Western Oregon University’s first Block Party takes place May 17

MONMOUTH, Ore. –The Western Oregon University Alumni Board is thrilled to announce the inaugural block party, set to take place on Saturday, May 17. This event is open to all alumni, students, faculty, staff, community members, and friends. 

“We’re so excited to throw WOU’s first-ever block party. It’s going to be an awesome day to celebrate all things WOU with alumni, students, and our amazing local community,” shared Raeann Salchenberg, director of alumni engagement. “Come hang out with us. There’ll be something for everyone, and we can’t wait to party with the pack!”

The block party will feature various activities, including live music from the Ra Khan Band, known for their island reggae sound. Attendees can enjoy food carts, a beer garden, and yard games. Additional activities include a photo booth, campus tours, ghost tours, and the popular “Paint the Wolf” activity. There will also be vendors showcasing handmade goods, local crafts, and much more.

Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The Grove and along Church Street

WOU Campus

For any questions or additional information, please reach out to alumni@wou.edu or get more info

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

The Western Oregon University 2025 Pastega Award recipients announced

Pictured LTR: Cara Groshong, Pres. Peters, Mike LeMaster, Camila Gabaldon, Jamie Marroquin, Amy Dawson, and Provost Coll

Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore.Western Oregon University proudly announces the 2025 Mario & Alma Pastega Awards recipients. This is the highest recognition for faculty and staff excellence. A ceremony and reception were held on May 12 to recognize their accomplishments. 

Amy Dawson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, and Mike LeMaster, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, are the recipients of the 2025 Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award honors a full-time faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching and relationships with students, both in and out of the classroom.

Camila Gabaldón, Systems & Collection Development Librarian and Library Professor, is the recipient of the 2025 Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Service. This award honors a full-time faculty member who demonstrates exceptional service to the university. 

Jamie Marroquin, Ph.D. Professor of Spanish is the recipient of the 2025 Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Research. This award recognizes significant and enduring scholarly or creative achievement

Cara Groshong, Operations and Finance Director for the WOU Foundation, is the recipient of the 2025 Mario and Alma Pastega Staff Excellence Award. This award honors a classified or administrative staff member who demonstrates exceptional service to the university.

 

Learn more about the Marion & Alma Pastega Awards and each award recipient   

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, Veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

Western Oregon University announces Winter 2025 Honor Roll

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces the undergraduate students named to the Honor Roll and President’s list for their academic honors for the winter 2025 term. In recognition of academic achievement, the university makes public at the close of each term an honor roll of undergraduate students who earn 12 or more credits that are not of a pass/no pass nature and earn a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

The following students have been named to the Winter 2025 Honor Roll:

