National Survey Tracks Five Straight Years of Academic Progress at SOU

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National Survey of Student Engagement shows SOU students are more academically engaged than students at other campuses
(Ashland, Ore.) – If you’re a first year student at Southern Oregon University, it’s likely that, compared to students at other four-year colleges and universities, you write more, work more with other students on projects, and make more class presentations. You’re also more likely to read more books on your own for academic enrichment/enjoyment, attend more artistic events, vote in local and national elections and discuss assignments with professors than students at comparable four-year colleges and universities.
Those are just some of the highlights from the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). SOU is one of 564 colleges and universities that participated in the survey in 2010. More than 35 percent of last year’s SOU first year students and seniors completed the NSSE questionnaire.
NSSE measures five key areas of student engagement; level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, enriching educational experiences and supportive campus environment. Scores are then compared with similar institutions as well as with all campuses that participated. SOU first-year students perform as well or better than peer institutions in all five of the benchmark areas. SOU seniors performed as well or better in three of the benchmark areas. Read more

SOU Foundation Announces Ruhl Learning Fellowship Recipients

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Two students receive in-state tuition and fee scholarships for 2010-11

(Ashland, Ore) The Southern Oregon University Foundation announced Senior Sarah Stednitz of Morro Bay, Calif. and Junior Robin Kigel of Talent, Ore. as the 2010-11 Robert Ruhl Learning Fellowship recipients. The fellowship provides full in-state tuition and fees to students demonstrating academic merit through a year-long research project.
Stednitz, a biomedical and psychology double major, proposed a study on the side effects of haloperidol on those with psychological disorders. “This fellowship will allow me to get the most out of my education and relieve me of significant debt burden,” she said.
Kigel, a history and political science double major, will use the fellowship to examine groups that provided social services throughout American history. “The rigors of my coursework and previous research prepared me to conduct this project,” she said.
More than 30 students applied for the scholarship. The two students were chosen by the SOU Foundation Board Selection Committee.
Both students were highly recommended by supervising professors. “Sarah’s (Stednitz) curiosity, intellectual skill, and work ethic make her a superb candidate for graduate school and ultimately research in neuroscience,” said Dr. Chris Oswald, biology professor.
Robin (Kigel) is exceptionally well prepared to undertake the kind of research envisioned by the Ruhl Fellowship,” said Dr. Dustin Walcher, history Professor.
The Robert Ruhl Learning Fellowship will be available next year on SOU’s online financial aid site, SOSA. For more information on SOU financial aid, call Enrollment Services at 541.552.6600.

SOU Foundation Announces Akerill Scholarship Recipients

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Two students receive in-state tuition and fee scholarships for 2010-11
(Ashland, Ore) The Southern Oregon University Foundation announced Senior Jay Harrower of Ashland and Sophomore Shayne Mesa of Medford as the 2010-11 James and Betty Akerill Memorial Scholarship recipients.  The scholarship is the result of a recent $1.2 million bequest and will provide tuition and fees for both students.
“This scholarship will allow me to further my artistic and business knowledge.  I intend to start a local business when I graduate to give back to the community that has given me so much since our family moved here in 1996,” said Harrower, an art major and business minor.
More than 70 students applied for the scholarship for full-time undergraduate students over 25years with proven financial need.  The two students were chosen by the SOU Foundation Board Selection Committee.
“Attending college full time while supporting my wife and two children was challenging.  Scholarships for students in my current situation are gratifying,” said Mesa, a biology major.
Both students were highly recommended by their professors.  “Shayne is the type of student professors relish.  I believe he has the intellectual abilities, personality and motivation to succeed in any endeavor,” said John Roden, biology professor.
“Jay gives 500% of himself to his work, his students and my students,” said Robin Strangfeld, art professor.
“The students selected for this award are a tribute to James Akerill, who was a nontraditional student himself,” said Sylvia Kelley, VP for Development and Executive Director of the SOU Foundation.  “James and Betty saved everything they had to provide better lives for SOU students.  Jay and Shayne are now a part of this legacy.”
The James and Betty Akerill Memorial scholarship will be available next year on SOU’s online financial aid site, SOSA. For more information on SOU financial aid, call Enrollment Services at 541.552.6600.

