SOU News Archives

Design Patterns and AI: Computer Science evolves at SOU

Design Patterns and AI: Computer Science evolves at SOU

(Ashland, Ore.) — A new “Design Patterns” course in Southern Oregon University’s Computer Science program leans on artificial intelligence to perform coding tasks, allowing students to focus on the big picture and serve as architects rather than carpenters. The course – an upper-division elective intended primarily for Computer Science majors – reflects an ongoing shift […]

SOU’s Small Business Development Center to close

SOU’s Small Business Development Center to close

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University’s Small Business Development Center, which has served Rogue Valley businesses for 41 years, will close to the public at the end of December after the university and state of Oregon were unable to reach agreement on a plan to maintain U.S. Small Business Administration funding for the center. SOU […]

SOU Ashland's Chandler Campbell and Jacob Nowack present research on artificial intelligence

Graduate and current student present SOU research at national conference

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University computer science graduate Chandler Campbell and current student Jacob Nowack attended a conference of research software engineers in Philadelphia last month to showcase their work on a pair of closely related projects that hinge on the use of artificial intelligence to simplify and organize highly complex research tasks. Campbell […]

New SOU Ashland program in Ghana funded by Matt and Ella Essieh.

Gift from SOU alumni leads to partnerships in Ghana

(Ashland, Ore.) — A couple who gained a global perspective and the academic foundation for success from their education at Southern Oregon University are funding a pilot project to provide similar opportunities for others, through a partnership between SOU and a pair of universities in the African country of Ghana. The program begins this academic […]

SOU Ashland steps up for special education teacher training

SOU expands special education to meet regional needs

Southern Oregon University’s School of Education is stepping up at a pivotal time for Oregon’s public schools, as the state faces a critical shortage of licensed special education teachers. Across southern Oregon, districts continue to post unfilled positions, rely on emergency or restricted licenses, and struggle to meet the needs of students with Individualized Education […]

Sheila Clough and husband Chris at Ashland Chamber of Commerce awards dinner

SOU board chair receives highest Chamber honor

SOU Board of Trustees Chair Sheila Clough was honored for her volunteerism and community service in a surprise presentation of the Honorary Life Member Award at last week’s 115th annual dinner of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. The award is the highest honor that the Ashland Chamber bestows on individuals. “Through her vision, her dedication […]

Three new members appointed to SOU Ashland Board of Trustees

Three new members appointed to SOU board

(Ashland, Ore.) — A local credit union president and CEO with extensive public service experience, a Southern Oregon University alumna and administrator, and a student in the SOU Master’s in Business Administration program have been appointed by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and confirmed today by the Oregon Senate to serve on the Southern Oregon University Board […]

SOU Ashland alumni awards recipients

Four to receive annual SOU alumni awards

(Ashland, Ore.) — This year’s Southern Oregon University alumni award winners will be a business lawyer who has conducted an investigation of Las Vegas city officials and managed litigation for a $4 billion real estate firm; a lifelong educator who has written three books and made more than 500 educational presentations; a former legislator who […]

SOU's Sojka and de Vries co-author book on transgender experiences

SOU faculty members co-author book on transgender experiences

(Ashland, Ore.) — SOU’s Carey Jean Sojka and Kylan Mattias de Vries – both faculty members in the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Program, and both previous recipients of the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award – have co-authored a new book about the identity experiences of transgender people. The book, “Transgender Intersections: Race and Gender through […]

SOU's Noah Horstman on Golf Digest list

SOU’s Horstman makes Golf Digest list

Noah Horstman, head coach for the SOU men’s and women’s golf teams, has been included in Golf Digest’s listing of “Best Teachers in Every State for 2026-27,” as voted by golf-instructing peers. Horstman, who operates the Golf Garage in Phoenix in addition to his SOU coaching duties, is one of eight instructors included in Golf Digest’s […]