Students from Oregon cities

Adair Village

Chloe Annas

Lanie Happy

Chrystal Shearer

Albany

Libby Aithwaite

Malachi Arsenault

Gracie Balkema

Zaley Bennett

Alyssa Bevins

Creed Bodily

Sean Boettiger

Daniel Burrows

Hope Carpenter

Charles Cook

Rylie Cornell

Brianna Davidson

Preet Dhaliwal

Hannah Ebbs

Bobbie Esplin

Emma Fast

Hannah Field

Jacobi Fisher

Billy France-Bagwell

Saige Garland

Keisha Gonzalez-Ortiz

Lindsey Grossman

Izzy Harwood

Emma Hawkins

Jenna Holcomb

Faith Howle

Kailey Jensen

Allie Johnson

Katie Johnson

Bella Kinghorn

Emily Leabo

Madilyn Markwood

Timothy Marshall

Nicholas May

Lauren McCool

Alexa McGowan

Anna Medina

Alyssa Mendoza

Greyshia Mercado

SaKoma Mickelsen

Kindell Milligan

James Murray

Jamie Myrick-Duckett

Emanuel Perez-Hernandez

Jasmin Perez Montes

Hayden Rogers

Jasmine Sidhu

Julia Spens

Madison Wang

Charles Williams

Kyler Wolfe

Paul Zuniga

Aloha

Jesus Andrade Perez

Jacey Carmean

Michelle Gadbois

Amity

Alden Bond

Cody Dyche

Brooke Lopez

Milly Trevizo Huynh

Ashland

Mayela Poareo Davidson

Astoria

Katelynn Cosner

Aumsville

Alysha Bramhall-Bellah

Laura Jean Holland

Moises Leal Zepeda

Brittany Lucas

Yanette Pelayo Garcia

Jacob Persons

Ben Roth

Lunafreyja Schafer

Aurora

Melanie Kirstein

Krysta Nelson

Banks

Molly Calvillo

Madeline Jacobs

Sydney Maller

Bay City

Jamie Nugent

Beavercreek

Michael House

Beaverton

Javier Blas

Bailey Browning

Maddie Cader

Rylie Cader

Gigi Candelaria

AnKhuong Cao

Benjamin Carlton

Mars Carver

Katherine Castro

Jenna Crouse

Cooper Derville-Teer

Giselle Garcia Andrade

Zane Garvey

Brady Grier

Riley Groshong

Matthew Hoffman

Noah Holub

Justin Hughes

Samantha Humphrey

Sarah Hutchinson

Aidan Ionis

Anthony Mendez

Zoey Merriman

Kyle Miller

Claudia Morales

Angel Nunez

Nic Ostlund-Arce

Senetenari Porotesano

Lisbeth Ramirez

Adelecia Ramos Garfias

Maria De Lourdes Regino Plancarte

Madelyn-MayIan Saechao

Arianna Salazar Ramos

Darik Salinas

Kira Shelton

Jadyn Smith

Noely Torres Gutierrez

Christian Tran

Bend

Bailey Colvin

Landon Gillette

Canyon Larranaga

Jules Negrete

Kyana Quintero

America Salazar Nava

Josie Stevens

Ariah Waller

Blodgett

Ella Mainwaring

Boardman

Natalie Lomeli

April Mendieta

Belen Ponce-Leal

Bonanza

Corey Thompson

Brownsville

Tabitha Ealy

Burns

Shanna Kinkade

Canby

Selene Gonzalez Gonzalez

Diana Heintz-Rios

Canyonville

Kodie Lindseth

Greg Reedy

Central Point

Alyssa Kilbane

Jacob Memmott

Chloe Staley

Averi Young

Clackamas

Aniela Erbe

Evan Gabriel

Gideon Gallagher

Yair Gomez Romero

Sammy Maciokas

Rachel Morrison

Denise Ramirez-Sanchez

Clatskanie

Shawn Harrison

Maya Helmen

Grace Tallman

Cloverdale

Noah Coleman

Coos Bay

Sierra Brouse

Brooklyn Culver

Coquille

Shawn Guerrero

Corbett

Rowan Vasen

Cornelius

Averie Duyck

Yamil Gaona-Miranda

Kevin Miranda

Corvallis

Drew Armour

Torie Arnold

Abigail Astanin

Victoria Ayala

Hayden Bence

Grace Bixby

Willow Bothwell

Taylor Brasfield

Jensen Braught

Sydney Conklin

Rebecca Eason

Chelsea Gardner

Kelly Gardner

Alexandra Graves

George Hansen

John Harris

Haley Hass

Tabitha Hinkley

Meiping Hong

Kennedy Lease

Clayton Lynch

Jordan Mata

Grace McAlister

Mateo McCann

Ana McClave

Rocco McClave

Moksha Mokma

Max Morano

Melanie Nielsen

Jeffrey Pettinger

Kylee Salinas

Maci Shaw

Hassan Sindi

Victoria Singharaj

Nick Sirianni

Liz Stoenner

Maritza Vera-Chavarria

Toni Viramontes

Quintin Willette

Andrew Wolf

Cameron Wright

Cottage Grove

Gabriel Cortes

Culver

Shanti Rosales

Dallas

Braden Bollman

Danielle Bosse

Rachel Boyce

Fatima Burger

Maria Camacho

Wyatt Connolly

Katelyn Cooley

Brian Cooper

Amity Deters

Meagan Dickey

Madeline Doig

Chris Dotson

DreSean Eagleton

Jennifer Fleming

Joey Guerra

Kristen Guerra

Jeremy Guill

Luke Hagedorn

Daria Harris

Brieanna Howard

Alyssa Irwin

Ivy Janesofsky

Clara Johnson

Hayley Johnson

Kolby Johnson-Sallee

Joseph Kinnaman

Cadence Kumnick

Morgan Kumnick

Jazmin Lopez Solis

Rachael Lund

Nicole McKinney

Justus Mikkelsen

Ryan Miller

Molly Moore

Bo Moskal

Wesley Mullins

Alex Neely

Justin Parnell

Shane Pelinski

Riley Petersen

Shelby Rayburn

Angie Rodriguez

Heather Seals

Lynne Selvig

Kameron Spicer

Spencer Thiel

Tymberlynn Thompson

Daniel Toma

Jacob Worley

Seyna Wynn

Savanna Young

Damascus

Noah Maestas

Jessica Ortiz

Anneliese Stricker

Dayton

Melissa DeOrnellas

Isaac Garcia

Caspian Price

Kennedy Shilhanek

Nikolas Sokol Blosser

Depoe Bay

Josef Kavadas

Drain

Ray Gerrard

Echo

Soren Marchetti

Eddyville

Madison Huhn

Estacada

Jacob Behrman

Eugene

Lauren Becraft

Ashlyn Bitikofer

Blu Blakely

Molly Blanchette

Sarah Childers

Jazmine Dotson

Dylan Edwards

Ellery Ellery

Sage Gartley

Diana Gray

Callista Halleman

Mercedes Haworth

Alayna Jensen

Stephanie Leon-Leon

Jazmine Liebl

Augustine Manalansan

Dorothy Miller

Lena Notenboom

Phoebe Notenboom

Jack Reynolds

Grace Savage

Jose Vasquez Maya

Ashley Weaver

Whitney Wilson

Fairview

Sydney Keller

Falls City

