first-generation student goes beyond expectations

Soon-to-be graduate goes beyond first-generation expectations

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(Ashland, Ore.) — To describe Nansi Cortes simply as a first-generation college student and soon-to-be Southern Oregon University graduate would ignore both her personal history and her family’s unwavering support.

Nansi’s immigrant parents, whom she said had “lower than a grade school education,” were nonetheless aware of education’s potential impact on their children. So they were all in when Nansi was in eighth grade at Medford’s McLoughlin Middle School and became eligible for the SOU/McLoughlin Bulldogs-to-Raiders partnership, a pathway program designed for first-generation Hispanic students to learn about higher education and receive extra help with coursework.

A Spanish translation of this story can be found here.

Nansi, a senior in the SOU Honors College, will receive her bachelor’s degree at the commencement ceremony in June. She has served as a student mentor, a teaching assistant and a lead student assistant in the university’s Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. And she already has been accepted into the SOU master’s degree program in Clinical in Mental Health Counseling.

“Mental health has been seen as a controversial topic for the Spanish-speaking communities,” Nansi said. “I will help educate the importance of mental health, become a bilingual counselor for young adults in Rogue Valley and advocate the benefits of therapy within the Spanish-speaking community.

“As I have been a resource for students at Southern Oregon University, I will continue to be a resource for Spanish-speaking communities.”

Her path to achievement has been neither straightforward nor easy. Her grade point average before transferring to McLoughlin Middle School was 1.9, which she quickly raised to a 3.8.

“About two months in at a new school, I passed classes with A’s, received higher test scores and eventually was asked to enroll in honors courses,” Nansi said. “With the support system I received from the new school, I began to believe in my potential to succeed and desire to plan my educational future.”

Which is where Bulldogs-to-Raiders came in. As part of the program, Nansi participated in SOU’s Academia Latina Leadership, Cesar Chavez Conference, Dia Familiar Latino and other Latinx-oriented youth programs. Those in the program visited various colleges and universities, where they received advice from students on the application process.

“As a first-generation student, I could experience the (SOU) campus by joining workshops and events, while the program taught my parents how to support me,” Nansi said. “Before joining this program, I did not think I was qualified to apply to colleges, pass courses or find the funds to attend. Bulldogs-to-Raiders gave me the opportunity for an education.”

As fate would have it, the COVID-19 pandemic was at full stride when Nansi graduated high school and enrolled at SOU in 2020. She was accustomed to learning through face-to-face classroom interactions, and was concerned about the shift to online coursework – but also felt that her scholarships would be impacted if she took a term off, so met with her guidance counselor.

“She encouraged me to attend the professor’s office hours when I was confused, join a study group for each course for support and seek the tutoring center at the Hannon Library,” Nansi said. “I completed my first year with immense help, and motivation to continue.

She learned about the SOU Honors College while attending the Cesar Chavez Conference with her Bulldogs-to-Raiders cohort, worked hard to be accepted into the program and became an Honors College student as a freshman. She has taken on the role of an academic leader among her peers, and counts that as one of her greatest achievements.

“I have tutored students outside of class to explain the material step-by-step, helped them find sources for their papers and helped the professors with grading,” Nansi said. “This has been an accomplishment because I did not have someone at home to help me with assignments. I wanted to be an additional resource for students.

“These achievements have prepared me for my future by leading me to my goal of becoming a bilingual counselor.”

She also serves as a role model to her siblings, helping them with their educational decisions, and has found her way to a rewarding, meaningful future in counseling.

“My parents will endlessly express their gratitude toward programs that help students achieve academically,” Nansi said. “They are proud to see how far their daughter has gotten in life. The sacrifices they made so I could receive a proper education will never go unseen.”

-SOU-

Rogue Valley Television now available on largest streaming platforms

Rogue Valley Television now available to cable-cutters and others

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Rogue Valley Television, the community- and government-access station operated by Southern Oregon University’s Digital Media Center, is now available as an app or channel on the five largest streaming platforms: Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV and mobile apps for iOS and Android. The change makes RVTV – which is also available over-the-air and on local cable – available anywhere, without an antenna or cable subscription.

RVTV offers four cable channels across Jackson and Josephine counties: RVTV Prime, RVTV Civic, RVTV Voices and RVTV Grants Pass. The stations serves as the government television service provider for Jackson County and the cities of Ashland, Grants Pass and Medford, carrying all public hearings live and on replay. Public meetings from the Ashland School District and Rogue Valley Transportation District are also available.

On its Voices channel, the station also carries community-access programming on well-being and lifestyle, news and politics, education, nature and ecology, entertainment and music, and more.

RVTV has been has been available through cable providers in the Rogue Valley for almost 35 years, and began streaming live channels from its website in the mid- to late-2000s. RVTV is considered a Public, Education and Government (P.E.G.) access television network.

The station began working with the Telvue Corporation in 2011 to migrate to an all-digital playback server, operating four cable channels with simultaneous live streaming. RVTV and Telvue began work last fall to develop mobile and OTT (over-the-top) streaming video channels across the five largest streaming platforms, to broaden the reach of both its live channels and on-demand video content from its government partners. OTT refers to technology that streams content by way of internet-connected devises.

