SOU In the News: Oct. 25 – 31

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Daily Tidings – Count Me In Campaign Raises $210,000: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20141024/NEWS/141029889/0/SEARCH
Salem Statesman Journal – Was it Worth 20 Months and $20,000? (Editorial on MiM program): https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/opinion/columnists/dick-hughes/2014/10/26/management-program-sou-worth-months/17942571/
The Siskiyou – Meet Your President: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2014/10/27/meet-your-president/
Daily Tidings – Senator Merkley Brings Campaign to SOU: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20141029/NEWS/141029830/0/SEARCH
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Orie Melvin’s Apology Called a Non-Apology (Dr. Edwin Battistella featured): https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2014/10/28/Orie-Melvin-asks-Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court-to-permit-her-to-end-appeal/stories/201410280155

SOU CORE Program Receives Grant

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October 31, 2014
(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University is pleased to announce that CORE, the University’s Collegiate Recovery Program has been awarded a $2,500 grant to assist students in recovery from substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors.
The grant was awarded through Transforming Youth Recovery, a nonprofit organization founded in 2013.
The grant will provide Southern Oregon University with mid-stage funding to engage in a capacity building approach aimed at building the relationships necessary to better meet the needs of students in recovery on campus.
The grant also will support the creation of an online map of community recovery assets intended to facilitate a nation-wide network of resource sharing and collaboration among collegiate recovery practitioners, students and community members.
“We are excited to partner with Transforming Youth Recovery in expanding and strengthening the network of resources for recovering students,” said CORE director Victor Chang. “CORE enhances recovering students’ academic success and personal well-being as well as their recovery from addiction. Connecting members of the SOU community to available resources and one another goes a long way to enhancing recovery.”
In undertaking this project, the ultimate goal is to maintain a sustainable collegiate recovery program on campus that provides a safe, supportive, and fun environment for students in recovery from substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors.
To find out more information about CORE or to get involved, contact Victor Chang at (541) 552-6813 or changv@sou.edu or visit www.sou.edu/core.

SOU In the News: Oct. 18 – 24

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Mail Tribune – SOU Interim President Leads in a Different Path (Editorial): https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141020/NEWS/141029962/101077/BIZ
Mail Tribune – Free Speech Follow Up: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141021/NEWS/141029945
Justmeans.com – Climate Neutral Business Network and Bonneville Environmental Foundation Announce Innovative Greenhouse Gas Reductions Among 11 US College and Universities: https://www.justmeans.com/press-release/climate-neutral-business-network-and-bonneville-environmental-foundation-announce
30 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting: https://www.accounting-degree.org/most-affordable-online-bachelors-degrees-in-accounting/
Mail Tribune – SOU’s ‘Free Speech Zone’ Constitutionally Questionable (Editorial): https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141024/OPINION/141029824/101085/rss47
KTVL – SOU Sustainability Program Getting National Attention: https://www.ktvl.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/ktvl_vid_14411.shtml

SOU's 'Count Me In' Campaign a Success

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October 24, 2014
(Ashland, Ore.) — The Southern Oregon University Foundation’s ‘Count Me In’ campaign for student scholarships was a great success, raising more than $210,000 for the SOU Scholarship. More than 400 alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members participated in the 100-hour campaign.
“The Count Me In campaign really brought the community together in support of SOU students,” said Eric Baird, Executive Director of the SOU Foundation. “Community partners Radio Medford, Jefferson Public Radio, KOBI 5, the SOU Digital Media Center, and Southwick Specialty Advertising helped the campaign become a reality.”
The SOU Scholarship is awarded to students based on financial need with preference given to those who are first in their families to attend college. It is designed to help students bridge the funding gap between other forms of financial aid and the cost of attendance at Southern Oregon University.
“Thanks to the inspirational gifts from Jed and Celia Meese, Lithia Motors, an anonymous donor and the rest of the more than 400 individuals who contributed, we collectively raised scholarship funds that will inspire and change the lives of many students,” Baird said. “We are very thankful for the support and look forward to awarding the SOU Scholarship.”

