Study-away trip to Bosnia

CCJ 389E: Spring break trip to Bosnia

/in

A small group of students from SOU embarked on a recent transatlantic journey to explore Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia as part of their Criminology and Criminal Justice study away class CCJ 389E: War, Genocide, Peace & Reconciliation (open to ALL MAJORS). The fall term 2023 class concluded with the eight-day study abroad component during spring break 2024.

Throughout the fall term, students in the class immersed themselves in the rich history of the region, including its significant roles in WWI, WWII and the Bosnian war of the 1990s, delving into topics of war crimes, genocide and the region’s efforts toward healing and reconciliation. This groundwork set the stage for the experiential part of the class: the journey to Bosnia.

The group traveled together to Sarajevo, where they enjoyed a welcome dinner at an amazing traditional Bosnian restaurant in the old town. The next morning, they embarked on a walking tour of the city – the architecture a blend of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav influences. The city’s rich cultural tapestry is woven with mosques, synagogues and churches standing side-by-side, reflecting its diverse heritage. Despite its past conflicts, Sarajevo’s resilient spirit is reflected through the incredible warmth and hospitality of its people.

Following the city tour, participants in the trip were deeply moved by their visit to a museum depicting the harrowing impact of the Sarajevo siege on the city’s children. In a poignant display of solidarity, the museum also features artifacts from children currently residing in war-torn regions like Ukraine and Gaza. The SOU group’s exploration continued at Galerija 11-7-95, a photographic tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. Meeting with Tarik Samarah, the photographer and founder, was a humbling experience as those in the group learned about Samarah’s renowned exhibitions worldwide (such as the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C, UN Headquarters in New York, Galerie du jour in Paris, the Dutch Parliament in the Hague and London’s Westminster Abby and Tate Modern Gallery), reinforcing the importance of remembrance and fostering a future free from such atrocities.

The SOU contingent visited Srebrenica on day three. The Srebrenica genocide, occurring in July 1995, stands as one of the darkest chapters in European history since World War II. It saw the mass murder of over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces, despite the town being designated a UN safe area. The international community’s failure to prevent the atrocity highlighted the inadequacy of peacekeeping efforts during the Bosnian War.

The group’s final academic engagement in Sarajevo was a profound meeting with Dr. Hasan Nuhanović. Serving as an interpreter for the United Nations in Srebrenica during its fall to the Bosnian Serb Army, he tragically lost his entire family that day and has since dedicated himself to advocating for justice for the victims of Srebrenica. Dr. Nuhanović shared his deeply personal story with SOU students, and the group engaged in a meaningful dialogue, asking probing questions that he answered with honesty and introspection. This encounter left participants acutely aware of the enduring impact of war – as one student eloquently put it, “we only have to live it for a few days; they have to live it every day.”

Amidst the weighty academic aspects of the journey, the group found solace in the vibrant celebration of Ramadan across the country. In Sarajevo, the old town was adorned with strings of green lights, and each evening, a cannon fired a firework over the city at sundown to mark iftar and the end of the day’s fast. This signaled the bustling opening of cafes and restaurants, infusing the city with vitality, while the unwavering generosity and sense of humor among the people demonstrated their resilience in the face of adversity.

As their time in Sarajevo came to an end, the group journeyed to the enchanting city of Mostar before continuing on to Dubrovnik, Croatia, nestled along the stunning Adriatic coast. In Dubrovnik, they immersed themselves in the city’s rich history and then savored a leisurely day of shopping and soaking up the sunshine, culminating their week with relaxation and exploration.

While each student may have their own favorite moments from the trip, the overwhelming consensus is that it was truly incredible. As a faculty member, there’s nothing quite as fulfilling as guiding students on an overseas journey. Traveling with them facilitates transformative learning experiences, bridging the classroom with the real world and encourages students to step outside of their comfort zones. Witnessing their growth, curiosity and empathy throughout the journey has been truly remarkable. And as the legend goes, “Whoever drinks water from any of Sarajevo’s fountains and spouts will return to Sarajevo,” perhaps hinting at the magnetic allure of this captivating city.

Stayed tuned for next year’s CCJ 389A trip to London and Paris, focusing on historic prisons, contemporary court cases, and of course, Jack the Ripper!  For more information, please contact Dr. Alison Burke at burkea@sou.edu. All majors are welcome.

