SOU Giving

Recent Stories & News

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

May 22, 2023/in Impact Stories, Scholarships, Students

Robby Running grew up in Hood River and thought for sure he was going to college to become a dentist. All of that changed for him when he took an organic spectroscopy class at SOU, and his world opened up. That’s the magic of what happens in the classroom at SOU. The path to discovery looks different for each student, but the opportunities are everywhere you look. Robby had the innate curiosity—and eager mind that many SOU students have—to venture into the exploratory nature of the sciences. Following that curiosity led him to an exciting path of career advancement.

The Path to Growth First Generation Student Beautiful Journey Read More

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

May 8, 2023/in Impact Stories, Scholarships, Students

Nayeli Esqueda Alvarado remembers learning to love video games ever since she could move her thumbs. She recalls spending much of her childhood playing video games with her father, a happy memory that Nayeli carries with her as she reflects on her SOU college experience. Nayeli will be graduating as a double major in Computer Science and Emerging Media and Digital Arts in June with the hopes of entering the video game industry. It’s because of her education at SOU that Nayeli is poised for a promising future.

Building-Community-and--Resiliency at SOU

Building Community & Resiliency for Underrepresented Students

March 29, 2023/in Impact Stories, Student Services, Students

The writer and teacher bell hooks wrote that “…education as the practice of freedom affirms healthy self-esteem in students as it promotes their capacity to be aware and live consciously,” which relates beautifully to SOU’s mission of preparing students to become engaged citizens in our democracy. The SOU Bridge program does just this by providing resources to underrepresented students so they can learn how to create successful lives of purpose.

Lithia & GreenCars Pledge Historic Commitment

December 6, 2022/in Gift Announcement, Gifts, Impact Stories, News

Southern Oregon University and Medford-based Lithia Motors announced in September of 2022 a philanthropic partnership that will serve as the bedrock of future innovations at SOU. Lithia’s commitment exceeds $12 million and is the largest-ever single gift to the university. The contributions from Lithia Motors (NYSE: LAD) create the Lithia & GreenCars Momentum Fund, which will be used “to propel the university forward by investing in people and programs to implement the university’s and the company’s shared vision of sustainability and diversity.” The fund will also become a catalyst to invite other companies and individuals to participate in making a significant difference in both social and environmental change.

Retired Surgeon Creates Endowment for Faculty-Student Chemistry Research

November 21, 2022/in Academic Programs, Donors, Endowment, Gifts, Impact Stories

Semi-retired surgeon Ron Worland, M.D., believes that supporting SOU is an investment in the entire southern Oregon region. “This is our university and our community. It is important to support the students because that will beneﬁt every one of us,” said Worland. Ron and his wife Lou created an endowment for student-faculty research and enabled the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment.

Recent Stories & News

More Impact Stories

FOUNDATION

OPPORTUNITIES

Contact Development