Brynn Abeling

Amber Houghtaling

Sarah Morlan-Sarver

Kassidi Thompson

Florence

Toni Fegles

Ellie Halpin

Forest Grove

Esme Duran Escamilla

Persephone Green

Simon Kimberly

Alyssa Nguyen

Gabriela Orr

Philip Staniunas

Alison Vaandering

Areli Vazquez Delgado

Gaston

Isaac Hayes

Grace Smith

Gervais

Cynthia Alarcon

Phillip Alter

Diego Arellano-Barocio

Sarahi Bazan Guerrero

Kellen Betancourt

Jazmin Gutierrez

Lilly McCargar

Alexis Ramirez Lopez

Skyelar Schultz

Tae Tanner

Diana Valdovinos Cabrera

Glendale

Jaylin Hardin

Glide

Victoria Linne

Grand Ronde

Kaleigha Simi

Grants Pass

Sally Berg

Ethan Burdis

Alyssa Donoho

Dante Haven

Meghan Lackey

Noel Sandeen

Shelby Sheehan

Lainie Wheeler

Gresham

Brittany Austin

Lexi Blevens

Jake Fay

Jaidah Garcia

Sammy Gates

Taylor Haggard

Morgan Jensen

Catrina Kelly

Celeste Mejias Melendez

Mackenzie Miller

Erik Ojeda

Ikemba Orisakwe

Nnamdi Orisakwe

Emily Phoun

Grace Sayles

Sophia Wilson

Halsey

Dyllan Coons

Bailey James

Megan James

Allison Keel

Happy Valley

Derek House

Ujunwa Nwokoma

Jakob Ritter

Dakota Yeager

Henry Yon

Harrisburg

Jillian Barnhurst

Adrian Esgate

Hebo

Gustavo Camacho-Jr

Heppner

Daralynn Teeman

Hermiston

Kaylee Billsborough

Chelsea Soto Arellano

Hillsboro

Andrew Gallina

Adriel Garcia

Brittani Geniza

Aquinna Green

Fatou Ka

Xochitl Madrigal

Alison Maldonado

Preston Nelson

Yahir Ocampo Navarro

Jasmine Pfafman

Elizabeth Roozen

Areli Santos Gomez

Cody Scott

Ruslan Skorokhod

Coen Stapleton

Carlos Urenda

Aidan VanDyke

Camila Villastrigo

Abigail Wallace

Hannah Warner

Hood River

Kenny Amezcua-Brassea

Emilio Castaneda

Claire Oswald

Hubbard

Cecilia Rodriguez

Independence

Havalah Altamirano

Blanca Avila

Josiah Bakarich

Ruben Cedillo

Gwyneth Couey

Nicole Cox

Emma Delgado

Sunair Iqbal

Calista Jones

Alison Killion

Angel Larios

Jesus Larios

Camila Martinez

Vanya Martinez

Julissa Mateo

Andrea Mendoza

Juan Mendoza

Sebaztian Nunez Herrera

Vickie Ortiz Martinez

Delfino Perez Martinez

Lexy Ramos

Molly Siefarth

Sofie Stonebrink

Daisy Torres Flores

Lexus Walk

Joshua Wall

Maddie Webber

Jefferson

Roselind Alejandre Morales

Noel Alvarez

Nicole Bruce

Jesse Judy

Alyssa Kreder

Madi LaCrosse

Elizabeth McCall

Mariel Nunez Medina

Cody Obersinner

Julisa Sanchez

Imogene Schwarz

Stephanie Schwarz

Kylie Sullivan

Cristian Toriz Jimenez

Joseph

Jillian Brock

Sophia Espinoza

Junction City

Kaley Siewert

Keizer

Jacob Amerino

Saige Baldwin

Brianna Bermudez-Shields

Cadance Bunch

Fernando Calvillo

Brianne Coburn

Cj Denison

Gage DuBois

Ashlee Ellis

Veronica Esparza

Joseline Flores

Arina Golovkina

Astrick Gonzalez Andrade

Bisael Gonzalez Trejo

Alivia Hall

Kelsey Jarnagin

Roman Justis

Hannah Kuper

Jackson Lam

Zoe Lehman

Kaleb Lindon

Layne Ling

Aaron Lopez

Rachel Lundin

Crystal Mingear

Logan Montgomery

Chloe Nash

Reda Nguon

Jazmin Orta

Cheyanne Ortiz

Tyler Payne

Ella Rains

Elda Ramirez Sanchez

Kate Ronning

Mason Ross

Rachelle Ross

Olena Rumbaugh

Danica Ryther

Jose Sanchez Romero

Harrison Schmit

Lily Snyder

Valory Stenlund

Ellyana Suek

Lauren Tacchini

Jordan Vance

Sophia Waldon

Robert West

Shari Wippert

Joe Wright

Klamath Falls

Brittney Agard

Dominic Hankins

Stephen Hantzmon

Gabby Johnson

Josiah Kupitz

Natalie Lovell

Tayla Plourde

Max Robinson

Ruth Simonsen

Hayden Smith

Caleb Waits

Lafayette

Alexis Pacheco

La Grande

Devin Bell

Brittany Robles Jimenez

Lake Oswego

Aidan Azavedo

Maya Loeb

Abigail Ratliff

Alejandro Valdes-Dordea

La Pine

Brianna Brown

Olivia Flack

Lebanon

Katie Allydice

Jesse Bass

Caitlyn Bilodeau

Kara Breshears

Brook Brown

Sawyer Brubaker

Alessandra Cervantes Ramirez

Coral Davis

Maya Gallegos-Wright

Glenn Holland

Sadie Latimer

Jessica Moyer

McKenzie Neely

Emma Rose

Sorin Santos

Lincoln City

Faith Ashby

Naomy Fuentes

Brenda Ortiz Cruz

Hailey Weaver

Lowell

Katie Chapman

Lyons

Kira Pease

Madras

Matthew Frazer

Cheydon Herkshan

Ian Phillips

Saoirse Phillips

Cassandra Wells

Zephen Wilkinson

Manning

Allison Meeuwsen

Marcola

Emma Romane

McMinnville

Arian Aguilar

Madison Bingman

Athena Bourne

Alejandra Ceja Montes

Natalie Connoy

Brelan Dramis

Jadielynn Elkins

Mariana Flores Lomeli

Madeline Fluke

Ashley Foss

Macy Hagel

Annia Hedlund

Abri Huerta

Teagan Johnson

Jazmine Jones

Natalia Juarez

Jennifer Lopez-Zavala

Paislee Matson

Evelyn Mendoza Vargas

Sara Minero

Juan Ornelas

Grace Palmer

Vanessa Quintero

Alexander Roush

Kaydi Stevenson

Maria Tzintzun

Anna Wyrostek

Medford

Elwood Hosking

Jaxon Moser

Bella Pedrojetti

Kyla Potratz

Ash Scala

Alexis Wadley

Milton-Freewater

Christine Alexander

Milwaukie

Sly Luckett

Halia Richter

Emily Scheible

Jordan Wendell

Molalla

Millennia Dahl

Alondra Gomez Camacho

Monmouth

Jessica Acevedo-Solis

Surayah Baggia

Hannah Beal

Lillian Boyack

Anna Button

Jordan Clark

Kennedy Concepcion

Dalia Corrales Pena

Paru Dahal

Atlas DiSalvo

Madelyn Dowen

Katie Dufner

Sam Friedman

Jenny Garcia Duran

