record. However, we saw some wonderful playing during the season, including a memorable heart-stopper win against OIT earlier this month.

snowy-mountain

Saturday night brought a huge win for the Raiders men’s basketball team. Ranked 18th in the nation, they clearly dominated the third-ranked Mountaineers throughout the game and won 89-71. They’ll play Warner Pacific on Tuesday night.

After all that excitement, it was lovely to head up to the snow on Sunday and enjoy an absolutely perfect day of snowshoeing. The temperatures were in the 40’s, the snow looked like whipped cream, and the mountains glimmered in the sun. Perfect!

In Salem and Ashland

February 11th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

the statehouse in salem

The Capitol Building in Salem

Last week (February 6-7) I made my first trip to Salem this year for the first week of the legislative session. Every legislator I spoke with was positive about SOU and our priorities for the session. I remain hopeful that our $11M Theatre renovation project, which is included in the Governor’s Recommended Budget, will go forward this session, that Sports Lottery funding will be restored, and that the allocation for Oregon’s public universities will begin to build back funding that was cut in former years.

In Salem, also, I attended a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development. They were discussing SB 270, which will enable creation of institutional boards for the larger public universities in Oregon. Representatives testified from OUS, SEIU, and OSA.

I was back on campus for a busy weekend. On Friday I saw the wonderful Schubert Ensemble of London perform in our Music Recital Hall.

lofstedt pins opponent

Photo by RWBalzer

On Saturday I attended a students’ ball put on by the Residence Hall Association. The Britt Ballroom was packed with students dressed for a Tinseltown theme. (It was great to see the Britt Ballroom being used for ballroom activities once again!)  That same night, I was sorry to miss our #2 ranked wrestling team close out the regular season with a 41-6 rout of Pacific. They head to Great Falls, Montana, this week for the NAIA Regional Qualifying Tournament.

This week we get ready to welcome prospective students and their families for Preview Weekend. We have lots of great things to share with them!

Another Busy Week

February 4th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

The Southern Oregon Digital Media Center

As I jogged across campus this weekend, I saw buses and cars everywhere–and young people carrying instruments.

We were hosting the 2013 SOU Honors Band with over a hundred students from nineteen high schools on our campus. We were honored also to have Jeff Gershman as guest conductor from Indiana University.

That was the end of an extraordinarily busy week. On Wednesday, we launched the Digital Media Center, and on Thursday we hosted a campus theme event as Dr. Bill Hughes talked about “Politics: It’s a Happiness Thing. You Wouldn’t Understand.”

On Friday, we brought together sixty students, faculty, and staff to the Hannon Library for a half-day retreat that focused on our change initiatives and brainstorming for the future.

On Saturday we hosted two extraordinary basketball games against Oregon Tech. The Bob Riehm Arena was packed to capacity with almost 1,400 fans of both teams. The women’s game was unbelievably tense, neck and neck all the way to the last few seconds when Melissa Sweat scored a three-pointer and forced the game into overtime. Then she scored SOU’s final five points in overtime to lead us to an 82-80 victory. All athletic photos by RW Balzer.

rp_primary2_Sweat_0202

The men’s game was fast-paced but less tense as our team established its strengths right from the beginning and ending up winning 72-53. The men’s sweep of the regular season series against OIT was an historic victory for SOU.

rp_primary2_Tedder_0202

Meanwhile, in San Francisco, our wrestlers were highly successful on Saturday at the California Collegiate Open hosted by San Francisco State. Our second-ranked team finished with one champion and three top-four placers. SOU’s Mitchell Lofstedt claimed the title with a 3:48 pin of an NCAA Division I opponent.

rp_primary_Lofstedt_1213

It was definitely a busy week—and a successful one!

Rename. Revamp. Recharge.

January 31st, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

On Wednesday evening (January 30), an enthusiastic crowd from on and off campus packed into an RVTV studio to celebrate the launch of our Digital Media Center.

The DMC showcases SOU’s commitment to partnership and teamwork. Providing opportunity and resources for students, faculty staff, and community members to work together, the DMC is a vibrant state-of-the-art space for convergent media, cinema studies, scholarly research, interdisciplinary teaching, and public engagement.

Sue Walsh, Erik Palmer, Bobby Arellano, Sandra Slattery, Jeff Richmond, and others presented a brief program. Attendees had an opportunity to tour the renovated facility and view video, including Team of Firsts, a student-created documentary chronicling our 2012 football season.

Kudos to Sue and Erik—and everyone who put this celebration together!

Celebrating Martin Luther King

January 23rd, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

MLK Celebration 2013. Al Case Photo.