RVTV continues to seek the most effective means of providing civic information and community media to southern Oregon residents, with support from Southern Oregon University, Jackson County and the cities of Ashland, Grants Pass and Medford.

IAS Innovation Fund launches junk-to-art initiative

Junk-to-art program spotlights SOU’s IAS Innovation Fund

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Impact of the SOU Institute for Applied Sustainability’s Innovation Fund will be on display when an exhibition of the Recology Ashland-SOU Artist-in-Residency program opens on Friday, May 17, at the university’s Temporary Sculpture Garden.

Recology Ashland partnered with SOU student artists last year to raise public awareness of environmental needs, such as reduction of waste sources, recycling and resource conservation. The award-winning program, led by SOU sculpture professor Michael Parker, helps students learn about turning waste into art, by using materials found at Recology’s Valley View Transfer Station to create works of art.

This week’s show marks the second year of the residency program, and features work by student artists Adam Garrett, Cameron Daniel Whiting, Carli Lamberto, Mel Villarreal and Naia Duggan.

The artists’ work will be featured from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the temporary public sculpture garden near SOU’s Center for the Visual Arts, the halls of Susanne Homes Hall Two & Three, the Sculpture Studio and the CVA Galleries. The show will celebrate the community collaboration and innovative solutions of the five artists.

The SOU Institute for Applied Sustainability was created in September 2022 as part of a $12 million gift to the university from Lithia Motors and its GreenCars division. The overall gift included $4 million to establish the SOU Institute for Applied Sustainability, which works with Lithia on initiatives including an academic credential in corporate sustainability, a national sustainability demonstration site, a sustainability conference and the IAS Innovation Fund – which offers micro-grants for innovative projects by SOU faculty and staff, such as the Recology Artist-in-Residency program.

The micro-grants are intended to serve as strategic investments, supporting SOU’s sustainability efforts and setting the stage for longer-term funding opportunities.

Creativity Conference at SOU set to begin

Sixth annual Creativity Conference at SOU set to begin May 16

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(Ashland, Ore.) — The 6th annual Creativity Conference at Southern Oregon University will kick off Thursday, May 16, and run through Sunday, May 19. The four-day event features a dynamic, global lineup with over 100 presenters, including five keynote speakers.

Drawing together many of the world’s leading scholars, researchers and practitioners from the field of creativity, alongside a diverse array of professionals seeking to infuse creativity into their endeavors, the conference is set to spur curiosity and innovation, and generate conversations to transform and inspire creative thinking. The conference will feature research presentations, artistic exhibits and performances, and hands-on demonstrations. See the conference website for a full listing of this year’s program.

The conference will feature both in-person and remote presentation formats. In-person presentations, demonstrations and performances will run Thursday, May 16, through Saturday, May 18. Attendees joining in-person will have the option to view these sessions in designated venues in SOU’s Stevenson Union. Sunday, May 19, is devoted exclusively to remote presentations. All sessions – remote and in-person – will be accessible via livestream, ensuring inclusivity and engagement. Additionally, archived presentations will be available for viewing post-event.

“This conference showcases internationally renowned speakers, researchers and artists who are at the forefront of creativity research and application,” said Conference Co-Executive Director Dan DeNeui. “Their insights will ignite imagination and challenge attendees to reimagine their ideas about creativity.”

This year’s conference will again feature unique presentations and demonstrations on artificial intelligence and creativity. On Friday, the conference will feature an AI forum where attendees can learn about how faculty, students and innovators are using AI technology, and get hands on experience with AI tools.

Attendees can expect a diverse range of formats, including 60-minute panel discussions, 40- to 50-minute individual presentations, 15-minute “boom talk” sessions delivering concise insights, and engaging poster presentations. Each format will provide ample opportunities for interactive dialogue and exchange.

Distinguished keynote and invited speaker/performers for this year’s conference include:

  • Indre Viscontas, Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco
  • Tuomas Auvinen, Dean of the School of Arts, Design, and Architecture at Aalto University in Finland
  • Sandra Russ, Distinguished University Professor Emerita at Case Western Reserve University
  • April Matson, Executive Director of Rock The Rez
  • Bob Root-Bernstein, Professor of Physiology Emeritus at Michigan State University
  • Derek Keller, Assistant Professor of Music, Southern Oregon University

The SOU Creativity Conference serves as a global platform, offering cutting-edge insights and resources for individuals interested in the science and application of creativity research. The event fosters collaboration among creativity researchers, facilitating the expansion of professional networks and knowledge exchange.

Aligned with SOU’s strategic vision, which prioritizes creativity, innovation and essential human skills, the conference underscores the significance of creativity in driving progress and meeting the evolving needs of society.

Interested individuals can register for the conference by visiting the Creativity Conference website.

Those with questions can reach out to either Dan DeNeui at deneuid@sou.edu or Mark Runco at runcom@sou.edu.

