Wolfbytes 11/6/2023 - Marketing & Communication

Western Oregon University’s Newsletter: November 6, 2023

For the fall term of 2023, the university experienced a five percent rise in overall headcount compared to the same period in 2022.

A Message from President Peters

Jesse Peters in a ball cap

Dear Community:

I’d like to reflect on the incredible successes we have achieved during this term at Western Oregon University. The power of this community and this institution is evident in these accomplishments and in so many others.

Our university has been soaring to new heights, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our campus and community. We have recently been awarded top-tier grants, such as the National Science Foundation award to boost innovation and partnerships and a Title III grant from the Department of Education which will help us innovate, expand, and improve systems for student support and success. Several individuals from our university have also been selected to participate in prestigious national leadership programs. These activities not only reflect our commitment to excellence but also signal to the world that we are leaders in our respective fields.

One of the most exciting developments this term is the increase in overall enrollment compared to last fall. This remarkable achievement underscores the strengths of our university and our ability to provide a vibrant and enriching learning environment for our students. We are not just growing in numbers, but also in the quality of education and experiences we offer. And we should all be particularly proud that the overall retention rate increased last year as well.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support and partnership. It is your dedication and commitment that makes these achievements possible. Together, we are shaping a bright future for our university and the students it serves.

I invite all of you to continue to be part of our journey and encourage you to participate in more of our events and engage in the vibrant campus life here at Western. We are stronger together, and I look forward to all the wonderful milestones we will achieve in the future.

We. Are. Wolves.

News

Western sees first enrollment boost in over a decade

The fall term experienced a boost in overall enrollment, marking the first substantial increase in over a decade.

Western celebrates over 50 new diversity scholars

Western’s Multicultural Student Services and Programs hosted its annual Diversity Scholars recognition celebration for the 2023-2024 academic year, dedicated to celebrating students’ academic excellence and commitment to diversity.

Western celebrates homecoming week

Western kicked off its highly anticipated homecoming week, bringing together alumni, students, and the local community for a week filled with fun, festivities, and school spirit.

Western receives NSF award to boost innovation and industry partnerships

Western received a significant award from the U.S. National Science Foundation for the inaugural Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity initiative. The award will support growing industry connections to allow faculty to dive into more research and development projects and expand the spectrum of workforce readiness options for students.

The College Tour comes to Western!

The award-winning series, The College Tour, was on campus last month filming ten outstanding Western students. These students shared their stories and experiences and we can’t wait until the episode premieres next year. We will be hosting a watch party for the episode in January. Stay tuned, you won’t want to miss it!

Check out our segment of Coffee with the President hosted by Alex Boylan featuring President Peters and our Ask Admissions segment featuring Director of Admissions Jamiere Abney.

Western Success Story: Ben Stange ’03

Ben Stange ‘03, has made significant strides in his career as the Polk County Fire Chief for District No.1 graduating from Western with a major in Spanish. Check out his story.

Message from Advancement

A Message of Gratitude from the WOU Foundation & Alumni

Katie Wojke, vice president of Advancement & executive director of the WOU Foundation shares a message of appreciation and gratitude. Watch the message.