Ashley Gruber

Makayla Guest

Angelica Guzman Hill

Kaylee Hatch

Oliver Hays

Emily Heisinger

Kaitlyn Hibbard

Luke Hoogendam

Berean Jones

Colton Larson

Daniel Lee

Esai Leos

Alex Lofton

Becca Lofton

Richard Loos

Leslie Lopez

Yesenia Lopez

Corbin Meng

Oliver Meyr

Jane Montgomery

Loish Neth

Emily Newbeck

Kailey Newbeck

Skyler Neyenhuis

Eli Pettyjohn

Skyanne Pierson

Easton Pomrankey

Brynn Rodrigues

Alexis Salcido

Eli Sass

Jackson Schoenbachler

Justina Shepard

Lilly Sims

Victoria Statsenko

Riley Stearns

Emma Swartzfager

Sierra Taylor

Mary Way

Kaitlyn Woodard

Monroe

Trenton Bateman

Mount Angel

Phuthimeth Koonantha

Owen Bischoff

Mount Hood

Hailey Hilton

Molly Routson

Mulino

Jordyn Long

Alexander Rogers

Myrtle Creek

Brooke Abel

Eugene Cortapassi

Mariah Huse

Myrtle Point

Brooklyn New

Michael O’Brien

Newberg

Peyton Carmon

Elaine Green

Madeline Lambing

Evie Palmer

Elizabeth Saager

Avery Sokol Blosser

Newport

Charlotte Gardner

Flor Ibarra Aparicio Reyes

James Lackey

Jamie Martinson

Kolby Spink

North Bend

Emily Hampton

Brynne Hathorn

North Plains

Ethan Bothwell

Courtney Severns

Noti

Miriam Garland

Oak Grove

Lucas Montpart

Oakland

Veronica Sigl

Fontelle Witten

Oceanside

Aiden Johnson

Ontario

Taylor Northrop

Oregon City

Alexis Belmore

Makenna Bergerson

Michael Gibson

Kylie Griffin

Derek Heintz

Maddie Hornback

Isabelle Lewis

Lauren Mallen

Kira Riggen

Guthrie Romas

Bennett Roque

Shane Tacla

Evan Zwijsen

Otis

Ashley Brosch

Pendleton

DeLaney Duchek

Aiden Kitchen

Kacie Moss

Anahi Ponce

Elijah Tabellija

Philomath

Lydia Arthurs

Kristen Beckstead

Ivory Carroll

Hailie Couture

Chloie Hamsher

Sarah Nelson

Jennifer Reinhart

Alyson Todd

Mara Wilson

Pleasant Hill

Samuel Hogervorst

Portland

Fowzia Abdi

Jackson Albrecht

Cesar Altamirano

Kate Badon

Jessa Brame

Riley Buerk

Marisela Catalan Galeana

Audrey Colburn

Gillian Coplin

Bryce Coverdale

Allie Dills

Fab Dormezil

Shania Dormezil

Lucas El Youssef

Ellie Erdahl

Joselin Factor Najera

Laura Ferry

Peter Gillooly

Arianna Gsell

Alexander Gutierrez

Jessica Harmond

Caedon Hawk

Jonah Hayes

Casey Hill

Alexi Howard

Evan Huber

Edson Jimenez-Sutton

Courtney Karreman

Emily Keil

Makenna Koetz

Jaidyn Kron

Gracie Lee

Isabel Lesher

Carla Macedo

Olivia May

Rilee McGregor

Marco Millan

Lili Minato

Jose Carlos Miramontes-Somerville

Benjamin Munoz

John Oleson

Sophia Peterson

Natalie Puha

Emerson Quarles

Maria Rinella

Alden Roy

Adam Shuey

Nicco Simonetti

Xavier Stonebraker

MyaIndia Thomas

Ashley Tramutolo

Brianna Trickel

Sam Walbridge

Danni Wilbur

Matthew Wiltison-conklin

Brooke Wittgow

Olivia Wright

Powell Butte

Olivia Busch

Prineville

Henry Fonseca

Rainier

Micah Boursaw

Aidan Korff

Redmond

Kaisa Chapanar

Allison Henry

Gabriela Jimenez

Emmett Nave

Teanna Russell

Alexia Sifuentes

Rickreall

Aaron Boaz

Nicole Garcia

Rafael Garcia

Tiffany Marx

Riddle

Lance Bioy

Tessa Powell

Rockaway Beach

Emily Stanfield

Rogue River

Otto Loogman

Roseburg

Emma Antonio

Taylor Davis

Cybelle MacLean

Haley Olsen

Sydney Schafer

Sarah Sibley

Sage Villa

Saint Helens

Rachel Freitag

Graham McCallum

Mercedes Shafer

Salem

Julian Aguilar-Tomas

Jacob Aimonetti

Joselo Alarconsoto

Ezra Alexander

Oscar Alvarez

Adam Ames

Jennifer Anderson

Juliana Andrade

Yulissa Arellano-Franco

Nimsi Arellano Guillen

Osvaldo Ascencio-Mendoza

Fabiola Azcue

Samantha Bailey

Aubrey Baker

Bethany Baker

Ashley Banker

Adrien Beiswenger

Kendralee Bell

Caitlyn Benac

Andrew Bendt

Brooke Benjamin

Reese Bennett

Savannah Bickle

Alex Blackburn

Kyle Blair

Hunter Blakley

Brianna Boen

Aliya Borchers

Aislinn Boyles

Jessica Bravo-Hurtado

Mason Brittan

Caleb Bunch

Annika Campbell

Mary Carlsen

Leyla Carone

Finn Cass

Sandra Castles

Adler Ceboll

Belen Cedillo

Josh Chapin

Diana Chavez Hernandez

Stephanie Cheung

Maci Clark

Malia Cleveland

Velo Colella

Iulia Colibaba

Gary Cooper

Grace Cooper

Ian Cooper

Emma Cordero

Aylin Covarrubias

Cole Crauder

Brandon Dade

Annaka Davidson

Damion Dean

Val Dennis

Alighieri Diaz

Lesli Diaz-Diaz

Jack Didde

Katrina Dovgoruk

Kira Doyle

Tanya Drofyak

Veda Duffy

Abbi Duhart

Victor Elias

Chloe Elmore

Carson Evenson

MarinelJoy Falalimpa

Tatum Farrell

Levi Fast

Fernando Fernandez

Micah Flores

Litzy Flores Campos

Velinda Flores Ceja

Jillian Fowler

Sidney Friesen

Mya Fry

Brandon Garcia

David Garcia Angulo

Raul Garcia Duran

Ian Garcia Hernandez

Daisy Garibay Garibay

Ruben Garibay Mendez

Miranda Geist

Paul Ghalili

Toby Gillock

Mallory Gisler

John Glantz

Katelyn Gleason

Fabian Gomez

Sharon Gonzalez

Erick Gonzalez Diaz

Valleja Green

Laramie Greene

Hayden Grow

Angela Hage

Kaylee Hall

Serena Hall

Kurestin Hamaker

Amelia Hamilton

Brooklynn Hammond-Brouwer

Eddy Hardin Amador Rivera

Hayley Harr

Abby Hawkins

Annabelle Head

Kate Heesemann

Brody Hernandez

Leticia Hernandez-Godoy

Rachel Hernandez Maciel

Jasmine Hernandez Pena

Jasmine Hiebert

Nicholas Himler

Alex Hitchen

Desiree Hite

