SUMMER 2010 Ice age fossils provide glimpse of the past A year of records for Mountaineer athletics of Power Place PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE EOU President Bob Davies, Ph.D. Greetings alumni and friends, derive power. It It has been a year since I was honored, and is about the his- Vice President for University Advancement & Executive humbled, to assume the presidency of your uni- tory, traditions Director of the EOU Foundation versity. I have learned a great deal about what and stories of the Tim Seydel, ’89 makes EOU a truly magnifi cent institution of people, and even higher learning. It is only fi tting that this issue’s more importantly, Director of Development Programs theme is “Power of Place” as this is one impor- the outlook and Jon Larkin, ’01 tant element that makes Eastern unique. the shared dreams Since last July, I have tracked my travels we have. Managing Editor throughout the regions we serve and logged over By committing Laura Hancock 31,200 miles on my car. I have observed our geo- to our mission Graphic Designer graphic location in which we operate and clearly of accessibility, Kristin Summers the regions that we serve occupy a beautiful land- affordability and scape – from our campus in La Grande, to the 16 engagement, we are a central force that combines Contributors EOU Athletics sites and centers throughout the state. the beauty of location with our history and tradi- Chris Cronin During these trips I have visited with many tions and our sense of community to create a Rellani Ogumoro individuals: alumni, civic leaders, community sustainable future for our students and region. David Axelrod, Ph.D. members, students and soon-to-be students, farm- This is the “Power of Place” and the “Power ers, business owners and mayors. I learned about of Eastern.” their goals and passions, and despite their fears and frustrations, their excitement for the future. For many, “place” merely refers to our geo- graphic and physical location. The important Bob Davies lesson I have learned is that the people who have President, EOU developed the communities that thrive by foster- ing the meaning of the physical location also "The Mountaineer" is a free publication distributed to alumni and friends of EOU in partnership with the EOU Foundation. Vol. 18 Issue 1 Direct any correspondence to: "The Mountaineer" University Advancement One University Blvd. La Grande, OR 97850-2807 10 3 22 21 Phone: 541-962-3740 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS E-mail: [email protected] 10 EOU researchers investigate 1 Campus News Web site: www.eou.edu fossils discovered in the ©2010 Eastern Oregon University Grande Ronde Valley 3 Athletics 12 2009 EOU Foundation 16 Mountaineer Tracks If you have received this publication in error or want to be Annual Giving Report removed from the mailing list, 21 Donor Spotlight please call (541) 962-3740 or 22 Save the date! e-mail [email protected]. Homecoming 2010 In brief C a m p u s N e w s is a unique campus and I am learning a lot about EOU Foundation Trustees EOU names new provost 2009 – 10 Stephen Adkison, Ph.D., is the new provost and what makes EOU great.” Thomas said one of his biggest goals is to have James G. McMahan, ’76, senior vice president for Academic Affairs at EOU. President “Steve brings the most efficient application process possible. “Everyone is shopping now and we need to do Craig A. Nightingale, ’74, an excellent set of Vice President everything we can to help parents and families make leadership skills and Thomas A. Insko, ’94, the right decision,” Thomas said. “If we have all the experience to this posi- Secretary steps in place, they will know that Eastern is here and tion,” said Bob Davies, Julie Bodfish, ’83, EOU president. “His ready to deliver.” Treasurer dedication to openness, Thomas studied business at SOU and went on to Robert M. Allstott, ’85 transparency and inclu- complete the master’s of management program there. Cliff S. Bentz, ’74 siveness will serve our After graduation he began working as a counselor for Craig Braseth C. Joseph Grover students, faculty and SOU Admissions and later as associate director. Richard Hermens staff very well.” Learning the art of advocacy Jack L. Johnson, ’72 Adkison began his Deneil Hill was one of 20 female students from Steven J. Joseph, ’72 position at EOU on July 1. Prior to his appointment Kevin Loveland across the country to attend meetings of the United he was the associate provost/associate vice president James C. Lundy Nations in New York City this spring in conjunction for Academic Programming and Review at Idaho Colby Q. Marshall, ’99/OSU State University in Pocatello. with the Commission Robert K. Moody “I’m honored to be EOU’s next provost and on the Status of Women Gregory V. Smith, ’94 am deeply thrilled