SOU In the News: Oct. 11 – 17

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Portland Business Journal (Sustainable Business Oregon) – Green Campus Efforts Puts Oregon College in Line for a Coveted Honor: https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2014/10/green-campus-efforts-puts-oregon-college-in-line.html?ed=2014-10-14&ana=e_sbo&u=smOE3rOMMYS07coGkaY6FBoxuro&t=1413318502
Campus Reform – University Threatens Students Passing Out US Constitution: https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=5970
Mail Tribune – SOU Free Speech Issue Makes Headlines: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141016/NEWS/141019704/101036/NEWS
KTVL – Free Speech Issue: https://www.ktvl.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/ktvl_free-speech-zone-at-sou-14353.shtml
KDRV – Free Speech Issue: https://www.kdrv.com/sou-students-make-free-speech-demands/
KOBI – Free Speech Issue: https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/item/group-of-sou-students-looking-to-change-free-speech-policy.html?category_id=3#.VEGLOS_0QaA
KOBI – Free Speech Issue: https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/item/sou-releases-statement-concerning-free-speech-on-campus.html?category_id=3#.VEGLXy_0QaA
Daily Tidings – SOU Foundation Kicks Off Ambitious ‘Count Me In’ Fundraising Campaign: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20141016/NEWS/141019881/0/SEARCH
Mail Tribune – 100 Hours and Counting: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141017/NEWS/141019657/101064/NEWS

Four Honored at SOU President's Dinner

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October 15, 2014
(Ashland, Ore.) — Four alumni of Southern Oregon University were honored during the fifth annual President’s Dinner Oct. 15 at the Inn at the Commons in Medford.
In addition to being a venue for recognizing outstanding alumni, this year’s President’s Dinner also launched the SOU Foundation’s “Count Me In” campaign to raise funds for student scholarships. Through the campaign, which will last only 100 hours, the Foundation hopes at least 500 individuals will make contributions of any amount to the Supporting Opportunities for Undergraduates (SOU) Scholarship fund.
“There is great need for scholarships for our undergraduate students,” said interim SOU President Dr. Roy Saigo. “Approximately 84 percent of our students require some form of financial aid, and more than 60 percent of our students from within Oregon are the first in their families to go to college.”
The campaign can be followed on social media by using the hashtag #SOUCountMeIn, or at countmein.sou.edu
Bryan DeBoer was honored as Distinguished Alumni of the Year. DeBoer graduated summa cum laude from SOU in 1988. He joined Lithia Motors, where he has worked in various corporate capacities, including mergers, acquisitions, and operations. In 2006 DeBoer was named Chief Operations Officer, then in 2012 Chief Executive Officer and President of Lithia Motors Inc., a position he still holds today.
Other honorees included Nicholas Grant, Beth Heckert, and Dr. Michael Parker, who received the Young Alumni, Alumni Service, and Excellence in Education Awards, respectively.
Musical entertainment throughout the dinner was provided by SOU student Nic Temple, the SOU Graduate Percussion Group, and the SOU Jazz Collective.

SOU Named Finalist for Campus Sustainability Award

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October 13, 2014
(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University is pleased to announce that it has been named a finalist for the Campus Sustainability Case Study Award, given annually by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
SOU is being considered for the award for its project, “Creating a Living and Learning Laboratory for Applied Sustainability and Campus Farm Through Collaboration and Student Engagement.”
According to SOU’s sustainability and recycling coordinator, Roxane Beigel-Coryell, the project is a collaborative effort between the campus and local community. “The SOU Center for Sustainability serves as a community resource for sustainability education,” she said. “It fosters sustainable business development, promotes interconnectedness, and facilitates leadership training through thoughtful learning and practice. We are extremely proud to be considered for this award among a very strong group of finalists.”
In addition to being a finalist for the Campus Sustainability Case Study Award, SOU will also serve as a host sponsor for AASHE’s 2014 Conference and Expo, taking place in Portland Oct. 26-29.
Themed “Innovation for Sustainable Economies and Communities, the AASHE annual conference is one of the most powerful forums for empowering higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. With nearly 2,000 participants, AASHE conferences are the largest stage in North America for higher education sustainability thought leadership. This year’s theme provides a multi-day conference that will focus on topics ranging from sustainable curriculums to waste elimination and everything in between.
“We are thrilled to bring exciting keynote addresses, including our featured keynote speaker, Annie Leonard, Greenpeace USA Executive Director and “Story of Stuff” creator to the annual Conference and Expo. Attendees can expect high-quality workshops, sustainability tours, the Student Summit, and more,” said Stephanie A. Herrera, Executive Director at AASHE. “Portland is the perfect location for the annual Conference and Expo. With an abundance of thought-provoking sessions as well as scenic bike routes, breathtaking scenery and more, we are confident that everyone will leave the conference feeling invigorated and ready to increase sustainability efforts.”
In addition to the featured keynote speaker, Annie Leonard, attendees can look forward to hearing Marcelo Bonta, founder of the Environmental Professionals of Color and the Center for Diversity & the Environment and Rob Bennett, founder and CEO of EcoDistricts.
SOU joins Edmonds Community College, Lane Community College, Lewis and Clark College, Pacific Lutheran University, Portland Community College, Portland State University, Seattle Colleges and University of Washington as campus hosts of the AASHE 2014 Conference and Expo.