Michael Holley

Nora Jamal

Abby Jeppsen

Carmen Jimenez Penuelas

Vince Johnson

Brett Jones

Daley Jones

Emmory Kahn

Jake Kelly

Frank Kern

Emily Killebrew

James Kivett

Litzy KuBeiza

Andres Labate

Priscilla Lagunas Rosillo

Victoria Lance-Gonzalez

Alexandra Lanning

Alexis Large-Cooley

Patrick Lehman-Martin

Alecia Lemeza

Linda Llanos Garcia

Juliette Lloyd

Grace Lute

Alexis Marroquin Contreras

Sadie Martin

Alexander Martinez

Amalia Martinez

Nathan Martinez

Malena Mathis

Jonathon Mattern

Isaac Mayhugh

Madison McDougal

Tommy McGuire

Alexandra Mckinzie

Andrew Melting

Eli Mignano

Grace Miller

Benito Monroy

Jocelyn Mora

Miguel Morales

America Moreno-Garcia

Daphne Moskal

Nancy Mota Gonzalez

Kayli Nagel

Kathryn Newswanger

Kaydence Nguyen

Liz Nguyen

Hailey Notman

Jackson Noud

Natalie Nyquest

Gaby Ochoa

Nate Okada

Grace Otten

Audrey Parks

Alan Parra Navarro

Ignacio Perez Jr

Jennifer Perez Ramos

Miranda Pfeil

Kate Ponier

Jacob Prater

Beth Priddy

Kayla Pylis

Annabella Ramey

Cristian Ramirez

Ambar Camila Ramirez Melendez

Francisco Ramirez Perez

Guadalupe Ramirez Ramos

Jasmin Ramirez Valentin

Christian Raymon

Caleb Rennie

Jailene Reyes

Olivia Robbins

Liz Rodriguez Mayoral

Kiera Roedel

Mackenzie Rolf

Stephan Rozov

Maria Salazar

Makaila Sands

Palwinder Sangha

Belen Santiago Hernandez

Jacklyn Santiago Miguel

Bree Saunders

Carley Schlag

Jaymond Schneider

Claire Schreiner

Cameron Sheets

Marissa Shoemaker

Priya Short

Rhylee Sinks

Logan Smith

Morgan Smith

Zach Snegirev

Trinity Snider

Katie Snyder

Tanner Sorensen

Anai Soto

Manny Spinks

Kameron Splonski

Skylar Stangeland

Avery Stanley

Isaac Stearns

Jordan Stewart

Angel Street

Ashly Strub

Emma Talento

Joseline Tapia Guerra

Lesly Tenorio Marquez

Austin Thatcher

Trevor Thomson

Firdavs Tokhtaev

Hailey Toornstra

Lukas Towne

Stevie Trapero

Jennifer Uhlman

Joelle Upshur

Veronica Valencia Astaiza

Kay Vasquez

Emily Villanueva

Alexandra Villegas

McKenzie Vogt

Daniel Wallior

Hope Warrick

Cylar Weddle

Julia Wells

Justin Wells

Seth Williamson

Austin Wilson

Raigan Wilson

Sabrina Wilson

Victoria Winkler

Carter Wobbe

Benjamin Wood

Monica Woodford

Bella Wunderlich

Madi Xiong

Demetrius Yehnert

Nicholas Yehnert

Anna Young

Peyton Young

Emily Zapien

Sandy

Carson Kruckman

Haylee Lutz

Jenna Wallace

Kelsey Wallace

Scappoose

Jonah Campbell

Grace Negelspach

Austin Templin

Scio

Marisa Bradley

Hannah Rudkin

David Silbernagel

Scotts Mills

Sophie Borgstahl

Paisha Renoud

Seaside

Liv Mayhugh

Tony Silva Villa

Roy Tucker

Sheridan

Amy Ladd

Kaysha Lehman

Jamie Long

Arin Porter

Lindsey Reynolds

Eric Ross

Jayden Vanderveen

Sherwood

Brittany Arendt

Ella Bintoro

Jandika Borden

Maddux Gillett

Rylee Hahn

Clara Kern

Clara Mellinger

Logan Panter

Freya Raybold

Arin Rodrigues

Ethan Staubach

Siletz

Hali Peterson

Silverton

Gwen Arbuckle

Aunika Buxman

Citlali Cortes

Kelsey Deckelmann

Kerry Fogarty

Sophia Harrison

Anne Hurley

Allyson Leboeuf

Drew Montgomery

Yuretzi Morales Sierra

Amanda Ridge

Vassa Samoilov

Grace Smith

Donna Wilson

South Beach

Michelle Cottrell

Springfield

Brayden Allen

Kyle Babcock

Hannah Barr

Cassidy Burns

Tamerra Cervantes Carlos

Paige Gault

Brooklyn Gilbert

Isabelle Ilia

Kylie Jones

Gavin Lindsay

Seth Miller

Rhylie Sevits

Lilly Vogt

Stayton

Nolan Cramer

Karen Garcia

McKenna Wonderling

Saint Helens

Lucia Martin

Sublimity

Ray Lowe

Megan Mcghehey

Jordan Reisig

Peyton Stuckart

Sutherlin

Brandon Castillo

Ashley Radmer

Sweet Home

Bailee Hartsook

Devyn Linder-Adams

Amanda Robutka

Aiden Tyler

Myles Williams

Tangent

Sarah DeVyldere

Terrebonne

Chase Anspach

The Dalles 

Vicci Cruz

Diego Elias

Kailin Hoylman

Destiny Mora Lopez

Leslie Quintana

Alexis Valadez Aguilar

Tidewater

Dani Gainer

Justin Gainer

Tigard

Adrianna Cardenas

Abbigale Elliott

Suzy Kelchner Lee

Molly Livingston

Claire McCann

Corey Parker

Eden Rygh

Eddy Sanchez Mendez

Esvin Sanchez Mendez

Forest Schostalo

Tillamook

Kate Klobas

Alex Prado Magana

Lillian Prince

Ray Prock-Hallock

Toledo

Daryn Heim

Jaxon Rozewski

Troutdale

Hannah Burk

Piper Corbin

Anthony Dickson

Michael Jewett

Olivia Macdonald

Caiden Madzelan

Isaac Reaney

Daisy Vasquez

Tualatin

Alyssa Allen

Jessica Atkins

Travis Campbell

Lauren Divine

Genna Esserman

Andrasis Navarrete Villegas

Audrey Sepp

Kayla Smith

Atlas Sprague

Turner

Abdullatif Al-Abdulrazzaq

Russell Beitzel

Melissa Evert

Molly Martinka

Cheyenne Noonkester

Sarah Phillips

Jonathan Sawyers

Vale

Erika Mcbride

Samuel Mendieta

Waldport

Oceanna Lambert

Emma Spangrud

Ryan Young

Warren

Abby Stansbury

Warrenton

Emily Carpenter

Mark Warren

Welches

Malia Vican

West Linn

Alex Bernasconi

Jackson Hardy

Koffi Kouame

Caden Lampert

Zephyr Randall

Aidyn Reed

Sarah Sedgewick

White City

Rids Pritikin

Willamina

Madison Diehl

Kailey Yoder

Wilsonville

Lindy Phillips

Winston

Cora Wanamaker

Woodburn

Diana Bonifacio Herrera

Jaquelyn Contreras

Erick De Los Rios Torres