-SOU-

SOU's Hannon Library and the legacy of Tony and Betty Shively

Past to present: The Hannon Library’s Shively legacy

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T.S. Eliot famously penned that “the very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future,” beckoning toward the treasured Hannon Library at SOU. Located in the heart of campus, the Hannon Library is a remarkable place of knowledge. More than just a quiet space to study, the Hannon Library serves as a vital resource for students and the wider community. Its extensive collections, both physical and digital, empower learners to navigate the ever-expanding world of information. The Hannon Library bridges the gap between past and present with its historical archives, ensuring that students and community members alike have the tools they need for research and academics.

One such member of the Hannon Library community was Thornton T. Shively – known by most as Tony – who left his mark on SOU in more ways than one. Not only was he a resident of Ashland, but he also actively participated in the community’s renowned cultural scene. He graced the stage of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) between 1948 and 1952. His love for literature extended beyond performance, as he transitioned to working at Southern Oregon College (now SOU) as a librarian from 1959 to 1962. Shively even explored the world of authorship under the pen name “Thorne Lee,” with his book “Summer Shock” drawing inspiration from a local Ashland production of “King Lear.”

The Shively family established the Thornton T. Shively Memorial Fund at Hannon Library in 1980, after Tony’s death. The fund was created to acquire important editions of William Shakespeare’s works and the works of Shakespeare’s contemporaries for the Hannon Library’s Margery Bailey Renaissance Collection.

Tony and Betty were close friends with Dr. Margery Bailey, who particularly admired Tony’s reading of Shakespeare. Tony was cast as the Earl of Kent in the OSF’s 1951 production of “King Lear.” Family lore has it that Dr. Bailey believed Tony should have instead been chosen for the lead role of King Lear. Tony’s wife, Betty, also worked at the library and volunteered actively with the OSF’s Tudor Guild and costume shop.

The Shively Memorial Fund has significantly enriched the Hannon Library’s collection of Shakespeare and early dramatic works. The very first item acquired with the fund was a landmark piece: the fourth folio edition of Shakespeare’s collected works, published in 1685 and presented by Susan Elizabeth Shively, also known as Betty, in 1981. This acquisition was followed by others of equal importance, including the Beaumont and Fletcher second folio of 53 plays (1679), the William Pickering edition of Shakespeare’s plays (1825), and the Nonesuch edition of Shakespeare’s plays (1936).

The fourth folio includes 36 plays found in the earlier folios, plus another seven plays thought at that time to have been written by Shakespeare. The Shively copy is bound in 19th century calf by Bayntum of Bath. The folio can be viewed by appointment in the archives at SOU’s Hannon Library. In fact, as SOU’s Theatre Department is bringing Shakespeare’s “Pericles” to life on-stage this spring, a curious theatre arts student cast in the production came to the archives to examine a copy of the fourth folio. To their surprise, they discovered a single word variation between the historical text and the script used in the current production. This encounter exemplifies the enduring value of the SOU archives. Even today, these resources serve as a vital resource for scholarly exploration, enriching the understanding and appreciation of theatrical works such as “Pericles.”

Betty passed away in 1984, and the name of the fund was changed to the Thornton T. and Susan Elizabeth Shively Memorial Fund.

“It pleases me to know this resource is available to scholars, educators and interested visitors,” says Susan Zare, Tony and Betty Shively’s daughter. “I recall reading in a library newsletter about an actor from the festival who used the folio for research. This cross-fertilization between SOU and OSF, and the value this collection brings to the university and the local community, feels truly rewarding.”

Zare and her sister, Sally Legakis, continue to support the Hannon Library as a cornerstone of SOU and the Rogue Valley community’s cultural heritage. It houses irreplaceable archives and collections that not only tell the stories of the past but also inspire creativity and scholarship for future generations.

Story by Melissa Matthewson, SOU Director of Development Communications

Limited membership club question posed to SOU students

Student input sought on “limited membership” clubs

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SOU students are being asked to weigh in on a proposal – prompted by a request from a group interested in bringing the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity to campus – to allow “groups that have limited membership” to be recognized as student clubs. The student government, Associated Students of Southern Oregon, is offering question-and-answer sessions through Thursday, May 9, and is circulating an email survey this week. A May 14 vote on the matter by the ASSOU Senate is scheduled.

Current ASSOU policy requires recognized student clubs to be open to all students, but TKE membership is limited, based on gender and membership dues.

“There are many different types of organizations that might have limited membership,” ASSOU President Brayden Clayburn said in an email to students last week. “For example, an honors business fraternity that has membership limited by GPA and major. A religious organization that has membership limited by religious beliefs. A political organization that has membership limited by political affiliation.

“This vote will impact several different types of groups beyond Greek Life.”

The ASSOU has held listening and question-and-answer sessions on the proposal each day for the past week, and plans three more this week: Today, May 7, from 5 to 6 p.m. in Stephenson Union Room 319; Wednesday, May 8, from noon to 1 p.m. in Stephenson Union Room 319; and Thursday, May 9, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at The Hawk dining commons.

The student government has scheduled an email survey to be sent May 8 on the question of whether limited-membership groups should be recognized as student clubs.

A TKE chapter at SOU was founded in 1962, according to the fraternity’s website, and it remained active at least through the mid-1970s. It has been inactive for many years.