Chloe Fiveash awarded Goldwater Scholarship

SOU student receives prestigious scholarship

/in ,

(Ashland, Ore.) — Chloe Fiveash, a Southern Oregon University junior majoring in biochemistry, is one of 438 recipients nationwide of the 2024 Goldwater Scholarship – a prestigious U.S. award that recognizes the research work of undergraduates in math, science and engineering. Fiveash, a first-generation college student who experienced homelessness while in high school, is SOU’s first Goldwater Scholar since 2021 and second since 2007.

Goldwater Scholars each receive as much as $7,500 annually for tuition, fees and room-and-board, along with national recognition for their undergraduate research. Fiveash is also a McNair Scholar at SOU and receives federal Pell and Supplemental Education Opportunity grants, the Oregon Opportunity Grant and at least five other scholarships.

She completed a 2022 independent internship by researching the ability of the insecticide fipronil to be absorbed by field mustard, to determine if the plant can effectively reduce concentrations and toxic effects of fipronil. She is currently researching the ability of the mold Aspergillus niger to limit the toxicity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that is common in many foods.

“I feel incredibly honored to be recognized for my dedication to my research and education,” Fiveash said. “This opportunity will allow me to focus on the more impactful aspects of my current education such as my classes and research projects, and it will also open many doors for future financial endeavors to support my desire to go to graduate school.”

Fiveash has served as a volunteer caregiver at Mountain View Adult Foster Home, worked with SOU’s OSPIRG group to help with voter registration and volunteered to clean up the Antioch Cemetery. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, has made the Provost’s List of full-time students earning at least a 3.5 grade point average several times and is on track to graduate cum laude in June 2025

She is one of just four Oregon university students to be selected as Goldwater Scholars this year. A total of 1,353 science, engineering and mathematics students were nominated by 446 academic institutions to compete for the 2024 Goldwater Scholarships. The 438 scholarships awarded for 2024 brings the total number since 1989 to 10,720. Almost all of this year’s awardees – including Fiveash – intend to pursue doctorate degrees, with 57 of them planning research careers in mathematics and computer science, 237 in the sciences, 80 in medicine and 64 in engineering and materials research.

“I am so grateful for Chloe,” said Vincent Smith, director of SOU’s School of Science & Business. “Her hard work, determination and perseverance are inspirational.

“We face so many challenges as a planet,” Smith said. “I strongly believe that education still remains the greatest path toward equality, sustainability and vitality. SOU is appreciative of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation for their commitment to recognizing remarkable human potential.”

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is a federally endowed agency that was created in 1986. Its scholarship program “was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics,” according to its website. “The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields.”

The application process for the Goldwater Scholarships prompts students to demonstrate their commitment to research and tighten their focus on career goals – skills they will need when applying to graduate schools and for subsequent research scholarships. SOU undergraduates interested in learning more about the Goldwater Scholarship, eligibility criteria and how to apply may contact Melissa LaBonty, assistant professor of biology and the Goldwater Scholarship campus representative, at labontym@sou.edu.

-SOU-

Peter Angstadt to serve as interim VPFA

Interim VPFA: Peter Angstadt to fill the key role

/in

Peter Angstadt, Ph.D.,  has agreed to serve as Southern Oregon University’s interim Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA), beginning June 3. Angstadt, who retired in 2016 after serving 12 years as president of Rogue Community College, is currently an adjunct professor in SOU’s MBA Program.

“I am confident that Peter will hit the ground running to support our students, faculty and staff, and help us better connect to our community,” SOU President Rick Bailey said.

SOU recently conducted a nationwide search for the VPFA position, but was unable to identify a candidate who was a mutual fit. The university will reopen its search for a permanent VPFA later this year, and Angstadt is expected to serve in the interim role until the permanent vice president is hired and begins work.

Neil Woolf, SOU’s executive vice president, is currently filling SOU’s VPFA role on a temporary basis. Woolf has been hired to serve as president of New Mexico Highlands University beginning this summer.

Finance and Administration oversees a broad range of campus operations and works closely with the university president on policy and operational issues. The Finance and Administration Office oversees eight SOU departments: Business Services, Budget & Planning, Contracts and Risk Management, Human Resources, Facilities Management & Planning, Campus Public Safety, Information Technology, Sustainability and University Housing. Those departments are collectively known as the Business Affairs Council, which manages all non-academic business operations for the university.