SOU Students to Gain Google Apps Resources

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Southern Oregon University in Googlefont
(Ashland, Ore) Southern Oregon University will deploy Google Apps for Education, Google’s set of hosted and customizable communications for higher education, as part of the university’s Information Technology offerings for students, faculty and staff.
In addition to adding new technology solutions for students and eventually staff and faculty, the move promises to save the university approximately $2,500 a year in energy costs, and, over three years, another $18,000 in hardware expenses. When the transition is complete, another $35,000 in software licensing will be recaptured for repurposing to support technology needs.
There is a “green” component to the switch; by taking advantages of Google’s highly efficient off-site data (aka “cloud”) storage, the e-waste generated every time the university cycles outdated hardware will be avoided.
The initial rollout will be Google Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sites and Google Talk for students on Monday, December 13, 2010. A faculty/staff deployment in spring of 2011 will see the addition of a new “Google Infrastructure” that will give students, faculty, and staff access to the core Google Apps for Education and approximately 150 other Google offerings, including technologies such as Blogger and Google Voice.
Google Apps for Education allows schools and universities to give Google’s communication and collaboration abilities to a campus community for free. All services are hosted by Google and can be accessed via any Internet-connected computer and many mobile devices.

SOU ROTC Program Tops Nation in Guard Scholarships

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rotc-gold (1)(Ashland, Ore.) –National Guard Officer Strength Management in Washington, DC has named the ROTC GOLD program at Southern Oregon University top program for Guard and Reserve scholarship awards.  ROTC programs at more than 140 colleges and universities offer Guard and Reserve scholarships- SOU has surpassed all in “Citizen Soldier” scholarship offers.
SOU has eleven cadets with scholarship awards in the year 2013 group, the most of any college participating.
“I would like to thank President Mary Cullinan and SOU for making this possible,” says Lt. Col. Keith Ensley, the head of SOU’s ROTC program. “This is a tremendous achievement and will increase our national visibility.” As a result of the award, the SOU cadre will be featured in an upcoming issue of Guard Experience, the National Guard magazine.
A year ago Army ROTC awarded three SOU students the first ROTC scholarships at SOU in more than 20 years. ROTC was discontinued at SOU in the early 1990s due to the Army’s reduction in forces.
SOU now has the only ROTC program between Sacramento and Eugene.
Most ROTC scholarships available at SOU are full tuition, three-year scholarships worth more than $18,000 per year.
ROTC is the U.S. Army officer program available through the Military Science program at SOU. Enrollment requires a military service obligation – in the active Army, National Guard, or Army Reserve. ROTC is not an undergraduate degree program; it is a program that runs parallel to a student’s academic major.  Every student enrolled in ROTC receives a minimum college scholarship starting at $5,000 per year.
ROTC students training to become Army officers also take courses in other subjects such as political science, history, and philosophy. These courses help to broaden their understanding and prepare them to be better officers.

Historical Writing and Printing Collection on Display at SOU

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(Ashland, Ore.) –Southern Oregon University’s (SOU’s) Hannon Library will host a dedication honoring the Lily Hearn History of Writing and Printing Collection on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at 3 p.m.
The event showcases the new, permanent exhibit of manuscripts and artifacts and begins with an opening ceremony at the exhibit on the library second floor, followed by a reception in the Meese Room. Refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome to the free event. Read more

SOU Breaks All Enrollment Records – Most Students Ever

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Rate of Growth is the Highest of All Oregon Public Universities
(Ashland, Ore.) –Californians have discovered Southern Oregon University (SOU). So have Oregonians, Hispanics, foreign students, transfer students and graduate students. SOU experienced record growth this fall in every category the university measures.
SOU President Mary Cullinan notes, “All of Oregon’s public universities grew this fall. We’re an affordable option in a difficult economy. But SOU’s growth is exceptional. We’re the only university of its kind on the West Coast. We’re a public university with a focus on connecting students with faculty and with the region. We’re committed to powerful programs in the arts and the sciences—but also to professional programs in education and business that educate the professional workforce of this region. We’ve worked hard to get the news out about SOU. And now we’ve been discovered.”