Gabriel Diaz Rivera

Evelyn Estrada

Erasmo Giron Cortes

Shabryna Herrera

Caleb Lenhardt

Karina Leon

Brenda Martinez

Gabriel Pelayo-Rodriguez

Alliyah Ramirez

Linda Ramon

Fernando Robles

Nataly Rodriguez

Rosa Vegade Jesus

Wood Village

Rebecca Raymond

Students from states other than Oregon

Alaska

Gage Carter

Katrina Clayton

Hailey Colgin

Tasheana Dever

Cedric Gatter

Taylor Helem

Clay Johnson

Daniela Witt

Arkansas

Kyla Aitaro

Arizona

Ema Aros

Makayla Baker

Finley Buman

Ashton Ganse

Ciara Garcia

Caitlin Heldt

Nathan Hurtado

Mykennah Irvin

Jalen Johnson

California 

Kallie Barekman

Lexi Baumgartner

Bryce Bond

Molly Brayton

Paris Burke

David Coelho

Aubrey Coleman

Skylar Crossland

Landon Darby

Nemo Dieterich

Samantha Dory

Nino Gama

Sara Gerrick

Gwen Heike

Mackenzie Henderson

Olivia Holdenried

AJ Johnson

Joshua Johnson

Taya Johnson

Thomas Johnson

Christopher Jones

Grace Kearney

Jermaine Land

Lindie Larson

Aidan Latno

David Loera

Ruth Matavao

Lauren Mauer

Tony McAdoo

Tyler Mohler

Abby Money

Ryan Naugle

Rohan Nelson

Sarah Nelson

Keith Nicholson

Mayumi Nomura

Natalie Perez

Claire Phillips

Kali Pikl

Crystal Robertson

Bella Rogen

Viviana Romero

Lauren Rose

Carli Rosenquist

April Sawyer

Rachel Sevillano

Kairo Shahin

Brooke Smitson

Sierra Sobota

Veilomani Tonga

Briana Upshur

Cameron Wood

Jillian Zarbatany

Colorado 

Thomas Ellis

Alyssa Fullmer

Ella Haupt

Chase Nelson

Fred Reiter

Sara Rotar

Oliver Skains

Toby Winkler

Hawaii 

Lexi Carlos

Korri Lyn Fernandez

Kili Helm

Emma Higashi

Taryn Ho

Maela Honma

Kainoa Jones

Kepa Kepa

Destiny Celyse Lopez

Destiny Morden Morden

Jacylin Nakamura

Jaelia Olaitiman

Jacob Poouahi

Alyna Slayter

Brianna Tadaki

Kayla Yamashita

Idaho

Penny Lew Barnett

Hope Marie Bodak

Gracie Nelson

Brooklyn Schneidt

Austin Wilkes

Missouri

Ryan Hankins

Montana

Grace Gedlaman

Domminik Griffith

Jessica Morgan

Kade Mosley

Sophia Pierce

New Jersey 

David Rozycki

New Mexico 

Libby Thoma

Nevada 

Haley King

Taylor Rehkop

Allison Santos

Mila Tau

Calvin Tenorio

Trey Wilmot

Mackenzie Wilson

Oklahoma 

Hannah Luker

Texas

Holly Andrew

Bobby Barnaby Bryce

Jac Coe

Sarah Costilow

Utah

Michaela Harris

Leah Heugly

Collier Robison

Washington

Rowan Albert

Sierra Anderson

Chloe Asciutto

Lillian Axelson

Abby Baker

Paul Baltazar

Allison Beavers

Sophia Blair

Ash Bollie

Audrey Boulch

Natalie Brown

Amber Carver

Jordyn Conrad

Kade Coombe

Savannah Crithfield

Sam Darby

Anthony Delgado

Abraham Dixson

Zeke Dixson

Kendall Doern

Fiona Dowling

Mary Dycus

Ben Edwards

Sarah Felt

Addie Floyd

Grady Gagner

Charles Gillmore

Aden Goodwin

Bailey Harmon

Aidan Harvey

Makenna Helseth

Lexi Herdt

Evelyn Hooper

Madi Huri

Kayla Jacobsen

Jessica Johnson

Tyran Johnson

Roy Lockley

Tamaaulelei Ma’alona

Chester March

Jonathan McAtee

Katelyn McGough

Genevieve McGregor

Dylan Meader

Amelia Merritt

Jada Miller

Ali Millspaugh

Kaylee Moore

Sydney Morgan

Madi Noel

Emily Olsen

Braydon Olson

Alehandra Ornelas

Katelyn Peterson

Marissa Peterson

Ali Purdue

Katrina Renault

Maren Rochelle

Gwen Rydberg

Gunnar Shiotani

Mimi Swetish

Kady Taylor

Savannah Taylor

Brie Thompson

Karly Tiedeman

Daron Ulrich

Nicholas Weber

Ciona Wells

Kiley West

Paige Whitehead

Kameron Wimsatt

Claire Worthy

Wyoming 

Anneke Engel

Karla Gutierrez

International Students

Ecuador 

Andrea Jacho Betun

Kenya

Bryan Muyundo

Northern Mariana Islands

Daphne Cruzana

Micah Larioza

Rosabelle Surla

Republic of Palau

Cheyenne Aitaro

Visia Ise

Fireyaro Terry

Saudi Arabia

Faisal DhawahiD Almutairi

Vietnam

QuocHung Cao

NghiaDuc Dam

Dat Le

Han Mai

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

The 39th annual Wolves Athletic Auction takes place on May 31

LTR: Hannah Rispler and Randi Lydum at the 2024 Athletic Auction

Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore.Western Oregon University is pleased to announce that the 39th annual Wolves Athletic Auction presented by Oregon State Credit Union will be held Saturday, May 31.

The Wolves Athletic Auction is the premier fundraiser for Wolves Athletics, helping to support the over 400 student-athletes across 14 men’s and women’s NCAA Division II teams and cheer. “The Wolves Athletic Auction is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Wolves Athletics,” says Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randi Lydum. “It has become a tradition at the university and in the community, and it brings alumni and friends of Wolves Athletics together to support all of our student-athletes.”

Western graduate student and former women’s soccer standout Hannah Rispler ’24 will once again serve as the master of ceremonies for the evening, and senior men’s basketball guard Tony Salinas is the evening’s featured speaker. 

Proceeds from the evening go towards enhancing the student-athlete experience by growing scholarship funds, purchasing needed team equipment, and offsetting the cost of travel for away games and tournament play.