Angstadt is chair of the Asante Board of Directors and has served on many other local, community boards. He worked closely with SOU leadership while president of RCC and has also served as president of Colorado Northwestern Community College, the chief financial officer and Dean of College Services at Oregon’s Clackamas Community College and for two terms (1990-98) as the full-time mayor of Pocatello, Idaho.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Colorado State University and two master’s degrees: an M.Ed. in higher education administration from CSU and an MBA from Idaho State University. He earned his doctorate in educational policy and management from the University of Oregon.

SOU Valorant Esports team has successful season

SOU Valorant Esports team completes successful season

/in ,

SOU’s Valorant Esports team recently completed its best year of competition by finishing its regular season with six wins and one loss and then making it to the semifinals of its post-season Nace Starleague Open + tournament. The SOU team won its quarterfinal match, 2-0, against Connecticut’s University of New Haven before losing in the semifinals, 2-1, to eventual tournament champion Carleton University of Minnesota.

The SOU team’s season extended through winter and spring terms.

Members of the SOU Esports team grew into a cohesive unit, bonded by their shared passion for Valorant – a team-based, first-person hero shooter video game set in the near future. Valorant is among the most popular games played by Esports teams, with characters based on various countries or cultures, and players assigned to either the attacking or defending five-person teams.

The SOU team was led by Hunter Miller and Bruno Weston, and also included fellow students William Doctor, Elliot Glenn, Ezra Fader, Angelo Padavana, Kyle Richardson, Spencer Miller and Ryan O’Pecko.

“I’ve always had a passion for competing in Esports and I’m glad that SOU has a place where I can do that,” Weston said. “The season as a whole was unbelievable, this team showcased that a team doesn’t need to have the best of the best, as long as the team chemistry is on point.”

Many of the players had never before experienced the intensity of competitive Esports tournaments, but adapted as their season progressed. Team members found their places within the team, and came to understand their roles and team strategies.

“I am a long-time gamer, but I am new to the competitive (first-person shooter) scene,” Glenn said. “Learning about the game and strategy alongside the high-ranking players of our team has been a great learning experience, but the best part has been the chemistry between our players. Every practice was fun and informative, and every tournament carried an energy that no one could deny.”

SOU is among the first institutions on the West Coast to offer both an academic program and a competitive team in Esports – a billion-dollar global enterprise. The university’s academic minor in esports management is one of just a handful that are offered nationally and its combination of programs positions students for future employment in the growing industry.

Courses in the SOU’s Esports minor offer structural principles for the world of Esports, addressing the industry’s ethics, focusing on diversity, eliminating toxicity and teaching efficient business management. The minor complements majors of all kinds, but has lots of double-dipping opportunities in the Business, Communication and Emerging Media and Digital Arts programs.

The SOU Esports team was accepted two years ago into the NACE StarLeague, the national league of college Esports. The association hosts tournaments in the spring and fall, in which schools from all over the country compete in various video game competitions.

Job fairs this week

Job and internship fairs this week

/in

Two events offered this week by the SOU Office of Career Connections are intended to help students and alumni discover job opportunities in general, and to highlight the need for teachers and education professionals in particular.

SOU’s all-industries Job, Career and Internship Fair – which is held each spring – will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, in the Stevenson Union’s Rogue River Room and ASSOU Lounge. It will be followed on Friday, April 12, by the Education Industry Job Fair, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Rogue River Room.

Both events are free and open to all students and alumni.

Wednesday’s Job, Career and Internship Fair will feature representatives from about 75 local and statewide employers. Those who are interested in attending can register and learn more online.

The fair enables attendees to connect with companies and organizations from a variety of industries, and to help students develop professionally and build their resumes. Employers will be filling full-time positions as well as part-time jobs and internships.

Employers expected at the Job, Career and Internship Fair include:

