Press Releases

SOU embraces energy resilience with new solar projects

SOU expands solar and energy resilience footprint

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University has embraced its role as an energy resilience leader in the region – supporting both the SOU community and the surrounding community – by completing two new solar arrays and installing its first battery system for energy storage. The moves edge SOU closer to its goal of generating 100% […]

Philanthropy accounts for second-highest total ever in 2025

Fiscal year 2025 among best for SOU philanthropy

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University continued its historic fundraising run in fiscal year 2025, raising $14.17 million. The philanthropic total for FY25 is the second-highest annual total ever raised for the university; in fiscal year 2023, the university raised more than $19 million, including $10 million from Lithia Motors and Green Cars. “We’re generating […]

SOU Digital Cinema makes MovieMaker list of top film schools

SOU Digital Cinema named to national Top 30

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University’s Digital Cinema program has been ranked among the nation’s Top 30 film schools by MovieMaker Magazine for the second consecutive year – a recognition of SOU’s role in preparing Oregon’s next generation of creative professionals. MovieMaker cited SOU Digital Cinema’s distinctive blend of hands-on training, industry partnerships and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The program emphasizes […]

Grant for SOU Ashland to develop accessible tourism for state of Oregon.

SOU receives grant to develop accessible tourism

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University has received an $89,745 grant from Travel Oregon to develop an accessibility training program for tourism business leaders, with the goal of ensuring that all visitors to the state – including those with disabilities – feel valued and welcome. The initiative is further supported by a $5,000 grant from […]

Creative Industries will be consolidated at SOU Ashland

Creative Industries project gains legislative funding

Southern Oregon University is celebrating a piece of its future by acknowledging the Oregon Legislature’s recent approval of $40 million in capital construction bonds to update and consolidate SOU’s facilities for creative industries – music, media and film. The cross-disciplinary project will transform the university’s programs and help secure Oregon’s future as a national leader […]

SOU Ashland will rebuild itself, President Rick Bailey announced

SOU announces plan to rebuild itself in response to fiscal crises

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey announced today that the university will rebuild itself as an institution with a target of a $60 million annual budget – 15% lower than its current total – in response to devastating funding trends at both the state and federal levels. The university will rely, in […]

Town hall at SOU Ashland with Attorney General Dan Rayfield

SOU to facilitate AG’s town hall

(Ashland, Ore.) — Oregon Attorney Dan Rayfield will hold a town hall event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Rogue River Room of Southern Oregon University’s Stevenson Union. The event – part of the Rayfield’s ongoing series of “Safeguarding Oregon: Federal Oversight” meetings – will feature a panel with the attorney general, State […]

NSF grant on grasshoppers awarded to SOU Ashland biologist

SOU biologist receives NSF grant for grasshopper research

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University biologist Jacob Youngblood has been awarded a three-year, $422,183 grant from the National Science Foundation to study how insects respond to two aspects of climate change – rising air temperatures and declining plant nutrients – potentially improving pest management strategies and forecasts of insect-related damage nationwide. The study will […]

Solar energy project approved by students at SOU Ashland

SOU students step up for solar energy project

(Ashland, Ore.) — A solar energy project approved recently by Southern Oregon University’s student government will generate both electricity and a steady flow of income for the university’s Student Food Pantry. The Associated Students of SOU gave the go-ahead to spend $91,768 from the ASSOU Green Fund on a sustainability student’s proposal to replace an […]

SOULA receives grant to create historic plastics database

SOU awarded grant to create historic plastics database

(Ashland, Ore.) — The Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology has been awarded a Preserving Oregon Grant from Oregon Heritage, the state historic preservation office, to create a digital, archaeological database of historic plastics – from buttons to knick-knacks to kitchenware. The $13,000 grant will help pay for new camera equipment that will be used […]