at the opportunity to work with (CSW). Hill was selected Bradford A. Stephens President Davies and the students, faculty and staff to participate in a practi- Arlene Young, ’53 across EOU,” Adkison said. “Eastern is a truly ex- cum program and re- Margaret B. Anderson ceptional institution with a singular history of meet- ceived temporary delegate Phyllis J. Arnst Audrey L. Carey ing educational and community needs throughout status at the U.N. This is Dorothy Cuthbert, ’61 the state of Oregon, and I am eager to join this long the second year a student Randy R. Dolven, ’67 tradition of service.” from Eastern has been selected to participate. David E. Gilbert Adkison received his bachelor’s in English and William E. Hermann While in New York, teaching from Montana State University. He com- Terry L. Lemon, ’69 Hill attended the Interna- pleted his master’s in English and writing and his Gail F. McAllister, ’64 Ph.D. in English, rhetoric and composition from the tional Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Burma. Melvin L. Ott, ’62 University of Nevada, Reno. Hearing first-hand the personal stories of struggle Valerie F. Royes, ’62 and perseverance of women from around the world Rodney T. Sands Associate Dean of Admissions joins EOU has left a lasting impression on her. It also helped Jack Schut, ’69 Carl Thomas has been named the new associate bring Hill’s senior thesis on rape as a war crime into Wayne R. Simonis, ’74 R. Doyle Slater dean of Admissions at EOU. He began his job June sharper focus. Robert Terry, ’51 1 after leaving his post “It was a very powerful and emotional experi- Debra, ’79, & Neil, ’77, Watterson as associate director of ence that really changed my perspective on feminist culture and the ‘sisterhood,’” Hill said. “All of the Dennis Wilkinson Admissions at Oregon State Joanne H. Wiseman, ’59 University. women were very close and they supported each other in a way I’ve never seen before.” Thomas worked in Cover photo by Laura Hancock: OSU Admissions for seven Hill shared more about her experience at the U.N. during the EOU Student Leadership Conference and Jay Van Tassell, professor of years and was at Southern geology, and EOU student Oregon University prior the Spring Symposium. She received her bachelor’s degree in history in June and plans to attend gradu- Ashley Cogburn remove debris to that. from a fossilized mammoth ate school and study women and gender history. “I am very excited to be tusk. The discovery of the tusks She is originally from Boulder, Colo. here,” Thomas said. “This and other bones is leading to significant research and discovery about the most recent For more EOU news go online to www.eou.edu. ice age in eastern Oregon. Summer 2010 – The Mountaineer 1 Campus News Clothesline Project raises awareness historic administration building. Fortis Construc- of the Astor Expedition that set out to reach the EOU’s Wellness Committee, Shelter from the tion, Inc. of Portland is the general contractor for Oregon coast in the early 1800s. The aging East Storm and the Sexual Assault Response Team the project. and West Dorion halls were demolished in the summer of 2009. joined together to raise awareness about sexual and EOU confers more than 600 degrees domestic violence in April, Sexual Assault Aware- this academic year The University that Works with You ness Month. The Clotheslines Project, Approximately 413 graduates donned cap and After completing several years of detailed re- a visual display that gown to march at EOU’s formal Commencement search and careful consideration, EOU has a new bears witness to vio- Ceremonies Saturday, slogan that defines its mission and goals: lence against victims June 12. The outdoor “The University that Works with You.” of sexual or physical event was held at Com- The brand promise was developed with the assault, was set up munity Stadium. assistance of Dr. Jim Black and SEM Works, a outside in the The 2010 Presi- consulting firm based in North Carolina which campus quad. dent’s Scholar, Tan- has been working with the school on enrollment T-shirts in the ner Denne, of Baker management. display were made City, addressed the “We interviewed students, prospects, alumni, in honor or memory graduating class. Paul faculty and staff and others to find out what of victims or survivors of sexual assault, rape, Kelly, president of the Eastern delivers,” said Tim Seydel, vice president incest, battery, hate crimes that target individuals State Board of Higher for University Advancement. “We found that Photo by Andrew Murray based on sexual orientation or perceived sexual Education, and John working with students to achieve their goals and orientation, physical assault, or those who have Turner, president of Blue dreams is what they all felt EOU was, and is, died from violence-related crimes.