Attendees can bid on dozens of high-quality items and experiences at the live and silent auctions. Additional elements include a catered dinner with beer from WOU beer partners Parallel 45 and Xicha Brewing, wine from Eola Hills Winery, a curated wine wall, and a raffle.

The auction is presented by Oregon State Credit Union and is sponsored by Petals & Vines; Compass Visual; Eola Hills Winery; Xicha Brewing; Parallel 45 Brewing; Rookies Sports Tap; Arena Sports Bar & Grill; Vines, Tours, and Cruises; Ferguson Wellman; Miller Nash; Servpro Team McGinnis; “C” Cable Realty; Salem Health; Partnerships in Community Living; Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce; Anne Allen Group; Turner Construction; and Andersen Construction.

Limited tickets are still available for the event and can be purchased at wouwolves.com/auction. Event doors open at 5:00 p.m. at the New PE Building on the campus of Western Oregon University. 

Support for the Wolves Auction helps fulfill the goals of the Wolves Rising campaign, which include raising funds for scholarships, student success, and Wolves Athletics.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, Veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

Western Oregon University showcases undergraduate research on May 29

Pictured: AES students presenting at the 2024 AES

Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore. The Western Oregon University Program for Undergraduate Research Experiences (PURE) is proud to announce that its 19th annual Academic Excellence Showcase will occur in person on Thursday, May 29. The showcase is an opportunity for Western undergraduate students to share their research with university faculty, staff, students, and the general public. 

Undergraduate and graduate students from across the university are eligible to present at the event. Each student identifies and works with a faculty mentor who helps them prepare their research for public presentation. Much of the research is done under the direct supervision of Western faculty members, and the event is a chance for all community members to learn about the exciting, leading-edge research at Western. “I’m thrilled to welcome local community members and businesses to experience the impressive range of student achievements and creativity displayed at WOU’s Academic Excellence Showcase,” says Maren Anderson, director of PURE and AES Coordinator.

The Academic Excellence Showcase will take place all day at Western Oregon University. The event features student panels, poster presentations, fine arts performances, a presentation of awards, and plenary speakers. It is free for all members of the university community and the general public. Learn more or contact pure@wou.edu for more information.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction.  Together we succeed.

Oregon State Credit Union Donates $50,000 to Western Oregon University’s Student Success Center

LTR: Laurie Roe, OSCU Senior VP Community and Government Relations; WOU President Jesse Peters, Jordan Carpenter, OSCU Monmouth Branch Manager; Katie Wojke, WOU VP of Advancement; Pansy Kemp, OSCU Events and Volunteer Program Manager; Ashley Wilson; Community Education Director; and Josh Whisenhunt; OSCU Senior VP of Financial Services.

Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore. –Oregon State Credit Union has pledged a generous donation of $50,000 over five years to support Western Oregon University’s new Student Success Center, with naming rights reserved for the First-Generation Center. The donation will be allocated at $10,000 per year.

The First-Generation Center aims to provide essential resources for students who are the first in their families to attend college. This center will serve as a hub for academic and social support, allowing first-generation students to connect with peers and access robust assistance throughout their time at Western. 

“Oregon State Credit Union is proud to support the First-Generation Center within the new Student Success Center, which plays a crucial role in fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for first-generation college students,” said Jordan Carpenter, branch manager. “This initiative aligns with our commitment to empowering students and strengthening our community.”

Katie Wojke, executive director of the WOU Foundation and vice president for advancement at Western Oregon University, expressed gratitude for the credit union’s investment: “We are deeply thankful to Oregon State Credit Union for their generous donation and longtime partnership. Their commitment to the Student Success Center and First-Generation students strengthens our entire student community. This investment in our future is invaluable.”

Oregon State Credit Union also annually contributes a scholarship for students with financial need and Wolves Athletics, ensuring that students have the support they need to complete their college education.

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About Oregon State Credit Union 

Oregon State Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with an expanded field of membership now spanning 28 counties in Oregon and Clark and Skamania counties in Washington state. Founded in 1954 and guided by a passion for service, we are committed to delivering inclusive financial solutions that empower individuals and communities to thrive. Our competitively priced products and services are designed to meet the diverse needs of our members, providing exceptional value and personalized service. At Oregon State Credit Union, we believe in building amazing member trust and fostering financial well-being for all. Visit oregonstatecu.com today to learn why nearly 147,000 member-owners put their trust in Oregon State Credit Union.

About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

Western Oregon University announces winners of the first annual nature writing prize

Pictured LTR: Aubrey Baker and Isabel Lesher

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Write Place is proud to announce the first annual Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing winners, which recognizes exceptional student writing that reflects a deep engagement with the natural world. 

First prize was awarded to Aubrey Baker for their lyrical essay, Medusae, with an award of $300. Second prize went to Isabel Lesher for her imaginative short story, The Doe’s Body, with an award of $200.

Aubrey Baker, a senior majoring in English, described Medusae as a creative nonfiction piece rooted in personal loss and environmental imagery. “My essay was inspired by the dreamy atmospheres of aquariums, the death of a good friend, and the concept of adaptation that is ever present in nature and society. It was inspired by its subject matter.”

Baker is currently working on a speculative fiction project involving a clandestine eco-terrorist cell of technological savants unraveling the mystery of a serial killer hundreds of years in the future in Anchorage, Alaska.

Second-prize winner Isabel Lesher, a junior majoring in Theater, shared her inspiration behind The Doe’s Body. “Ever since I was little, I have loved the concept of miniature humans. Even in high school, I wrote a story about a tiny family that lived in a teacup. I wanted to use these little creatures to explore how nature uses us, how our organic matter becomes part of something eternal. All bodies are immortal.”

Lesher frequently writes about themes of womanhood and motherhood, exploring the multitude of roles and responsibilities women carry.

The Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing is made possible through the generous support of Meta and Garth Bunse. Garth Bunse was also a final judge who shared praise for both pieces.

“It was a pleasure to read all the entries for the first annual Loie Bunse Nature Prize and to choose two standout pieces,” shared Bunse. “Medusae was a well-crafted essay, richly lyrical even with its biological specificity. Meanwhile, The Doe’s Body was both a delightful and mournful adventure with surprises at each turn.”

Learn more about the Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

Western Oregon University becomes Oregon’s first public, four-year Hispanic-Serving Institution

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Pictured LTR: Students Arlette Moreno Escamilla and Allison Lopez Martinez, Dr. Gina Garcia (2025 HSI Summit Keynote Speaker), and students Erika Aguilar Moreno, and Alex Gutierrez.

