SOU Student Life

SOU Commencement 2024

SOU Commencement: good weather and optimism

SOU’s 98th Commencement Ceremony on June 15 centered squarely on those receiving about 1,300 bachelor’s and master’s degrees – and on the recipient of a rare, honorary doctorate in humane letters. Sid DeBoer, who guided Lithia Motors from a single dealership in Ashland to the largest automotive retailer in the U.S., was honored for his […]

The Farm at SOU prepares for CSA season

Cultivating community: The Farm at SOU

The Farm at Southern Oregon University is currently growing a variety of crops including kale, radishes, potatoes, asparagus, garlic and onions, despite recent weather adversities – signaling a promising start to the upcoming Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) season. Recent potato plantings marked a significant step toward fulfilling the summer 2024 CSA Program, a cornerstone initiative […]

first-generation student goes beyond expectations

Soon-to-be graduate goes beyond first-generation expectations

(Ashland, Ore.) — To describe Nansi Cortes simply as a first-generation college student and soon-to-be Southern Oregon University graduate would ignore both her personal history and her family’s unwavering support. Nansi’s immigrant parents, whom she said had “lower than a grade school education,” were nonetheless aware of education’s potential impact on their children. So they […]

Limited membership club question posed to SOU students

Student input sought on “limited membership” clubs

SOU students are being asked to weigh in on a proposal – prompted by a request from a group interested in bringing the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity to campus – to allow “groups that have limited membership” to be recognized as student clubs. The student government, Associated Students of Southern Oregon, is offering question-and-answer […]

SOU Valorant Esports team has successful season

SOU Valorant Esports team completes successful season

SOU’s Valorant Esports team recently completed its best year of competition by finishing its regular season with six wins and one loss and then making it to the semifinals of its post-season Nace Starleague Open + tournament. The SOU team won its quarterfinal match, 2-0, against Connecticut’s University of New Haven before losing in the semifinals, […]

Xanadu production by SOU Theatre Department

Xanadu: Greek Gods, scrunchies, roller skates

What happens when you combine Mt. Olympus, 80’s outfits, and chalk murals? SOU Theatre presents “Xanadu,” a musical about art, inspiration, and ridiculousness—all on roller skates. The neon-colored-plot follows Sonny (played by Aidan Jenkins), a struggling artist whose inspiration is running low until he meets Kira (played by Corrine Maddox)—or, Kleio, a Greek muse who […]

Film showcase "Your Fate is Booked" by Ariel Himanek

Digital Cinema students to showcase films

Members of the SOU community are invited to enjoy the premieres of 20 short films when students of the Digital Cinema Production course (DCIN 203) present their class projects at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in the Art Building’s Meese Auditorium. The Fall Digital Cinema Student Showcase is free and open to the public. […]

SOU Office of Student Belonging and Engagement

SOU’s new Office of Student Belonging and Engagement (BE)

Southern Oregon University students searching for Student Activities, SJEC, ASSOU, New Student Programs, EPIC, the Food Pantry, Stevenson Union and information on general campus involvement can now turn to a single source: the new Office of Student Belonging and Engagement, located in the former Student Activities suite (Stevenson Union 312). Belonging and Engagement, affectionately acronymized […]

SOU students in Nepal during OAL trip

Students in SOU’s OAL program visit Nepal and Turkey/Greece

SOU’s Outdoor Adventure Leadership program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to major in the outdoors and experience unique opportunities such as the International Expedition – which culminated last summer in separate trips to Nepal and to Turkey and Greece. A total of 14 undergraduate students, seven graduate students and three faculty members made one […]

Students work at Innovation Jam

Innovation Jam draws 30-plus students

More than 30 Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College students gathered at CraterWorks Makerspace on Saturday, Nov. 4, for the second annual Southern Oregon Innovation Jam. Students participated in design thinking exercises, created big ideas to solve local problems and pitched solutions, while local business professionals and entrepreneurs were on hand to guide students […]