Western Oregon University’s Newsletter: March 5th, 2025

Family Weekend is back!

This past weekend, over two hundred students and family members participated in Family Weekend, an annual celebration of connection, community, and fun. Participants enjoyed brunch, basketball games, cornhole tournaments, a theatre production, and a welcome dinner with President Peters. It’s a wonderful time to be a Wolf!

A Message from President Peters

Dear Community,

Our Giving Day, Howl from the Heart, is tomorrow, March 4! This is a great opportunity for each of you to show your support for WOU. Your contributions make a significant impact on our programs, scholarships, and student organizations and clubs. Every donation, no matter the size, provides critical resources that enhance our students’ college experience and help them thrive. All funds raised this day count toward the $20M Wolves Rising Campaign goal.

I encourage all of you to participate and make a difference in the lives of our students. Together, we can continue to foster an environment of excellence and support. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to WOU!

We. Are. Wolves.

Jesse Peters, President

Western Oregon University

Pictured LTR: President Peters, Ava Engelhard (ASWOU Chief of Staff), Maddie Coudriet (ASWOU Director of Student Organizations), Emily Phoun (ASWOU Judicial Board Vice Chair), and Maggie Bartosovsky (ASWOU Senate President).

Upcoming Events & Notable Dates

March 4:  Howl from the Heart: WOU’s Annual Giving Day. Learn More.

March 7:  Regional Alumni Gathering in Eugene. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. PLAY Eugene – 232 W. 5th Ave, Eugene, OR. Free appetizers and two drink tickets per person, fun & games for all. Bring your families. RSVP.

March 15: Smith Fine Arts Series: Marty Isenberg’s Wes Anderson Playlist. 7:30 p.m. Rice Auditorium Get tickets.

March 22: Alumni Doubleheader Softball Game: First game at noon, second game at 2:30 p.m. Tailgate party after the second game. Food, drinks, and great company provided. RSVP.

April 12: Smith Fine Arts Series: BEO String Quartet. 7:30 p.m. Rice Auditorium Get tickets.

April 18: Regional Alumni Gathering in Bend 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. Willamette Valley Vineyards. Enjoy complimentary WOU gear, delicious food as we reconnect and celebrate. RSVP

May 22: Jensen Lecture Series: More information forthcoming.

May 26: 39th Wolves Athletic Auction. New PE Building. Check-in at 5 p.m. Dinner & Auction at 6 p.m. Get tickets.

May 31: Memorial Day Campus Closed

June 7: Smith Fine Arts Series: The Revelers. 7:30 p.m. Rice Auditorium Get tickets

June 13: Forever Wolves Grad Party. Details forthcoming.

June 14: Commencement. 10 a.m. McArthur Field.

June 19: Juneteenth Campus Closed

July 4: Monmouth Independence Day Parade. Walk with WOU in the parade. Details forthcoming.

University News

WOU enhances anatomy education with cutting-edge cadaver technology

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program incorporates Anatomage technology into its curriculum, offering students exceptional opportunities to explore human anatomy through advanced digital representations of real cadavers.

Alumna Danyel Smith receives prestigious California Educator Award

Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken announced that Danyel Smith, an American Sign Language teacher, as California’s sole Milken Educator Award recipient for 2024-25. Along with the Award’s national recognition and membership to the Milken Educator Network, Smith received a $25,000 cash prize. Smith earned a bachelor’s in American Sign Language studies from Western Oregon University in 2011 and a master’s in education from Azusa Pacific University in 2016.

WOU offers free tax prep services to the community

Through the Volunteer Assistance Program, WOU is offering free tax preparation services. Through April 15, individuals can take advantage of expert, complimentary tax preparation services provided by IRS-certified students and staff. Services are available in English and Spanish.

Kwabena Boakye selected as Vice President for Finance and Administration

Kwabena Boakye has been selected as the new Vice President for Finance and Administration, effective Feb. 28. Boakye brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education, having held prominent leadership roles as Vice President for Administrative Services at Grays Harbor College and Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. In these positions, he provided strategic direction for finance and administration, developed financial health dashboards, and ensured both short-term fiscal solvency and long-term sustainability.

Fall 2024 Honor Roll announced

Undergraduate students are named to the Honor Roll and President’s list for their academic honors for the fall 2024 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 Research Institute at WOU receives Ford Family Foundation grant to support childcare providers

The Research Institute announced that it has been awarded the Rural Early Learning Facility Improvement Grant from the Ford Family Foundation to continue its vital work in enhancing capital improvements for childcare providers. This grant marks a significant continuation of efforts that began in 2021 and the grant addresses a critical funding gap for early learning and care programs, particularly in rural areas of Oregon.

Earth & Environmental Science Program secures $420,000 NSF Grant for research and hands-on learning

As part of project implementation related to the grant awarded from the National Science Foundation Division of Research, Innovation, Synergies and Education last year, the Earth and Environmental Science program is initiating a stipend support program to provide financial assistance for both existing students on campus and new incoming recruits.

WOU Athletic Homegames

Upcoming Home Games:

March 7: Softball vs. Central Washington University. 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
March 8: Softball vs. Central Washington University. Noon & 2 p.m.
March 21: Softball vs. Simon Fraser University. 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
March 22: Softball vs. Simon Fraser University. Noon & 2 p.m.
March 29: Baseball vs. Saint Martin’s University. 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
March 30: Baseball vs. Saint Martin’s University Noon & 2 p.m.

Stay up-to-date in Atheltics. Check out the athletics schedule

Catch up on the action with scores, photos, videos, and more on our social media channels (@wou_wolves) and website. If you can’t make it to the game, catch it live or replay it on YouTube.

WOU in the News

Funding Student Success: Beer sales bolster Latino student-athlete scholarship program

WOU selects Joy Brown as new admissions director

Listen to the newest episode of the Monmouth Monthly podcast

Join the Emeritus Society

The Emeritus Society is a group of friends of WOU who enjoy learning new things and exploring the community. Benefits of membership include monthly meetings with interesting topics and engaging presenters, field trips, events, Emeritus Society newsletter, sports, performing arts schedules, and supporting WOU students through scholarships.

Become a member today!

Western Oregon University. Where YOU Belong!