2011 Alumni Award Recipients

2011 Alumni Award Recipients

Fred Hill

Distinguished Alumni Award

Fred Hill, of La Grande, is a World War II veteran, noted photographer, historian and devoted EOU supporter. In 2010 he donated his entire collection of WWII images to Pierce Library, enabling more than 1,000 historical negatives to be digitized and accessible to the public via a searchable online archive.

Hill’s photographs have appeared in 14 different books including his self-published title “Darkroom Soldier.” He grew up in Elgin, studied photography under Minor White and also attended EOU. In 1940 he left college to serve as a sergeant and photo lab chief with the 17th Tactical Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fifth Air Force. From 1943-45, he documented life behind the scenes in the South Pacific Theater.

After the war, Hill enrolled at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco where he studied with renowned landscape photographer, Ansel Adams. At the conclusion of a successful 39-year career as a commercial photographer, he returned to Union County and continues to do freelance work. This year Hill and several other original members of the Oregon Air National Guard were honored at the organization’s 70th anniversary celebration.

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Nellie Bogue-Hibbert

Dixie Lund Service Award

Nellie Bogue-Hibbert, of La Grande, is a prolific leader in the community. During her four-year term as Union County Commissioner, EOU’s sustainability became a personal priority and the University-County Connections Committee was founded as a result of her efforts. Representatives from the public and private sector came together under her leadership with the goal of bringing more students to EOU’s campus and establishing stronger connections with current students in the community.Education is important to Bogue-Hibbert’s family. Growing up on a cattle ranch in rural Oregon taught the value of hard work at an early age. She went on to attend Eastern in 1968 while raising three young children, and her oldest daughter graduated from EOU. On behalf of the university, Bogue-Hibbert assisted in organizing a caravan of students and business leaders to testify before the state legislature about the importance of the university on a local and regional level. Now retired, Bogue-Hibbert’s professional experience includes serving as Union County Clerk for 22 years. She also was a court administrator and trial court clerk of the 10th Judicial District for Union and Wallowa counties.

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Jim Lundy

Honorary Alumnus Award and Grand Marshall

Jim Lundy, of Cove, first came to EOU 44 years ago, when he became the university’s business manager and later dean of finance and administration. During his tenure he played an integral role in building EOU’s business program and taught accounting, personal finance and money management courses. He also worked with new student recruitment efforts and was the coach for Eastern’s intercollegiate rodeo program for 25 years, earning him a spot in the Mountaineer Athletic Hall of Fame. He is currently a Buckskin-level member of the Mountaineer Athletic Association. A passionate advocate for the community, Lundy served 10 years as a Cove City Council member and is currently in his third year as the town’s mayor. Prior to moving to Cove he was a member of the Island City Council. A host of other activities include Lundy’s support of the Union County 4-H group as a member of the Blue Mt. 4-H Center Board since early in its establishment. Lundy directs summer youth Bible camps and has done so for the past 30 years. He is also a member of the VFW High Valley Post 4060, having served in the U.S. Army in Korea. In 1968 Lundy became the treasurer and accountant for the EOU Foundation. He has since seen the non-profit organization’s endowment grow from $750 to $8 million. His presence spans more than half the life of the university and he is still actively involved, serving as chair of the Foundation’s Finance and Investment Committee.