When Dr. Jesse Longhurst stepped into the role of Dean of the School of Education, she didn’t hesitate to sacrifice the final third of her sabbatical to do so. Feeling she was the best person positioned for the challenge, her transition is a testament to SOU’s passionate and committed faculty.
Elliot Glenn grew up in Echo, Oregon, a town so small, she jokes, “You don’t usually have to go through it.” Today she’s a junior computer science major landing nationally competitive internships, publishing original cybersecurity research, and doing it all without a single student loan.
Isabella Amoth, a sophomore at SOU, embodies the ideal student-athlete. On the field, she commands the midfield for the SOU soccer team. In the classroom, she is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Science. Isabella’s success is rooted in her strong connection to her family, her rich cultural heritage, and the supportive environment at SOU.
Laura and Mike Naumes share a profound love for Oregon agriculture and community, which dates back to 1907 when Mike’s grandfather, J.P. Naumes, grew apples in Hood River. Mike’s father, Joe Naumes, started the present company, Naumes Inc., in 1946 after serving four years in the U.S. Navy.
SOU alumni often share that the university’s environment created pivotal moments that shaped their future, and that is just what happened with Lee Erickson ’71. For Lee, that “aha” moment happened during a recruiting visit by an Oregon state police officer. After testing the water as a summer cadet on the Oregon coast, Erickson began a 30-year career in law enforcement and public safety following graduation.
Matt Essieh ’82 MBA ’84 came to SOU as a young student unaware that his academic experience would lead him to find his true purpose in life. Matt grew up in a small rural farming community in Ghana where many did not have access to education. As luck would have it, he was chosen from 40 students in his class to attend a high school supported by three Peace Corps volunteers. Upon completion of that education, one of those volunteers—whose family lived in Grants Pass—facilitated his travel to southern Oregon where he enrolled at SOU.
For Ashland residents Ron and Katharine Lang, gratitude isn’t just a sentiment—it’s a way of life. Through giving, volunteering, and building local community, Katharine and Ron believe the fulfillment they receive from their actions is as great as the gifts they give.
Maisie, an Economics and Political Science student at SOU, had a very clear plan for her future. She narrowed her college search to four-year schools in Oregon that offered both an economics program and a wrestling team.