MONMOUTH, Ore.Western Oregon University is now the first public, four-year university in Oregon to have reached Hispanic-Serving Institution eligibility, after having met the requirements of having at least 25 percent of undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent student enrollment.

The classification of Hispanic-Serving Institutions was formally recognized in federal legislation for capacity-building support to improve the access and quality of education for Latino and other low-income students. HSIs are defined as accredited, degree-granting public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with 25 percent or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment.

“Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution is an important milestone for Western Oregon University and stems from the dedication and hard work of our employees over many years,” said President Jesse Peters. “This designation not only reflects our commitment to supporting Latino students but also enhances our ability to provide resources and opportunities that will benefit all our students. We are committed to maintaining a diverse learning environment where all students feel a sense of belonging and to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community for all.”

Representative Andrea Salinas, serving Oregon’s 6th congressional district, acknowledges Western’s accomplishment and shares that, “As a first-generation college graduate and the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, I have firsthand understanding of the transformative power of education. I applaud Western’s work to move beyond access and create welcoming environments where everyone in our community can be themselves and define success on their own terms.”

Western joins several other Oregon institutions that hold the HSI designation, including Blue Mountain Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Columbia Gorge Community College, Mount Angel Seminary, Tillamook Community College, and Warner Pacific University.

In addition to its HSI status, Western is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Last Friday, Western hosted the fourth annual Hispanic Institution Summit with more than 200 participants, which included state and national partners, universities, and greater community members sharing ideas and best practices throughout the day in plenaries and workshops.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

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Western Oregon University Campus Recreation opens doors to Community College students with new Club Sport Player Pass

Pictured: WOU’s Men’s and Women+’s Rugby teams

Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore. Western Oregon University Campus Recreation has launched a new WOU Club Sport membership option called the Club Sport Player Pass. The pass is available to local community college students, allowing them to participate in WOU’s vibrant club sports program. Previously, WOU Club Sport participation was limited to WOU students. 

This initiative aims to foster engagement and community connection by allowing community college students to join WOU Club Sport teams such as rugby, lacrosse, club volleyball, club soccer, and many more. The Club Sport Player Pass provides an opportunity for students who do not have similar athletic programs at their institutions. It also allows students to establish impactful connections at WOU, through which they can receive hands-on support in identifying a clear pathway to WOU after completing their associate degree.

Additionally, with the support and guidance of National Collegiate Rugby, WOU has established a formal partnership with Chemeketa Community College for full collegiate rugby eligibility. This partnership ensures that Chemeketa students who obtain a Club Sport Player Pass and join the WOU Rugby Club are fully eligible to participate in all team activities, including conference matches and playoff competitions. Rugby eligibility would have been restricted to practices and non-conference matches without this formal partnership.

“We are excited that community college students can now experience the camaraderie and competition of WOU Club Sports,” said Andy Main, associate director of Campus Recreation. “In collaboration with the WOU Admission team, we are also eager to make impactful connections with those individuals to lay out a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree at WOU.” 

Main also shares that the pass will strengthen ties with local community colleges, as seen with Chemeketa Community College, particularly for rugby. He adds that this is a testament to WOU’s dedication to providing a full and enriching Club Sport experience.

Community college students interested in obtaining a WOU Club Sports Player pass must meet the following criteria:

Once an application is submitted and reviewed, Campus Recreation will contact applicants and guide them through the remaining steps, which in most cases will include all of the following:

  • Provide WOU Campus Recreation with transcripts verifying current enrollment at a community college. 
  • Complete all registration processes, forms, and waivers required of any WOU Club Sport participant before participation, which may include registration with a specific Club Sport’s national governing body.
  • Purchase a Club Sports Player Pass from Campus Recreation
  • Pay any Club Sports team dues.
  • Community College students are limited to seven terms of WOU Club Sport eligibility.

Interested community college students are encouraged to visit the WOU Campus Recreation website or contact the WOU Campus Recreation office at 503-838-8513 / maina@wou.edu for more information and assistance with the Club Sport Player pass application.

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About Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa Community College serves the mid-Willamette Valley with campuses in Salem, Dallas, and Woodburn, as well as online options. Chemeketa is committed to providing accessible, quality education and workforce development opportunities.

About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

From classroom to spotlight: Western Oregon University Dance takes center stage with Rainbow Dance Theatre

Pictured: WOU dance majors Olivia Robbins and Christine Anders

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Darryl Thomas, professor of Dance, is the co-artistic director, alongside Valerie Bergman, of a local professional dance company called Rainbow Dance Theatre.

The dance company is associated with Western and local to Polk County, offering world-class choreography and cutting-edge technology. The shows feature extraordinary performances, including wearable electronic costumes, props, and puppets. These performances aim to ignite excitement and curiosity about the technological components of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning and push the boundaries of what is possible in contemporary dance.

“Rainbow Dance Theatre provides an unparalleled bridge between academic training and the real demands of professional performance for WOU’s dance majors and alumni,” says Thomas. “By offering hands-on internships, potential job openings, and exposure to professional expectations, we empower emerging dancers to refine their craft and gain confidence, while enriching the Monmouth community by showcasing its homegrown talent.”

Their latest performance, “The Princess and the Wind,” was on April 13, which highlighted exceptional talent, including Western alumni Madison Malveaux, Moises Martinez Trejo, Tessa Rosenau, Seth Ellingsworth, and Alanna Volk, alongside current dance majors Christine Anders and Olivia Robbins. 

Audiences experienced Rainbow Dance Theatre’s signature lyrically athletic choreography and dynamic non-traditional partnering. Additional performance highlights include a mesmerizing duet on hoverboards, a breathtaking aerial solo performed on Lyra, and dazzling LED costuming, all woven together beautifully by the haunting live musical accompaniment of the Salem Symphonic Winds.

“Being involved with Rainbow Dance Theater has provided me with new experiences in diverse dance styles such as Partnering, African, and various Modern techniques,” shares Christine Anders, a current business and dance major. “We are encouraged to take original phrases of movement and adapt them according to the vision of our rehearsal director. As a student, these collaborative and creative problem-solving skills will be useful in my later career, whether that be in a dance space or the business field.” 

A special excerpt of this performance will be showcased at Western’s Annual Spring Dance concert. This year, concerts will be from May 8 to 10. Get tickets.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.