President’s Newsroom
Volume II, Issue 1: January 2008
Message from President Cullinan
Welcome to 2008! During the winter break, I hope you had a chance not only to celebrate and recharge, but also to reflect on the achievements of this past fall term and look forward to the excitement of the new year.
I was pleased to start off the new term with a trip to Bellevue, Washington, to meet with our accrediting body, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. They were very impressed and supportive of the work we’ve been doing on this campus. We should receive their final letter regarding our re-accreditation within the next few weeks.
As I mentioned in my January 7 blog, we’ll be working this year to ensure that the SOU campuses in both Ashland and Medford have effective practices in place to respond to issues of campus safety and security. I have appointed a Core Operations Team, headed by Eric Rodriguez and Steve Ross, that also includes Laura O’Bryon, Larry Blake, Teri O’Rourke, Bill Smith, Paul Steinle, and Byron Patton. Treasa Sprague staffs the team, and Jonathan Eldridge serves as liaison to the Executive Committee. The team will recommend responses to potentially critical situations so the right people will be contacted (on and off campus) and appropriate strategies will be quickly implemented.
Campus Events
On Saturday, January 12, we honored Brenda Ober Johnson as our Distinguished Alumna of 2007 at a special President’s Circle dinner. Brenda graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. At the same time, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) on our campus. Brenda is now executive director of La Clinica del Valle, a healthcare organization aimed at serving Jackson County’s low-income residents. She has had a profound impact on the community through her dedicated and dynamic leadership. Brenda embodies the best of our alumni, and we are delighted to celebrate her as our 2007 Distinguished Alumna.
Brenda Ober Johnson
The Trillium Ensemble performed on Monday, January 14, in the SOU Music Recital Hall. Three years ago, Associate Professor of Music Rhett Bender (clarinet and saxophone), Executive Director of Music Jody Schmidt (horn), and Professor of Music Alexander Tutunov (piano) began performing together as the Trillium Ensemble. Joining the trio was flutist Debra Harris. The group has performed all over the world, but this was their first concert in Ashland.
From left: Rhett Bender, Alexander Tutunov, and Jody Schmidt
A poetry reading commemorating Oregon’s late Poet Laureate William Stafford is scheduled for Thursday, January 17, 2008, at 7 p.m. in the Meese Meeting Room (LIB 305) in SOU’s Hannon Library. Six poets will each read one of their own poems, as well as a poem by Stafford. Featured readers include Oregon Poet Laureate and SOU Emeritus Professor Lawson Inada and Associate Professor of English and Writing K. Silem Mohammad, as well as Amy Miller, Jay Schroeder, Dori Appel, and Ann Magill. Audience members are also invited to read their favorite Stafford poems.
Oregon Poet Laureate and SOU Emeritus Professor Lawson Inada
The Schneider Museum of Art opened two print exhibitions on January 8, 2008. SKIN features the work of University of Alberta (U of A) professor emeritus Walter Jule, who has been instrumental in establishing the U of A and the city of Edmonton, Canada, as an internationally recognized center for printmaking. In addition to his accomplishments in printmaking, he also served as a mentor to Associate Professor of Art and Art History Tracy Templeton. Mr. Jule will deliver a lecture on Thursday, January 17, at 5 p.m. in the Meese Auditorium, with a reception to follow at the museum.
Opening concurrently with Mr. Jule’s work is Cross-Currents: International Prints from the University of Alberta featuring the work of U of A faculty, former students, and artists who have participated in the University of Alberta visiting artists-in-residence printmaking program.
Artwork by Katsunori Hamanishi
Campus Gatherings
On January 9, we continued our Campus Connections meetings with a get-together hosted by the Provost’s Office. These gatherings are great opportunities for faculty and staff to talk together, get to know one another, and thank each other for great work being done on campus. I encourage you to attend future Campus Connections at noon in the Stevenson Union’s Rogue River Room. Please mark these dates on your calendar: February 13, March 12, April 9, May 14, and June 11. See you there!
Hannon Library Coffee House and the Civic Engagement Program are co-hosting a Conversation Cafe series. Their first week includes meetings on Tuesday, January 15, at 5 p.m. and Thursday, January 17, at 1 p.m. at the Hannon Library Coffee House.
Conversation Cafes are open, hosted, drop-in conversations among people with diverse views and a shared passion for engaging with others. Conversation Cafes provide a safe setting for talking with others over coffee about items that matter. The events are open to faculty, staff, students, and community members. Next week’s discussions is titled Civil Rights Leaders of Yesterday and Today. There will be a 50-cent discount on all drinks during the hosted Conversation Cafe. For more information, please contact Cerissa Payment at 541-552-6454 or vista@sou.edu. You can also check out www.conversationcafe.org.
If you or any students you know are planning to apply for graduate school, Zoila Castaneda (McNair Program Scholar 2007 cohort) has formed a GRE study group here at SOU. This group will meet on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in the Commuter Resource Center.
Student Spotlight
Kyle Temple, Tomas Rosa, and Tommie Norton have recently been awarded the Pete Belcastro “Weed Assassin” Memorial Wrestling Scholarship. These $2,000 athletic scholarships are given annually to promote wrestling, academics, and well-rounded personal growth.
The Pete Belcastro “Weed Assassin” Memorial Wrestling Scholarship was established at SOU to honor the memory of Pete Belcastro, a longtime professional wrestler known as the “Weed Assassin.” From 1929 to 1941, Belcastro was the world junior heavyweight professional wrestling champion for four years. Belcastro and his wife later settled in Weed, California.
And, speaking of wrestling, congratulations to our wrestling team, who defeated the San Francisco State Gators 31–9 on the SF State campus on January 4.
Staff Spotlight
I’m thrilled to announce the appointment of Christine Florence as our new Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for SOU. She brings extensive experience, knowledge, and a strong background in marketing. I am delighted to have her on our administrative team. Please join me in welcoming Christine!
Christine Florence
