Message from the Chair of the Foundation Board

Season’s greetings fellow alumni, colleagues, and friends,

As we come towards the close of another year, we give thanks for the many blessings we have – our students have successfully completed the fall term, our faculty and staff continue making Eastern a world-class experience, and our programs continue to thrive.

I have had the distinct privilege of serving on the EOU Foundation Board for five years, and I am completing my second year of service as the Chair of the Board.  We have tremendous support and have seen some really exciting progress on major projects and campaigns.

These projects – from the Fieldhouse, with the Neely Health and Human Performance Center, to the launch of new programs, like the Agriculture-Entrepreneurship degree, to bringing baseball back to EOU – are what keeps us moving forward.  The university constantly strives to not only meet the needs of our current students, but also to meet ongoing needs of the economies, ecosystems, and communities we serve.  The EOU Foundation, with your support, provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to EOU students and helps make these projects a reality.

But, at the center of all of this – the people.  The people who work tirelessly and are so committed to ensuring these projects can take shape.  Those who have stepped up and provided support, pledges, donations – these are the people who keep us going.  These are the true inspiration.  You’re about to see real gifts from real people and the impact these have.  As one student said – “We’re working hard for them because of what they have already done for us” – and that rings so true.  Your gifts make an impact.  Your gift matters.  To me.  To the Foundation.  To the students.  To the university.

Wishing you the best and brightest this holiday season,

Mark Pearson | ‘77

Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors