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In March 2020, EOU transitioned all spring term courses to remote-access in response to the quickly spreading coronavirus pandemic. Students, employees, alumni and stakeholders created new ways of teaching, learning, leading and interacting as the world went into lockdown.
As people emerged, they did so with a new set of habits. Face coverings, physical distance and take-out became ubiquitous with everyday life. The Mountaineer spirit of resilience and innovation has never shone out so clearly.
Hear from more members of the EOU community and add your story at eou.edu/coronavirus/eou-story-map.
“Quarantine and the cancellation of in-person classes led to my moving back home to Willowcreek to be with my family. This sudden and unexpected change was tough on me as I was enjoying my independence and freedom in La Grande. However, spending time with my family has been wonderful, as my brother and cousins are all out of school. Being able to work on my family’s farm and ranch every day has been quite relaxing. This pandemic has changed the way EOU, America and the world operates, in this time of uncertainty it is critical to hold onto family, community and friends.”Emma Kindschy (Student)Vale, Oregon
“Quarantine and the cancellation of in-person classes led to my moving back home to Willowcreek to be with my family. This sudden and unexpected change was tough on me as I was enjoying my independence and freedom in La Grande. However, spending time with my family has been wonderful, as my brother and cousins are all out of school. Being able to work on my family’s farm and ranch every day has been quite relaxing. This pandemic has changed the way EOU, America and the world operates, in this time of uncertainty it is critical to hold onto family, community and friends.”
“One of my students, Gloria Wagner, completed her degree during winter term. Gloria is an exceptional student. She finished her degree with a 4.0 EOU GPA and an overall GPA of 3.770. While that in itself is an accomplishment, her most outstanding attribute is that Gloria is 81 years old!”Kerrie Wylam (Staff)Roseburg, Oregon
“One of my students, Gloria Wagner, completed her degree during winter term. Gloria is an exceptional student. She finished her degree with a 4.0 EOU GPA and an overall GPA of 3.770. While that in itself is an accomplishment, her most outstanding attribute is that Gloria is 81 years old!”
“I attempted to offer the best remote learning for my students, and provide them with support as needed. I am following the guidelines set forth by the government agencies for social distancing. I volunteered with the high school graduation planning and assisted with the construction of infrastructure for the virtual graduation. I have been supporting my family and their needs as well.”David Ford (Student)Central Point, Oregon
“I attempted to offer the best remote learning for my students, and provide them with support as needed. I am following the guidelines set forth by the government agencies for social distancing. I volunteered with the high school graduation planning and assisted with the construction of infrastructure for the virtual graduation. I have been supporting my family and their needs as well.”
“I have been volunteering at a local food bank. It has been great to see all of the extra donations during this time!”Jessica Coughlin (Faculty)Bend, Oregon
“I have been volunteering at a local food bank. It has been great to see all of the extra donations during this time!”
“Now that I have become an RA, COVID-19 has heavily impacted the way that programs and physical interactions take place. For instance, residents will not be able to go inside other halls or into other individuals rooms/suites. A positive take away is being able to be creative. In other words, finding alternatives for programming to make sure we are abiding by mask/social distancing guidelines. Additionally, finding other ways to create that community within your own hall and floor. This experience has and will continue to challenge me throughout the year and I’m excited to have this leadership opportunity during a global pandemic.”Joseph O’Brien (Student)Boardman, Oregon
“Now that I have become an RA, COVID-19 has heavily impacted the way that programs and physical interactions take place. For instance, residents will not be able to go inside other halls or into other individuals rooms/suites. A positive take away is being able to be creative. In other words, finding alternatives for programming to make sure we are abiding by mask/social distancing guidelines. Additionally, finding other ways to create that community within your own hall and floor. This experience has and will continue to challenge me throughout the year and I’m excited to have this leadership opportunity during a global pandemic.”
“Dan and I have been taking walks together. I’ve been restoring Orff instruments for teachers as Dan learns Spanish. Each night my friend calls and we pray for first responders, safety, support for all and wisdom for a cure.” Dan and Ann Hutchinson (Alumni)Boise, Idaho
“Dan and I have been taking walks together. I’ve been restoring Orff instruments for teachers as Dan learns Spanish. Each night my friend calls and we pray for first responders, safety, support for all and wisdom for a cure.”
“I had recently accepted a position as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer to serve in Peru another year as an At-Risk Youth Social Reintegration Specialist, but with COVID there was no post to go back to…. I now work as a Mentor in Outdoor Recreation Therapy for a residential young adult transition program! I am planning on staying with this company to grow as an individual in this industry, learn about somatic outdoor therapy and finish school. I plan to focus on mental health, while advocating to increase access to outdoor recreational activities for all.” Alondra Esquival (Alumna)
“I had recently accepted a position as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer to serve in Peru another year as an At-Risk Youth Social Reintegration Specialist, but with COVID there was no post to go back to…. I now work as a Mentor in Outdoor Recreation Therapy for a residential young adult transition program! I am planning on staying with this company to grow as an individual in this industry, learn about somatic outdoor therapy and finish school. I plan to focus on mental health, while advocating to increase access to outdoor recreational activities for all.”
“Ceramic artists have a love-hate relationship with the material because the limitations and the resistance of the material is the thing that actually allows you to do more while pushing against the boundaries. Bouncing off the walls of our limitations sets up the failures that lead to our next big idea. These new boundaries limit us, but how can we use those parameters in a way that’s exciting? This is going to force some really interesting changes society-wide.” Nate Prouty (Faculty)La Grande, Oregon
“Ceramic artists have a love-hate relationship with the material because the limitations and the resistance of the material is the thing that actually allows you to do more while pushing against the boundaries. Bouncing off the walls of our limitations sets up the failures that lead to our next big idea. These new boundaries limit us, but how can we use those parameters in a way that’s exciting? This is going to force some really interesting changes society-wide.”
“I never expected my first year as a nurse to include a pandemic – one where I began to care for only one type of patient that can present, decline, and improve in a multitude of ways,” said Christensen. “I never expected to gain some of the experiences I have so fresh in my career and yet being thrown into the fire has allowed me to learn and be witness to some of the most interesting medical interventions.”Sierra Christensen (Alumna)Tri-Cities, Washington
“I never expected my first year as a nurse to include a pandemic – one where I began to care for only one type of patient that can present, decline, and improve in a multitude of ways,” said Christensen. “I never expected to gain some of the experiences I have so fresh in my career and yet being thrown into the fire has allowed me to learn and be witness to some of the most interesting medical interventions.”
“Virtual Preview Day was the most rewarding admissions event I’ve ever been a part of. It went really well and the student engagement was incredible. Students and families from Saipan, Colombia, New Jersey and Georgia joined us! Most times, families from distant locations can’t attend an on-campus event, but taking it online eliminated the barriers to visiting EOU.”Genesis Meaderds (Staff)La Grande, Oregon
“Virtual Preview Day was the most rewarding admissions event I’ve ever been a part of. It went really well and the student engagement was incredible. Students and families from Saipan, Colombia, New Jersey and Georgia joined us! Most times, families from distant locations can’t attend an on-campus event, but taking it online eliminated the barriers to visiting EOU.”
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