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Plunkett Center
541-552-6127
Jon Mitchell, Vice President for University
Relations
The primary functions of the Southern Oregon University Foundation are
development, finance, and administration. The Development Office is responsible
for managing annual giving, planned giving, phonathons, scholarship and
award development, and research and grants. The Finance and Administration
Office oversees the financial integrity of the gifting process, ensures
that investment objectives are met for the benefit of the University,
and manages the constituent database, which reflects alumni, friends,
corporate donors, and other financial supporters of the University.
Alumni Relations
Plunkett Center
541-552-6361 or 800-501-7672
Kavinda Arthenayake, Director
The Alumni Relations Office serves as a link between Southern Oregon
University and its alumni. The Alumni Office aims to strengthen ties with
alumni, publicize their achievements, and sponsor events and programs
that are of
interest and benefit to the University, current students, and alumni.
The office maintains a database of alumni, publishes the Southern Oregonian
alumni magazine, conducts reunions, offers travel opportunities, organizes
regional alumni activities, and sponsors two graduate and two undergraduate
scholarships.
Development Office/Foundation
Plunkett Center
541-552-6872
Director for Development
The primary purpose of the Development Office is to raise funds that
enable the University to pursue its mission of education, research, and
charity. This office accomplishes its goals through a variety of activities,
including annual and planned giving, scholarships and awards, phonathons,
auctions, telemarketing activities, direct-mail campaigns, and the researching
and securing of grants.
Finance and Administration Office
Plunkett Center
541-552-6129
Ron Theberge, Director for Finance and
Administration
The SOU Foundation's Finance and Administration Office is entrusted with
the stewardship of SOU's resources. This office performs record-keeping;
prepares financial statements; oversees investments; manages properties
donated to the University; processes all gifts; maintains an extensive,
confidential database of donors; and advises the Board of Trustees and
SOU staff in the stewardship of funds. The Finance and Administration
Office ensures that University funds are used in accordance with donor
stipulations and for the greatest good.
Community Groups
Southern Oregon University
Advisory Board
Churchill 125
541-552-6111
Mary Ellen Fleeger, Executive Director
The Southern Oregon University (SOU) Advisory Board comprises up to twenty-five
members of the southern Oregon region. The group, which meets regularly
to facilitate communication between Southern Oregon University and its
constituencies, plays an active role in advising the University administration
on area interests and needs, with special emphasis on the educational,
economic, social, and cultural betterment of the region. It also serves
as a sounding board for University development of new programs, policies,
and procedures.
The board informs the public about the institutional goals,
educational policies, and specific projects of the University as they
are presented by the administration. Members communicate with groups and
individuals who are charged with responsibility for college-level learning.
These groups include, but are not limited to, the Oregon State Board of
Higher Education and advisory bodies serving other colleges and universities.
The purposes of the group are to:
- s Provide the SOU president with external
perspectives and information about SOU's impact on the region (southern
Oregon and northern California) and on the state of Oregon as a whole,
including ideas about strategic opportunities for SOU to enhance its
service, quality, and value.
- s Offer advice on matters of strategic
planning and initiatives, including its external support and alliances.
- s Take an active role in advocating
for SOU from the perspectives of many different constituencies and communities.
- s Assist the president with special
projects on request and based upon special strengths of board members,
which may include working in collaboration with one or more of the school
advisory committees.
SOU Foundation Board of Trustees
Plunkett Center
541-552-6127
Gary Miller, President of the Board
The Southern Oregon University Foundation was established in 1959 to
maximize the quality of education offered at the University. Economic
and social changes present a constant challenge to a university's ability
to meet standards of excellence. In some areas, this standard cannot be
met with the amount of state funding provided. The SOU Foundation Board
of Trustees consists of thirty-two volunteers from the southern Oregon
region, in addition to national members who help provide additional resources
to the University through the solicitation and management of cash gifts,
bequests, real property, and other assets.
Those who wish to participate or contribute should contact
the SOU Foundation.
SOU Foundation Emeritus Council
Plunkett Center
541-552-6127
Tommi Retzlaff, Chair of the Emeritus Council
The Emeritus Council is an advisory group comprising former Board of
Trustees members. These individuals have been selected by the Board of
Trustees to serve on the Emeritus Council. The mission of the Emeritus
Council is to assist the SOU president and Foundation in undertaking the
University's mission of education, research, and charitable purposes appropriate
for the University, community, and the students it is privileged to serve.
The council was created in 1996 and currently has twenty-nine members.
The Emeritus Council assists the University with its fundraising efforts,
recommends potential candidates for consideration by the Board of Trustees,
and advises the president on the opinions, interests, and desires of the
community as reflected by its leaders.
President's Circle
Plunkett Center
541-552-8158
Gary Gillespie, Coordinator
The President's Circle was established by the president of Southern Oregon
University for
distinguished community leaders and other professionals interested in
higher education in the region. This group of SOU advocates offers the
president advice and assistance on community issues affecting higher education
and Southern Oregon University. Throughout the year, members have the
opportunity to attend special events, which include guest speakers from
political, business, and educational arenas. Annual membership dues are
$1,000 and go into an unrestricted fund for the president's discretionary
use.
Affiliated Organizations
Alumni Association
Kavinda Arthenayake, Director
The mission of the Alumni Association is to perpetuate the bond between
Southern Oregon University and its former students. The association is
governed by an elected volunteer board that is responsible for directing
the association's activities and programs to best serve the needs of alumni.
These activities include sponsoring alumni travel programs, reunions,
regional activities, honoring distinguished alumni, and sponsoring two
undergraduate and two graduate scholarships.
Chamber Music Concerts
Ardelle Fellows, Interim Director
The Chamber Music Concerts program supports the mission of the University
in the fine and performing arts through the sponsorship of Chamber Music
Concerts and the promotion of chamber music on campus and in the community.
Friends of the Library
Sue Burkholder, Executive Director
The Friends of the Library organization fosters a close relationship
between the University Library and the residents of the larger community
it serves. In addition to assisting with the development of library resources
and services, the Friends of the Library provides an active forum for
the interchange of information about books and writing by sponsoring lectures
and literary events.
Friends of the Schneider Museum of Art
Mary Gardiner, Interim Director
The Friends of the Schneider Museum of Art is a community-based organization
supporting the museum and the visual arts at Southern Oregon University.
Friends actively participate in museum programs and provide a link between
the museum and the community.
Raider Club
Phillip A. Pifer, Executive Director
The Raider Club works to build support and encourage interest and participation
in intercollegiate varsity sports at Southern Oregon University. The major
goal of this group is to raise funds for student-athlete scholarships.
Occasionally, separate fundraising drives are conducted to enhance the
athletic program through the purchase of equipment and facility improvement.
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