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.
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/sou-theatre-scholarship-featured-image.jpg6751200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-12-06 08:58:062024-12-06 08:58:06Love for Theatre and Community Lead to New Scholarship
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.
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.
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bob-leona-featured-image.jpg6751200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-12-06 08:57:222024-12-06 08:57:22DeArmond Foundation Supports Working Students
Kristy Henshaw Denman’s journey from a Willamette Valley farm to a passionate supporter of Southern Oregon University exemplifies the power of family and its influence on one’s aspirations. Growing up on the family farm near Brownsville, Kristy found inspiration in music, a passion ignited by her father. It was a love for music and children that led her to SOU, where she pursued a degree in education with a music specialist concentration.
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/naumes-learn-more.jpg10801920Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-12-17 10:31:042025-12-17 10:31:04Naumes Family Scholarship Cultivates New Business Leaders
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/erickson-learn-more.jpg10801920Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-12-17 10:30:472025-12-17 10:30:47Criminology Scholarship Follows Career in Law Enforcement
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/essieh-learn-more-global-exchange.jpg10801920Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-12-17 10:30:262025-12-17 10:30:26New Exchange Program to Bring Global Opportunity to SOU
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/inspired-gratitude-learn-more.jpg10801920Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-12-17 10:30:122025-12-17 10:30:12Inspired By Gratitude: The Langs Make a Meaningful Gift to SOU
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/carpenter-learn-more.jpg10801920Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-12-17 10:29:282025-12-17 10:29:28Carpenter Foundation Giving Supports Faculty Development
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ucam-learn-more.jpg6751200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-07-30 12:16:232025-07-30 12:46:45The University Coaching & Mentoring Program: Empowering Students Through Mentorship at SOU
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/franco-learn-more.jpg6681187Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-07-15 09:47:332025-07-30 12:22:29Scholar. Athlete. Changemaker: How Philanthropy Fuels Real-World Learning at SOU
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/learn-more.jpg6541162Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-07-12 12:01:562025-07-30 12:18:16Pedaling Towards Purpose: How Donor Support is Revolutionizing Outdoor Education at SOU
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/featured-image.jpg6751200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-07-11 12:18:422025-07-11 12:25:06Critical Scholarships Guide Danni Neis to Advocacy and Graduation
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/bard-dahlin-learn-more.jpg6751200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-05-22 11:52:412025-05-22 11:56:00Brad Dahlin Finds Belonging at SOU as an Olsrud Scholar and Communicator
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/learn-more-sou-food-pantry.jpg450800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-02-24 11:05:362025-02-26 11:26:25The SOU Food Pantry: Resiliency in Action and a Cornerstone of Student Success
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/sierra-sam-fong-featured-image.jpg451800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-02-01 14:09:212025-02-24 11:06:26Scholar-Athlete Sierra Sam Fong Makes Her Mark in the Classroom and on the Soccer Field
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20240701_144117.jpg811800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2025-01-31 09:09:302025-02-06 10:16:39A Planned Gift Will Support Future Generations of Raiders
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/featured_image_INL.jpg450800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-12-06 08:59:162025-01-09 14:12:53SOU’s Innovation & Leadership Program: A Catalyst for Community and Career Growth
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/layla-gross-lad-scholar-4.jpg450800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-12-06 08:58:212024-12-06 09:00:04First Generation Scholar’s Journey to SOU: A Bright Future Fueled by the Lithia & Driveway Scholarship
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/sou-student-ai-community-innvoation-learn-more.jpg6751200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-11-04 10:58:472024-11-07 09:38:41SOU Student’s Passion for AI Drives Community Innovation
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Honors-College-Scholar-Taylor-Jackson-Balancing-Brilliance-on-the-Court-and-in-the-Lab-Read-More-2.jpg6311122Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-06-19 10:18:452024-09-25 12:09:35Honors College Scholar Taylor Jackson: Balancing Brilliance on the Court and in the Lab
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Thomas-Eldridge-Painting-SOU-ALUM.jpg450800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-06-11 11:58:002024-06-11 15:24:57A Legacy for the Arts: Artist & SOU Alum Leaves Bequest to Schneider Museum of Art
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Finding-a-Place-to-Belong-at-SOU-Featured-Image.jpg450800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-05-16 11:17:282024-05-16 11:17:28Finding a Place to Belong at SOU: Leader & Basketball Athlete Theodore Reid
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kierstin-Groteweil-Scholarship-Impact-Athletics-Academics-Featured-Image-1.jpg12002134Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-04-08 12:36:522024-04-08 12:58:58From the Softball Diamond to the Lab: Kierstin Grotewiel’s Journey in Science and Softball