  • The following are highlights from fall term 2010 enrollment figures: • Headcount is 6,443, a 26.2% increase over fall 2009, and the highest enrollment for any term in the university’s history.
  • Full Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment is 4,524, 15.1% more than fall 2009, and also an all time record.
  • Hispanic enrollment saw a dramatic increase, up 46.3% this fall, helping to raise minority student enrollment to 12.5%. This is the most diverse fall term in SOU history.
  • Fall 2010 represents SOU’s largest new transfer class ever – 674 students, an increase of 36% over fall 2009.
  • Fall term 2010 includes SOU’s largest new graduate class in the institution’s history, a 3.9% increase over fall 2009.
  • California student enrollment is up 37.9% over last fall, the largest number of California students in institutional history. Total non‐resident enrollment is up 22.6%. In total, 37.4% of the new class this fall is non‐resident.
  • Resident first time freshmen enrollment is up 15.5%. Campus housing is filled to capacity this fall.
  • Freshmen retention increased to 70.4%, reflecting a continuing trend of improved retention rates. By comparison, SOU retained 62.8% of new students in 2003.
  • Foreign student enrollment increased 22.2% from fall 2009. Even with the dramatic growth, SOU still has capacity and is busily recruiting more students. Applications for fall 2011 are already well ahead of this time last year.

SOU is also developing new programs. Agreements were recently signed with several Chinese campuses to send business students to SOU. The university’s Emerging Media and Digital Art program is expanding this fall and has a new program director. On‐line course offerings have increased 144% over 2008 offerings. The National Science Foundation has recently awarded close to a million dollars in grants for equipment and expansion of laboratories.
“No other undergraduate liberal arts campus in the West can top SOU for quality, affordability, accessibility, and location,” says President Cullinan. “SOU’s inspiring faculty, connected learning, creative spirit, and beautiful location make this campus a magnet for motivated students. I couldn’t be happier about that.”

International Children’s Support Advocate to Speak at SOU

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(Ashland, Ore.) – Sebastien Marot, principle founder and executive director of Friends International, a non-governmental organization providing refuge and support for street kids around the world, will speak at Southern Oregon University Friday, November 12. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. in room 29-30 of Taylor Hall with a short film, “What I See When I Close My Eyes.” Marot’s talk, “Hope for Cambodia,” begins at 2:00 p.m. The film and talk are free and open to the public.
The presentation is to raise awareness for 1,200 homeless juveniles in the Rogue Valley, and show examples from other places in the world where derelict children have been saved. Marot’s organization works in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Honduras, Mexico, Egypt and Hong Kong, where young children in cities are in danger of disease, starvation, exploitation and sexual slavery.
The film and discussion are co-sponsored by the SOU International Studies Program, the SOU United Nations Club and the Maslow Project Leadership Program.

Congressman to Attend SOU Veterans Day Celebration

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(Ashland, Ore.) – Congressman Greg Walden will attend the Veteran’s Day reception at Southern Oregon University, Thursday, November 11.
The program runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Rogue River Room of the Stevenson Union. Congressman Walden is scheduled at Noon. Veterans service providers will have exhibits.
All veterans and their supporters are welcome at the free event

SOU Schneider Museum of Art Receives Miller Foundation Grant

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University Art Museum to Use Funds for Rural Outreach
(Ashland, Ore) The Southern Oregon University (SOU) Schneider Museum of Art has received a $15,000 dollar grant from the Miller Foundation in Portland Ore. to share its exhibits with outlying towns in Oregon.
“Our goal is to use the power of aesthetic experience to provide people with joy, an opportunity to contemplate social experience, and to promote community identity through shared responses to the exhibits,” says Michael Crane, Schneider Museum Director.  “We are also giving real-world experiences to our arts-management students who help run the program.”
Crane patterned the traveling show after an award-winning outreach program he created and ran for seven years at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  After piloting the exhibits in Eagle Point and the Rogue Valley Manor, the Schneider Museum has received requests for shows in Ashland, Jacksonville, Klamath Falls, Medford, Rogue River, Ruch and the Umpqua Valley.
“This generous grant will allow families all over Oregon to experience and explore the incredible exhibits of the Schneider Museum,” says Sylvia Kelley, VP for Development and Executive Director of the SOU Foundation.  “We strongly believe this program embodies SOU’s commitment to serving our surrounding communities.”
For more information on the outreach program contact the Schneider Museum of Art at 541-552-6245.