ACA Group, ACCESS, Adapt Integrated Health Care, AllCare Health, Ashland Family YMCA, Ashland Partners & Company LLP, Atrio Health Plans Inc., Avamere Health Services, Bicoastal Media, Boise Cascade Company, Bureau of Land Management, City of Ashland Police, City of Ashland Fire & Rescue, City of Medford Community Works, Edustaff, Enterprise Mobility, ESS, Evergreen Federal Bank, Express Employment Professionals – Medford, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grange Co-op, Harry & David, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Jackson County Library Services, Jackson County Community Justice, Jackson County Health & Human Service, Jackson County Roads & Parks, Jackson County Sheriff, Jasper Mountain, Kairos, KDRV-TV, Kelley Create, Klick Solar, KMVU TV Fox 26, La Clinica, Lithia & Driveway, Medford Water Commission, Mercy Flights, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Ontrack Rogue Valley, Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Department of Revenue, Oregon State University, Pacific Domes, Pacific Oasis Inc., Partnerships In Community Living, Inc. (PCL), Peace Corps, Personnel Source, Inc., Pfeiffer Vacuum, Purelight Power, Rogue Action Center, Rogue Community College, Rogue Community Health, Rogue Credit Union, Rogue School of Phlebotomy, Rogue Valley Manor-PRS, Rogue Valley SHRM, Rogue Waste, Inc., SEC Compliance Solutions LLC, Shasta County, SMART Reading, Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries, Southern Oregon Head Start, Southern Oregon PBS, Southern Oregon University Campus Employment, State of Oregon-Department of Human Services, The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon, The Crest, U.S. Department of State, United Community Action Network, Valley Immediate Care LLC, WaFd Bank, WorkSource Oregon-Business Services.

Friday’s Education Industry Job Fair will provide an opportunity for students in SOU’s Education Department and others to meet with representatives of school districts from throughout southern Oregon. The districts are seeking to fill elementary, middle and high school teaching positions, along with initial administration licensure and support staff positions.

Those who are interested in attending can register or find more information online.

SOU’s Career Connections office helps students identify and achieve career goals that will lead them to lives of purpose. The office collaborates with employers, graduate and professional schools, faculty and staff, student organizations, parents and alumni to serve students and graduates. Visit the Career Connections office at SU 310 or email for more information at careerconnections@sou.edu.

SOU students to study Blue Zone in Costa Rica

SOU offers study-abroad opportunity to Costa Rican “Blue Zone”

/in

Southern Oregon University will offer an innovative study-abroad opportunity in Costa Rica this summer that explores the intersection of health, longevity, culture and the environment. The program focuses on the Central American country’s “Blue Zone” on the Nicoya Peninsula – one of a handful of locations worldwide where residents’ life expectancy is highest.

Students who participate in the trip, from July 21 through Aug. 18, will be eligible to earn a total of six academic credits in two core courses – Health and Longevity (HE 399) and Environmental Health (HE 331). They will study the factors that contribute to healthy aging – from diet to community engagement – and also will engage with local communities, visit historical sites and experience Costa Rica’s rich cultural heritage.

The application deadline for the Costa Rica program, which will cost $4,725 for SOU students, is April 15.

SOU classes offer Blue Zone exploration in Costa RicaThe trip is being coordinated through SOU’s Study Abroad program and is offered in partnership with Academic Programs International, an independent study abroad provider that offers academic opportunities in more than 20 countries worldwide.

Financial aid options, including scholarships totaling $4,000 from Academic Programs International, are intended to make the program accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. Non-degree-seeking students and those from other universities are also eligible to participate.

The trip will include excursions to the 11,000-foot Volcán Irazú, Costa Rica’s highest volcano; the famous Monteverde cloud forest; and several days on the Nicoya Peninsula and National Park Reserve. There will also be opportunities for city walking tours, a visit to an organic farm, a local dance class, surf lessons and a cooking class.

Students will immerse themselves in Costa Rican culture through host-families, while exploring Costa Rica as a living classroom with a strong global reputation for health, happiness and environmental protection. Participants will practice experiential and service-based learning, and will learn evidence-based practices in health and wellness as they study the Nicoya Peninsula’s Blue Zone.

The original five Blue Zones – in Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California – identified populations that are among the healthiest and longest-living in the world. The practices of inhabitants have been studied to find common keys to healthy aging, including a sense of community, culture, diet, lifestyle, activity, religion and agriculture.

Most centenarians on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, for example, have a strong sense of purpose, focus on their families, maintain their social networks, continue to practice physical chores and remain relatively free of stress by embracing their common traditions. They enjoy light dinners – typically of squash, corn and beans – early in the evening, take in vitamin D through sensible sun exposure and drink water that is high in calcium.

Those who are interested in the Costa Rica program are encouraged to contact Crystal Stroud, an SOU adjunct instructor in Health, Physical Education and Leadership, at stroudc@sou.edu.

La Clinica to operate SOU Student Health & Wellness Center

La Clinica partners with SOU to operate student health center

/in ,

Medford-based community health center group La Clinica has partnered with Southern Oregon University to operate the on-campus Student Health & Wellness Center starting in September.

