(Ashland, Ore.) —The Harry S. Kieval Lectures Series continues at Southern Oregon University this month with a presentation by Stanford University mathematics professor Dr. Keith Devlin.
Dr. Devlin has written 32 books and more than 80 published research articles. He is the recipient of the Pythagoras Prize, the Peano Prize, the Carl Sagan Award, and the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communications Award. He is also known as National Public Radio’s “Math Guy.” Dr. Devlin will give a lecture tailored to the general public on Friday, May 13, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 151 inside the Science Building on SOU’s main Ashland campus.
The presentation, “Too Good to be True? Unravelling the Mystery of Some Recent Studies of Video Game Math Learning” will focus on how video games can help children learn mathematics. The presentation is free and open to the public.
“We know people are sometimes turned off by presentations like this because they assume it will be over their head or uninteresting,” said Dr. Kemble Yates, professor of mathematics at SOU, “but Dr. Devlin is a great presenter and this lecture is specifically designed for the general public. No particular knowledge of mathematics is necessary in order for attendees to appreciate the material, have a good time, and learn something.”
The Harry S. Kieval Lecture Series was endowed in the early 1980s by a generous gift from the late Harry S. Kieval. The SOU Mathematics Department invites speakers to address broad, popular aspects of mathematics with the goal of attracting undergraduate students and the general public to the lectures.
More information on the Kieval Lecture Series is available at www.sou.edu/math/kievel.
Dr. Devlin’s full bio is available at web.standford.edu/~kdevlin.
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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.
About Dr. Keith Devlin
Dr. Keith Devlin is a co-founder and Executive Director of the university’s H-STAR institute, a co-founder of the Stanford Media X research network, and a Senior Researcher at CSLI. He is a World Economic Forum Fellow, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. His current research is focused on the use of different media to teach and communicate mathematics to diverse audiences. In this connection, he is a co-founder and President of an educational technology company, BrainQuake, that creates mathematics learning video games. He also works on the design of information/reasoning systems for intelligence analysis. Other research interests include: theory of information, models of reasoning, applications of mathematical techniques in the study of communication, and mathematical cognition. He has written 32 books and over 80 published research articles. Recipient of the Pythagoras Prize, the Peano Prize, the Carl Sagan Award, and the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communications Award. In 2003, he was recognized by the California State Assembly for his “innovative work and longtime service in the field of mathematics and its relation to logic and linguistics.” He is “the Math Guy” on National Public Radio.

(Ashland, Ore.) —Southern Oregon Unviersity’s Jefferson Public Radio is among the winners of the 2016 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. The Murrows are presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) to recognize outstanding broadcast and online journalism.
JPR was also recognized by the Associated Press Television and Radio Association (APTRA).
JPR took top honors for Best News Series in RTDNA’s small market division among public and commercial radio stations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
The Murrow award was for the four-part series Silent Epidemic: Addiction In Southern Oregon, in which JPR reporter Liam Moriarty explored what public health officials call an epidemic of addiction to heroin and prescription opioid pain relievers, through the eyes of people on the front lines.
The Associated Press award was chosen among submissions from small market public and commercial radio stations in the 13 western states, including California, Oregon and Washington. Liam Moriarty’s To Shoot Or Not To Shoot won for Best Use of Sound in a Feature.
“These awards recognize the outstanding work of the JPR newsroom exploring the community issues that are central to citizens in Southern Oregon and Northern California,” said JPR Executive Director Paul Westhelle. “They also celebrate the essential relationship that exists between JPR, Southern Oregon University and our listeners which makes our work possible.”
“JPR is very deserving of these honors,” said SOU President Roy Saigo. “The awards serve as recognition of what we have long known: that Jefferson Public Radio is a vital and important part of not only our campus community at SOU, but the entire region. These reports are examples of the kind of journalism that makes a difference by focusing our community on a complex issue.”
Regional Murrow winners are automatically entered in the national Edward R. Murrow competition. National winners will be announced in June.
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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.

