SOU Giving

Recent Stories & News

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First Generation Scholar’s Journey to SOU: A Bright Future Fueled by the Lithia & Driveway Scholarship

December 6, 2024/in Impact Stories, LAD Scholar, Scholarships, Student Services

Layla Gross, a first-year student from Medford, Oregon, is carving a unique path for herself at SOU. As a first-generation scholar with a passion for business and an ambition for leadership, Layla is incredibly grateful for the Lithia & Driveway scholarship that has made her academic dreams a reality.

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Love for Theatre and Community Lead to New Scholarship

December 6, 2024/in Annual Report, Donors, Gifts, Impact Stories, Scholarships

Shared passion is often one value that holds a couple together—and Linda Hammer-Brown and David Brown are no exception to this truism. Their collective passion for the arts and a strong devotion to service have translated into a philanthropic commitment to SOU’s theatre program. The couple established a scholarship to support students from historically underrepresented communities or those students who face significant challenges in attending college.

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New Fund Supports Summer STEM Research Experience

December 6, 2024/in Annual Report, Donors, Education, Impact Stories, Scholarships, STEM

Gary Conner was known for his curiosity and his ability to fix or create anything on the spot. In fact, his wife, Cassie, describes a time when they traveled to Ecuador and he fixed a local man’s prosthetic arm in just a few hours—without any prior knowledge of its workings. That’s the kind of mind Gary had, and he loved to share his knowledge with young science lovers.

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DeArmond Foundation Supports Working Students

December 6, 2024/in Academic Programs, Annual Report, Donors, Impact Stories, Scholarships

Bob DeArmond was a philanthropist at heart—his passion was to give back to his community and champion initiatives that uplifted others. Along with Leona, his wife of 65 years, the DeArmonds were a driving force for good in the Rogue Valley. Their belief in the power of education was profound, and they dedicated themselves to creating opportunities for young people to succeed.

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Power of Education Inspires Philanthropy

December 6, 2024/in Academic Programs, Annual Report, Athletics, Donors, Impact Stories, Scholarship

More Impact Stories

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Pedaling Towards Purpose: How Donor Support is Revolutionizing Outdoor Education at SOU

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Scholar. Athlete. Changemaker: How Philanthropy Fuels Real-World Learning at SOU

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Brad Dahlin Finds Belonging at SOU as an Olsrud Scholar and Communicator

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A First-Generation Scholar’s Path to Innovation

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The SOU Food Pantry: Resiliency in Action and a Cornerstone of Student Success

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From First-Generation College Student to Future Officer

Scholar-Athlete Sierra Sam Fong Makes Her Mark in the Classroom and on the Soccer Field

A Planned Gift Will Support Future Generations of Raiders

SOU’s Innovation & Leadership Program: A Catalyst for Community and Career Growth

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A Scholar’s Story: Felipe Garcia-Fisher’s Pursuit of Academic Excellence

Gift to Music Honors Donor’s Agricultural Heritage

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SOU Student’s Passion for AI Drives Community Innovation

Honors College Scholar Taylor Jackson Balancing Brilliance on the Court and in the Lab Learn More

Honors College Scholar Taylor Jackson: Balancing Brilliance on the Court and in the Lab

Thomas Eldridge Painting SOU ALUM

A Legacy for the Arts: Artist & SOU Alum Leaves Bequest to Schneider Museum of Art

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Finding a Place to Belong at SOU: Leader & Basketball Athlete Theodore Reid

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From the Softball Diamond to the Lab: Kierstin Grotewiel’s Journey in Science and Softball

LAD Scholar Dev Kapil From India to Southern Oregon University On Facebook

Lithia & Driveway Scholar Dev Kapil: Fostering Community While Excelling in Academics

LAD Scholar Fiasamoa Faasauvale Finding Belonging Opportunity at SOU

Lithia & Driveway Scholar Finds Belonging & Opportunity at SOU

Sustaining the Arts and Beyond Donor Gives Charitable Gift Annuity to SOU Read More

Sustaining the Arts and Beyond: Donor Gives Charitable Gift Annuity to SOU

Exploring Possibilities in Research Southern Oregon University Summer Research Experience Read More

Exploring Possibilities in Research: SOU’s Summer Research Experience

SOU Nurturing Minds and Expanding Knowledge Dale Vidmar Establishes Library Scholarship Read More

Nurturing Minds and Expanding Knowledge: Dale Vidmar Establishes Library Scholarship

Embracing the Aloha Spirit and Finding the Best in Others SOU Read More

Embracing the Aloha Spirit and Finding the Best in Others

2023 Impact of Giving: The SOU Foundation Annual Report

Spotlight on Creativity Athletics LAD Scholar Embraces Her First Year at SOU Read More

Spotlight on Creativity & Athletics: LAD Scholar Embraces Her First-Year at SOU

Cultivating Student Leadership at SOU: Tiana Gilliland’s Scholarly Achievement and Leadership Development

Legacy Gift Will Foster Sense of Belonging and Community at SOU Read More

Legacy Gift Will Foster Sense of Belonging and Community

Building a Sustainable Future Historic Gift from Alumnus Bryan DeBoer Read More

Building a Sustainable Future: Historic Gift from Alumnus Bryan DeBoer

SOU-Welcomes-First Generation Scholarship Student Mayra Sanchez Contreras to Campus Read More

SOU Welcomes First Generation Scholarship Student Mayra Sanchez Contreras to Campus

Inspiring Change Agents Mentorship Propels Emerging Native Scholar Journey Read More

Inspiring Change Agents: Mentorship Propels Emerging Native Scholar’s Journey

Scholarships Propel Nikita Bazarsky Toward Bright Future in Business Computer Science Read More

Scholarships Propel Nikita Bazarsky Toward a Bright Future in Business & Computer Science

Where Faculty Mentorship Philanthropy Meet Dennis Slattery Lifelong Commitment toSOU

Where Faculty Mentorship & Philanthropy Meet: Dennis Slattery’s Lifelong Commitment to SOU

Fostering Belonging Native Youth Thrive at Konaway Nika Tillicum at SOU Read More

Fostering Belonging: Native Youth Thrive at Konaway Nika Tillicum at SOU

Student Grows Into Remarkable Leadership by Creating Community Learn More

Student Grows Into Remarkable Leadership by Creating Community

Small Campus, Big Connections: Student Athlete Discovers Exciting Career in STEM

The Path to Growth First Generation Student Beautiful Journey Read More

The Path to Growth: First Generation Student’s Beautiful Journey

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Building Community & Resiliency for Underrepresented Students

Lithia & GreenCars Pledge Historic Commitment

Retired Surgeon Creates Endowment for Faculty-Student Chemistry Research

Legendary Wrestling Coach Creates Legacy

Family Tradition Inspires ROTC Scholarship

Bridging the Gap: Donors Support SOU’s Bridge Program

A Learning Legacy: Family Establishes Education Scholarship

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Gift Provides a Helping Hand to SOU CARES Program

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SOU Cares Program Helps Students When It’s Needed Most

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Rogue Credit Union & SOU Partnership Energizes the Rogue Valley

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A Passion for Innovation: New Endowment for Business Students

Donor Shares Her Love of SOU and the Arts