SOU In the News: Oct. 4 – 10

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PR Newswire – SOU Online Education Program Ranked No. 3 Nationally: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nonprofit-colleges-online-releases-ranking-of-online-bachelors-programs-in-education-putting-students-before-profits-278358291.html
Non-Profit Colleges Online – Best Online Bachelor’s in Education: https://www.nonprofitcollegesonline.com/rankings/best-online-bachelors-in-education/
Daily Tidings – Letter to the Editor in Support of “SOU Loves Ashland”: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20141009/OPINION/141009884
The Oregonian – SOU Professor Joins State Advisory Committee: https://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/10/sou_professor_mark_tveskov_joi.html
Klamath Falls Herald and News – KCC, SOU Partnership a Possibility: https://www.heraldandnews.com/email_blast/kcc-sou-partnership-a-possibility/article_132bac36-5116-11e4-945c-ab8229496e07.html
Daily Tidings – Ada Lovelace Day Event at SOU: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20141012/NEWS/141019965/0/SEARCH

SOU Early Childhood Development Program Ranked No. 3 in Nation

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October 9, 2014
(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University’s Early Childhood Development program has been ranked No. 3 in the nation for affordability among online bachelor’s degree programs in Education, according to Nonprofit Colleges Online, which released its Students Before Profits Award Oct. 7.
According to a press release from Nonprofit Colleges Online, the Students Before Profits Award was created “to highlight nonprofit colleges and universities that offer quality online programs of study at an affordable price.”
“Online bachelor’s programs in education are relatively rare, and for-profit schools tend to dominate in terms of marketing,” said Brett Gershon, lead editor for the ranking. “We hope this award will draw attention to some of the lesser known, but high-quality and affordable nonprofit options available to prospective education students.”
SOU’s Early Childhood Development program is designed to be a degree completion program, meaning most students complete their general education and approved prerequisite courses at their local community college or online, then transfer to SOU to complete the degree online.
“This flexible schedule is in direct response to the need for this degree by professionals already working in the field of early childhood education,” according to Dr. Steven Thorpe, Interim Dean of SOU’s Division of Education, Health, and Leadership (DEHL). “We are extremely pleased with this ranking and proud of the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff working in the program.”
SOU is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The Early Childhood Development program is nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
More information on the Early Childhood Development program is available online at www.sou.edu/education.

Ada Lovelace Day Celebration

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October 9, 2014
(Ashland, Ore.) — When historian Victoria Law was a young computer programmer in 1984, she felt very comfortable working in a profession where close to half of the employees were women. She didn’t realize at the time that she was working at the peak of women’s inclusion in the high-tech industry.
In 1984, more than 37 percent of computer science undergraduates were women. Today that number is less than 13 percent. In 2009, leaders in science and technology fields set about to make some changes. Out of this movement came the first Ada Lovelace Day.
Ada Lovelace Day was founded by Suw Charman-Anderson in London and aims to raise the profile of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by encouraging people around the world to talk about the women whose work they admire. This international day of celebration helps people learn about the achievements of women in STEM fields, inspiring others and creating new role models.
Ada Lovelace, born in 1815, was the daughter of English poet Lord Byron and was a mathematician and writer. She has long been considered the world’s first computer programmer and wrote the first computer algorithm in 1843 for Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose computer.
Southern Oregon University will host the first Ada Lovelace Day celebration in Ashland on Oct. 14. It will take place in the Meese Room inside Hannon Library from 7-9 p.m. The celebration will include a brief presentation by Law on the life of Lovelace and her role as the world’s “first computer programmer.” This will be followed by a panel discussion on increasing diversity in the STEM fields. Priscilla Oppenheimer, a local software and network designer, will lead the panel, which is composed of business and academic leaders in science and technology.
Oppenheimer is an educator and author with ties to Silicon Valley where she worked at Apple Inc. and Cisco Systems. The panel includes science professors, IT managers, and entrepreneurs from SOU, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Sustainable Valley Technology Group. “This presentation about Ada Lovelace and diversity should attract anyone interested in history, science, math, Lord Byron, or innovation,” Oppenheimer said. “The presentation isn’t just for women. Everyone should come and enjoy the first Ada Lovelace Day event in Ashland.”
The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.