The collaboration is aimed at ensuring SOU can continue to provide students with affordable and high quality medical, behavioral health and reproductive health services. La Clinica accepts most insurance, including Oregon Health Plan, and does not turn away patients for inability to pay.

“La Clinica is an outstanding, community-minded organization, and SOU is proud to be partnering with them to ensure our students continue to get high-quality care while keeping their costs affordable,” SOU President Rick Bailey said. “We are indebted to everyone at La Clinica for embracing this partnership with compassion, kindness, and a focus on selfless student service.”

La Clinica CEO Brenda Johnson said that providing services at SOU will come naturally for the healthcare organization.

“We’re grateful and excited to be able to step into this role as a partner and support SOU’s vision in providing accessible and affordable health care for their students,” said Johnson. “SOU is an excellent educational home, and La Clinica has a lot of experience running school-based health centers. It’s an ideal collaboration.”

La Clinica operates 29 health centers in Jackson County, including 19 at area schools. It has deep experience in providing the services offered at the student health center. The organization serves about 30,000 patients annually.

La Clinica will begin operations at SOU as students return to campus in September for fall term, and will continue to offer students access to low-cost medical, mental health, and contraceptive care, as they’ve had available previously. The Student Health & Wellness Center is at the eastern edge of the SOU campus at 560 Indiana St.

La Clinica provides a host of other services to everyone involved in its care as well, including help signing up for the Oregon Health Plan or understanding other potential community resources; special prescription drug pricing; drop-in care on Saturdays at the Acute Care Clinic; dental care; education and training services through The Learning Well (https://thelearningwell.org); and grief education and support services through WinterSpring.

About La Clinica
La Clinica offers wellness-focused medical, dental, mental health, and substance use disorder care at 29 sites: 19 school-based centers, the Acute Care Clinic, the Women’s Health Center, East Medford Dental Clinic, a learning center, and six other community health centers. Although its mission focuses on providing access to low-income people, La Clinica is open to everyone. La Clinica was founded in 1989 to serve the primary and preventive care needs of migrant and seasonal farm workers in Jackson County.  In 2001, in response to an increasing need for affordable primary health, La Clinica expanded its scope to serve every member of the community. All services are offered regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, and on a sliding-scale basis for the uninsured and low income. Visit https://laclinicahealth.org.

About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized campus that provides comprehensive educational opportunities with a strong focus on student success and intellectual creativity. Located in vibrant Ashland, Oregon, SOU remains committed to diversity and inclusion for all students on its environmentally sustainable campus. Connected learning programs taught by a host of exceptional faculty provide quality, innovative experiences for students. Visit sou.edu.

SOU's Brain Bowl tournament

SOU offers “Brain Bowl” for local students

/in

More than 20 teams and a combined 100-plus students participated last month in the 47th annual Southern Oregon Brain Bowl, a quizbowl tournament organized by the Pre-College Youth Program at Southern Oregon University for middle and high schools in the region.

The first-round winners are St. Mary’s, Ashland, Logos Charter and Henley high schools in the junior varsity category, and Cascade Christian, Ashland, Phoenix and Mazama high schools in the varsity competition. The four finalists in both the varsity and junior varsity categories will complete for the Brain Bowl Division Championships, with the competition filmed on Saturday, April 13, and aired on Southern Oregon Public Television (PBS) at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 14.

Winners in the middle school category were St. Mary’s in Division A, McLoughlin in Division B and Scenic in Division C.

A special “Team Challenge” competition was also held during this year’s first-round high school tournament, with each team given five minutes to work together to answer a question or solve a problem. Each team was given the same challenge, and the special team event didn’t affect scoring for the overall tournament. The Team Challenge awards went to Grants Pass and Phoenix high schools in the varsity category, and to St. Mary’s and Henley high schools in the junior varsity category.

The SOU Pre-College Youth Programs staff congratulated all of the participating Brain Bowl students for their sportsmanship and competence, and thanked coaches for supporting their teams. The Jackson, Josephine and Klamath County school districts all helped to sponsor the tournament.

The director and question creator for this year’s Brain Bowl was James Johnson, who oversees the Academic Support Center at Ashland Middle School and coaches the school’s Brain Bowl team. The headquarters team included scorekeepers Diane Novak and Debbi Larsen, part of a team of more than 30 community members who served as timekeepers, scorekeepers and moderators.

The Southern Oregon Brain Bowl, based on game show Jeopardy, began in 1977 as a local academic competition between southern Oregon middle schools and high schools.