(Ashland, Ore.) — After working for the same company for almost 15 years, the last 12 of which have been spent in one department, Andrea Budavari was tired of being passed up for promotions and new positions because she did not have a college degree. “I’ve been ready for something different—for a new challenge—for a long time now,” she said.  “But because I didn’t have a college degree and didn’t meet the qualifications on paper, I kept getting passed up.”
For Budavari, and others in a similar position, the Innovation and Leadership (INL) program at Southern Oregon University was just what she was looking for. “I was afraid that I’d be unable to fit a bachelor’s degree program into my already busy work and personal life, but the fast track, accelerated class format provided exactly what I needed.” Innovation and Leadership is a multidisciplinary program designed specifically for working professionals who are emerging as leaders within their organizations.
Amie Mills found herself in a similar situation after spending eight years working in the corporate world. “When I wanted to move up into higher management positions, all of the positions and job postings had minimum qualifications that included a college degree,” she said. “It was really frustrating to be completely overlooked for jobs I knew I could excel in because of the lack of a degree.”
Both Budavari and Mills believe they’ve found the solution to their stagnated careers through the INL program. “I’ve been going to school off and on since 2007, but the regular academic schedule of most programs wasn’t fitting well with my busy life,” Budavari said. “INL was finally the answer.”
SOU is now accepting applications for the next cohort in the INL program. Classes in INL, which are accelerated to meet the needs of working professionals, are scheduled in five-week modules, meeting one night per week at SOU’s Higher Education Center in Medford. Classes for the upcoming cohort are scheduled to begin this summer.
“The INL program develops leaders by focusing on the skills needed to lead effectively in the modern workplace,” according to Moneeka Settles, INL program coordinator. “Courses include Negotiation, Conflict Management, Group Dynamics, Creative Thinking, Applied Business Research, IT Ethical Issues, and much more.”
Due to the accelerated schedule and the fact that classes meet just one night per week in Medford, Settles says the INL program is ideal for interested students who may live in outlying areas. “We have multiple students who live outside of Jackson County in areas like Grants Pass who have found that the schedule works well for them,” she said.
Courses being offered through the program this summer include Organizational Leadership as well as International Business, which will focus on the history, trade, and commerce of chocolate.
“Many of the courses I’ve taken in the program have had a huge benefit on my career already,” according to Mills. “I’ve learned a lot about how to approach a variety of projects in ways that ensure the best outcome and have made outstanding connections with others in my cohort.”
As a degree completion program, INL is designed for individuals with some college experience and at least five years of work experience beyond the entry level. “We also hope that everyone interested in the program will have a sincere desire to lead, innovate, collaborate, and think critically,” Settles added.
For Mills and Budavari, the program has been so beneficial, they would recommend it to anyone else who feels stifled by not having completed a college degree. “I’ve already emailed information about the new cohort that’s starting up to everyone at my work,” Budavari said.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. But be prepared to work hard and contribute in class in order to get the most out of it and have a rewarding experience,” Mills added.
For more information on the program or to begin the application process, contact Moneeka Settles at 541-552-8103 or settlesm@sou.edu.
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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.

(Ashland, Ore.) —Southern Oregon University will hold an Educator Job Fair on Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Rogue River Room inside the Stevenson Union on the University’s main Ashland campus. The fair is designed to provide an opportunity for schools and school districts across Oregon to meet and interact with SOU students and soon-to-be graduates regarding job opportunities within the field of education.
While created with SOU students in mind, the fair is open to anyone in the community who would like to learn more about employment opportunities in education that are available throughout the state.
“This is a great opportunity not only for our students and community members to see what is available in the field, but for those schools and districts with positions to fill to meet with a crop of soon-to-be graduates who are ready to go to work,” said April Harrison, an education faculty member at SOU and one of the organizers of the fair. “Our students who will be graduating this spring are very excited to get out into communities around the state and put their education and training to work!”
There is no charge for attendance to the fair.
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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.

(Ashland, Ore.) — The Southern Oregon University Women’s Resource Center will once again present The Vagina Monologues. The 15^th annual presentation of the play, which is based on the award-winning work of author Eve Ensler, will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 3-5 at 7 p.m. in the Rogue River Room inside the Stevenson Union on the University’s main campus in Ashland.
This year’s presentation will for the first time feature opening acts, including the SOU Slam Poetry Team, Dulcet Acapella Group, and singer Alyssa McPartland. “This is the first time we’ve featured opening acts, and we’re really excited to be able to provide that,” according to Demitra Olague, Vagina Monologues co-director.
The entire cast of The Vagina Monologues is comprised of SOU students, as are the two co-directors. Olague and Jessica Hole. “The Vagina Monologues are a collection of performances empowering women and people with vaginas,” Hole said.
The Friday, March 4 presentation will feature an American Sign Language interpreter.
Tickets are on sale now at the Stevenson Union Information Desk and the SOU Women’s Resource Center. Advance tickets are $10 for SOU students and $13 for members of the community. Tickets will be available at the door for $12 and $15, respectively.
For more information, visit https://www.sou.edu/wrc/vaginamonologues.html.
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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.