Leadership Excellence at Southern Oregon University

Patridge hired as SOU general counsel

November 29, 2022/in Campus News, Leadership

Rob Patridge, who has held several high-profile professional and public service positions throughout Oregon, has been hired following a nationwide search to become Southern Oregon University’s in-house attorney. He will begin work as SOU’s general counsel on Dec. 5. “Rob’s varied legal career has been punctuated by innovation and leadership, guiding his clients through situations […]

Solar power production to be supported by state grant

SOU to expand solar power, move toward energy independence

October 17, 2022/in Campus News, Leadership, Press Releases

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Oregon Department of Energy to expand solar power production on campus, in the next step toward its ambitious goal of becoming the first college or university in the U.S. to generate 100 percent of the electricity used on campus. The […]

Former SOU administrator and consultant appointed to Board of Trustees

September 26, 2022/in Campus News, Leadership, Press Releases

(Ashland, Ore.) — Liz Shelby, who retired from Southern Oregon University after serving as director of government relations and chief of staff, and lobbyist and government relations consultant Iris Maria Chávez have both been appointed by Gov. Kate Brown and confirmed today by the Oregon Senate to serve on the university’s Board of Trustees. They will […]

President Bailey lays out financial strategy to solidify SOU's operations

SOU prepares for strategic realignment to solidify financial future

September 20, 2022/in Campus News, Leadership, Press Releases

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey announced to employees today an emerging plan to address an outdated financial model that has left SOU and many other public higher education institutions relying too heavily on tuition revenue to balance their budgets. According to Bailey, the work over the next several months will be […]

SOU’s launch of new operating platform underway

August 26, 2022/in Campus News, Leadership, Press Releases

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University has begun a phased launch of a new operational software platform that is expected to eventually save the university more than $750,000 in recurring costs each year. It will improve user experiences and modernize processes for both students and employees. SOU’s shift to the Workday platform – which will […]

New director for Division of Education, Health and Leadership

North Carolina educator accepts SOU director position

August 23, 2022/in Academics, Leadership

(Ashland, Ore.) — Vance Durrington, currently a program coordinator at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, has accepted an offer to become director of Southern Oregon University’s Division of Education, Health and Leadership. He will begin work at SOU on Sept. 12. “We had an excellent group of finalists for this key position, and I […]

SOU ceremony in Guanajuato to honor Faffie Siekman and Juan Carlos Romero Hicks

SOU leaders to honor alumnus and friends of the university in Guanajuato ceremony

August 4, 2022/in Leadership, Press Releases, Recognitions

(Ashland, Ore.) — A contingent from Southern Oregon University will visit sister institution Universidad de Guanajuato in the coming days to present SOU’s highest service award to prominent Mexican politician and SOU alumnus Juan Carlos Romero Hicks and his wife, Frances “Faffie” Siekman Romero. “Juan Carlos and Faffie are true and longstanding friends of SOU […]

Ten SOU trustees appointed and confirmed

June 3, 2022/in Campus News, Leadership, Press Releases

(Ashland, Ore.) — Three new and seven continuing members have been appointed by Gov. Kate Brown and confirmed today by the Oregon Senate to serve on the Board of Trustees of Southern Oregon University. The new trustees are Brent Barry, superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District; SOU faculty member Andrew Gay; and SOU alumna Christina […]