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LAD-Scholar-Dev-Kapil-From-India-to-Southern-Oregon-University-On-Facebook.jpg450800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-03-18 12:23:132024-04-04 13:17:51Lithia & Driveway Scholar Dev Kapil: Fostering Community While Excelling in Academics
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sustaining-the-Arts-and-Beyond-Donor-Gives-Charitable-Gift-Annuity-to-SOU-Read-More.jpg4321024Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2024-01-25 10:45:172024-08-08 13:49:11Sustaining the Arts and Beyond: Donor Gives Charitable Gift Annuity to SOU
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Embracing-the-Aloha-Spirit-and-Finding-the-Best-in-Others-Read-More.jpg4321024Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-12-04 09:32:022024-08-30 13:29:25Embracing the Aloha Spirit and Finding the Best in Others
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lithia-Bryan-DeBoer-1-scaled-1.jpg495800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-11-27 15:07:082023-12-15 14:07:452023 Impact of Giving: The SOU Foundation Annual Report
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spotlight-on-Creativity-Athletics-LAD-Scholar-Embraces-Her-First-Year-at-SOU-Read-More.jpg6751200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-11-22 11:06:572024-02-26 13:34:09Spotlight on Creativity & Athletics: LAD Scholar Embraces Her First-Year at SOU
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Legacy-Gift-Will-Foster-Sense-of-Belonging-and-Community-at-SOU-Read-More-1.jpg6751200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-11-07 10:31:362024-04-02 12:41:50Legacy Gift Will Foster Sense of Belonging and Community
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Building-a-Sustainable-Future-Historic-Gift-from-Alumnus-Bryan-DeBoer-Read-More.jpg4321024Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-11-07 10:31:272024-04-02 12:42:57Building a Sustainable Future: Historic Gift from Alumnus Bryan DeBoer
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Fostering-Belonging-Native-Youth-Thrive-at-Konaway-Nika-Tillicum-at-Read-More.jpg1101800Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-08-21 14:25:562024-01-17 14:05:07Fostering Belonging: Native Youth Thrive at Konaway Nika Tillicum at SOU
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Student-Grows-Into-Remarkable-Leadership-by-Creating-Community.jpg9001200Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-05-30 09:17:412024-01-18 15:18:21Student Grows Into Remarkable Leadership by Creating Community
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Robby-Running-3-edit.jpg583600Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-05-22 11:30:162023-10-17 11:17:31Small Campus, Big Connections: Student Athlete Discovers Exciting Career in STEM
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Building-Community-and-Resiliency-600.jpg450600Melissa Matthewsonhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMelissa Matthewson2023-03-29 15:09:522024-05-14 13:53:44Building Community & Resiliency for Underrepresented Students
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/hennion-alex-bellen.jpg450600Marc Friedmanhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMarc Friedman2022-11-21 13:38:472023-10-25 14:36:50Bridging the Gap: Donors Support SOU’s Bridge Program
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/carol-and-blair.jpg510600Marc Friedmanhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMarc Friedman2021-10-06 10:51:522024-04-02 12:47:47Gift Provides a Helping Hand to SOU CARES Program
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/taylor-burke.jpg624600Marc Friedmanhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMarc Friedman2021-10-06 10:46:322023-10-17 11:10:17SOU Cares Program Helps Students When It’s Needed Most
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/gene-thumb.jpg475500Marc Friedmanhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMarc Friedman2021-10-06 10:27:072023-10-27 14:56:55Rogue Credit Union & SOU Partnership Energizes the Rogue Valley
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/jim-and-dena.jpg546600Marc Friedmanhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMarc Friedman2021-10-06 10:17:372024-04-02 12:48:51A Passion for Innovation: New Endowment for Business Students
https://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/donna-ritchie-1.jpg635600Marc Friedmanhttps://giving.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SOU-Giving-Logo-6.0.pngMarc Friedman2021-10-06 10:11:132023-10-27 15:02:31Donor Shares Her Love of SOU and the Arts
Love for Theatre and Community Lead to New Scholarship
/in Annual Report, Donors, Gifts, Impact Stories, ScholarshipsShared 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.
New Fund Supports Summer STEM Research Experience
/in Annual Report, Donors, Education, Impact Stories, Scholarships, STEMGary 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.
DeArmond Foundation Supports Working Students
/in Academic Programs, Annual Report, Donors, Impact Stories, ScholarshipsBob 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.
Power of Education Inspires Philanthropy
/in Academic Programs, Annual Report, Athletics, Donors, Impact Stories, ScholarshipGift to Music Honors Donor’s Agricultural Heritage
/in Academic Programs, Annual Report, Charitable Bequests, Donors, Gifts, Impact Stories, Music, Planned GivingKristy Henshaw Denman’s journey from a Willamette Valley farm to a passionate supporter of Southern Oregon University exemplifies the power of family and its influence on one’s aspirations. Growing up on the family farm near Brownsville, Kristy found inspiration in music, a passion ignited by her father. It was a love for music and children that led her to SOU, where she pursued a degree in education with a music specialist concentration.