From the President – March 6, 2025

Dear EOU Community,

It’s March and we’re planning to bring it in with cookies! Friday, March 7 is Employee Appreciation Day, and we’re having cookies at the top of the Grand Staircase between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to celebrate you! I hope you’ll join us for some good cheer and (hopefully) sunshine. Our inclement weather day plan is to meet in the Inlow Boardroom.

We’ve had a really busy month advocating for Higher Education funding. Several EOU students testified (1:22 mark) at the House Higher Education Committee to share how Strong Start funding enabled their transition to EOU. Kathleen Brown and I testified (32:25 mark) in support of our Early College Initiatives bill, and Dr. Hope Schuerman and student Lisa Whipple testified (22:37 mark) in support of a Behavioral Health Bill. Dean Scott McConnell testified (15:58) on our Adults in Custody Bill yesterday. As you read this, VP Seydel and I are in Washington, DC meeting with the Oregon Federal Delegation on behalf of EOU.

We’ve also been spending time with some EOU donors and supporters . Our Foundation and Alumni Boards met, and we hosted a social for our President’s Circle donors at an EOU basketball game. The following evening we hosted donors in Portland at a Trail Blazers game. We had the pleasure of talking with Senator Kate Lieber while there. We’re grateful for Moda Senior Vice President Robin Richardson’s generosity and for Trustee Chuck Hofmann helping us make connections. 

I really enjoyed the recent opportunities to gather as a community at the Koffee with Kelly and in University Updates. University Updates was particularly important as we discussed the changing of the federal and state landscape. I had fun connecting with students at our Valentines S’mores Event, Brain Break Campus Vitality Event, and in a meeting with the Association of Student Athletes. The student-athletes shared their hopes and challenges, as well as how appreciative they are of the faculty and staff who support them on their journeys. I’m also impressed with the way they support each other, both at games and by focusing on mental wellness. 

Professor Kelly McNeil and her intern, Katie Brown, have created some really great events and activities to support students, staff, and faculty, including the Stress Less Event today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Soon, Professor McNeil and her class will be releasing a free Canvas site to students to help them manage stress, lack of sleep, and physical wellness. They are also working on a project to engage faculty and staff with similar issues, so look out for information soon. 

Of course, there are loads of other wonderful things happening. The EOU Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams both advanced to the CCC Quarterfinals, while the Women’s and Men’s Wrestling teams competed at the CCC Championships, where the women’s wrestling team was recognized with a Sportsmanship Award. Each wrestling team has six qualifiers advancing to the upcoming NAIA Championships. Additionally, the Women’s and Men’s Indoor Track & Field teams competed at the NAIA Indoor National Championships, where five Mounties earned All-American honors.

All of these efforts are a good reminder that we don’t have to wait for the storms to pass – we can take action to support ourselves, each other and create community. Thank you for being champions of the work we do, and I hope to see you on Friday to celebrate you!

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President