Eastern Oregon University

Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is a public university in La Grande, Oregon. It is part of the Oregon University System. The university offers bachelor's and master's degrees. Most students obtain a B.S. degree, which requires one quarter of science, whereas a B.A. degree requires two years of a foreign language. In 2016, the university also began work to introduce a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree with a vocational bent.

Inlow Hall
Eastern Oregon University
Former names
Eastern Oregon Normal School
Eastern Oregon College of Education
Eastern Oregon College
Eastern Oregon State College
TypePublic university
Established1929
Parent institution
Oregon University System
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment$11 million [1]
PresidentTom Insko
ProvostSarah Witte
Academic staff
131
Students3,741 (Fall 2015) [2]
Undergraduates3,488 (Fall 2015)
Postgraduates253 (Fall 2015)
Location
La Grande
,
Oregon
,
United States

45.320°N 118.092°W / 45.320; -118.092
ColorsGold & Blue
AthleticsNAIA — Cascade Collegiate Conference
NicknameMountaineers
Sports10 Varsity Teams
MascotMonty the Mountaineer
Websitewww.eou.edu/
Grand Staircase

History

EOU opened its doors in 1929 as Eastern Oregon Normal School, a teacher training school. In 1939, the Oregon Legislature changed the name to Eastern Oregon College of Education. The words "of Education" were dropped from the college's name in 1956. The 1973 Legislature changed EOC's name to Eastern Oregon State College. In 1997, Eastern Oregon State College became Eastern Oregon University.[3] In 2013 the Oregon University System began the process of creating independent boards for certain schools, including Oregon State and the University of Oregon. On June 30, 2015, the Oregon University System was dissolved and on July 1, 2015, the Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees took on governance of the institution.[4]

Ackerman Hall

Campus setting

EOU's location in La Grande is in the heart of the Blue Mountain range between Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho just off Interstate 84. Driving to La Grande takes approximately four hours from Portland, two and half from Boise, five from Seattle, and four from Spokane. As of October 2017, the school has over 3,000 total students, including those attending on campus and through their online education programs.[5]

The campus contains 26 buildings, including three living facilities – Alikut Hall, North Hall, and Daugherty Hall – all of which are co-ed. Inlow Hall, Eastern's administration building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]

Pierce Library

Academics

EOU offers a limited number of majors in traditional fields of the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, and Business. Budget cuts have eliminated all majors in foreign languages, though a Spanish minor still exists. New programming in vocational fields such as Fire Services Administration and Global Foods and Agribusiness target regional employment needs.

Academic organization

EOU offers bachelor's degrees and the degrees of MFA, MBA, Master of Education and Master of Arts in Teaching. Most degrees conferred, however, are undergraduate B.S. degrees (Bachelor of Science). The university offers business and elementary education programs at a satellite campus in Gresham, Oregon.

The school is composed of the following colleges in order of size:

EOU is known for its mountainous location and its academic programs related to the outdoors. An outdoor leadership program began in Fall 2016.

In addition, EOU has military science, agricultural science, and nursing offered on campus by other Oregon universities. Many degrees are available fully online.

Eastern Oregon's Psychology department is one of the last university programs that still has its students use live animals in behavioral studies.

Faculty

EOU employs just over one hundred full-time faculty. They are organized under the Associated Academic Professionals (AAP) Local 6200.

Accreditation

EOU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education IACBE, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Athletics

Eastern Oregon's mascot is the Mountaineer. The Mountaineers are a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Cascade Collegiate Conference in the following sports:

  • Men's football
  • Men's and women's soccer
  • Men's and women's cross country
  • Women's volleyball
  • Men's and women's basketball
  • Women's softball
  • Men's and women's track & field
  • Men's and women's wrestling
  • Women's lacrosse (added 2019)
  • Men's baseball (restored 2019)

In 2005, Eastern Oregon's football program joined the NAIA's Division I Frontier Conference, previously having competed as an Independent of the NCAA's Division III level.

Eastern Oregon's football team plays at Community Stadium located on campus. The La Grande High School football team also plays their home games there.

Athletic Director: Anji Weissenfluh

Sports Information Director: Iain Dexter

Defunct Sports: Women's Golf, Skiing. Some sports have been relegated to club sports such as rodeo and polo.

Notable alumni

The oldest graduate

99-year-old Leo Plass received his degree in June 2011, setting a world record. He dropped out less than one semester away from graduation in 1932 when the Great Depression occurred and started a career as a logger.[8] He died in August 2015, shortly after his 104th birthday.[9]

References
  1. https://www.eou.edu/visitor
  2. https://www.eou.edu/ir/enrollment-reports
  3. Visitor Information | Visitor Information – Eastern Oregon University
  4. https://www.eou.edu/governance/
  5. https://www.eou.edu/news-press/fall-enrollment-numbers-announced
  6. "Mike Kyle MMA Bio". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  7. "Micronesian lawmaker, Class of '87 alumnus to give Commencement speech".
  8. Leo Plass, who quit college in 1932, graduates at 99 - CSMonitor.com
  9. http://www.bendbulletin.com/obituaries/3469997-151/granville-leo-plass
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