MLK Celebration 2013. Al Case Photo.

Every year Ashland puts on a huge party for Martin Luther King’s birthday. With emcee D.L. Richardson and organizers, performers, and participants from SOU, OSF, the Ashland Chamber, schools, and community groups, the event packs the Historic Ashland Armory. This year the event celebrated also the second inauguration of President Obama.

While the event is a celebration, it’s also heartbreaking and poignant as it reviews some of the most painful pieces of our country’s history. People cry and laugh, clap and sing—and come together as a community.

It’s a grand event.

Al Case Photo

MLK Celebration 2013. Photo by Al Case.

MLK Celebration 2013. Photo by Al Case

MLK Celebration 2013. Photo by Al Case

News coverage of the event

ABC News

http://www.kdrv.com/mlk-jr-day-celebrated-in-ashland/

The Siskiyou (SOU newspaper)

http://siskiyou.sou.edu/2013/01/22/mlk-celebration-at-armory-a-hit-over-300-in-attendance/

NBC News

http://www.kobi5.com/news/local-news/item/community-comes-together-to-celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-day-2.html

Ashland Daily Tidings/Medford Mail Tribune

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

Events planned throughout Monday celebrating life of slain civil rights leader

By Laurie Heuston

http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130119/NEWS02/301190303/-1/NEWSMAP

‘It’s not a black holiday; it’s a people’s holiday’:   Ashland celebrates 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. event.   By John Darling

http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130122/NEWS02/301220305

So many sacrifices:   Five hundred at SOU celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.  by John Darling

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130122/NEWS/301220325

 

Living the ‘Dream’?:  Prominent black members of the Rogue Valley say that while equality in America has improved, the scourge of racism lives on.  By Bill Varble

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20130121%2FNEWS%2F301210312

 

Video of whole show

http://vimeo.com/57899382

 

Photos from Graham Lewis

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashland_chamber/sets/72157632579696567/

 

City proclamation

http://www.ashland.or.us/Files/PROC%20MLK%20Day%202013.pdf

 

Photos from Al Case

http://traveljapanblog.com/ashland/tag/ashland-martin-luther-king-jr-holiday-celebration/

 

Mail tribune Photos

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=MM&Date=20130121&Category=MEDIA01&ArtNo=121009999&Ref=PH&Presentation=desktop#img-5

 

Henan Province Comes to SOU

January 15th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

Performances brought to us by the Cultural Department of Henan Province, China

Performances brought to us by the Cultural Department of Henan Province, China. Photo Al Case.

On Monday evening (January 14), the line of folks waiting to enter the Music Recital Hall poured out onto the steps and down to the sidewalk. People packed the hall. We brought in more chairs. The hall was overflowing.

The attraction? Performances brought to us by the Cultural Department of Henan Province, China. The evening included beautiful presentations of ancient Chinese music and dancing by the Huaxia Orchestra of the Henan Museum as well as demonstrations of Chinese Kung Fu by the Monks of the Shaolin Temple.

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Photos by Graham Lewis, Ashland Chamber

The event came together with the assistance of SOU’s Office of International Programs and Performing Arts as well as support from the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association, the Ashland Chamber of Congress, the Jerry and Jeanne Taylor Foundation, and others.

SOU has collaborated in various ways with Henan Province for the past thirteen years. I was delighted that, as part of the celebration of Chinese New Year, we could showcase some of Henan’s cultural treasures with our community.

Performances brought to us by the Cultural Department of Henan Province, China

Performances brought to us by the Cultural Department of Henan Province, China. Photo Al Case.

Performances brought to us by the Cultural Department of Henan Province, China

Performances brought to us by the Cultural Department of Henan Province, China. Photo Al Case.

 

We Are Here

January 7th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink

SOU’s Hannon Library brings together the traditional elements of a university library and the hi-tech components of a 21st century hub for teaching and learning. Under the direction of Library Dean Paul Adalian, the library has also become a center for arts and for our community.

Now the Hannon Library is home to the immense (19-foot tall) “We Are Here” statue honoring Rogue Valley tribes and local Takelma elder, Agnes Baker Pilgrim (who is also an SOU alumna).

Moving the statue was a huge operation involving a truck, forklifts, and many helping hands. Last week concrete was being poured.

When you walk into the library, take a right and walk toward the far west wall. You will find the remarkable carved tree in its permanent home. You will also find a beautiful example of today’s multifaceted university library: amid books and computers, there’s an awe-inspiring testament to our complex local history, our community, and the elements of our natural world.

Video is available at the Ashland Daily Tidings, and our slideshow is below.

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