Oregon House Speaker tours SOU campus

Southern Oregon University welcomed Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey to campus on August 25 for a tour highlighting the SOU Vitality Plan and the university’s work to transform the institution, recent physical improvements, student life and the SOU’s role in serving the region.

Speaker Fahey was joined by SOU President Rick Bailey and student guide Regan Mitchell, who led her through several areas of campus and provided an up-close look at university facilities and programs. The visit offered an opportunity to showcase both the student experience and investments that have helped strengthen SOU’s infrastructure – and to talk about the work underway with the implementation of the Vitality Plan and the university’s goals for the future.

Among the stops on the tour were SOU’s athletic facilities and stadium, where university leaders highlighted the importance of athletics in student engagement and campus life. Fahey also visited student housing, gaining a firsthand look at residential spaces designed to support student success and create a vibrant campus community.

The tour included a walk past Central Hall, which was recently renovated with the help of legislative-directed bonding. University officials pointed to those projects as examples of state investments that have enhanced learning environments, modernized facilities and improved the overall experience for students, faculty and staff.

Fahey’s visit concluded with a tour of Jefferson Public Radio’s studios, where she learned more about the public radio network’s service to southern Oregon and northern California. University leaders said the visit provided an important opportunity to highlight SOU’s educational mission, recent accomplishments and the value of continued partnerships between the university and state lawmakers.

“It’s always great when legislators can see and experience SOU in person, instead of just reading news reports or legislative briefs,” said Marc Overbeck, SOU’s Director of Government Relations. “It’s even more important when it’s a House Speaker. We appreciate Speaker Fahey’s interest in and attention to SOU – which is the only public university along the I-5 corridor between Eugene and Chico, California.

“Speaker Fahey understands the important role SOU plays for southern Oregon and we are grateful for her commitment to our students and the region.”