All NEWS
Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University unveils its new transformative strategic plan accompanied by a new mission and vision statement and core values that was approved by the Western Oregon University Board of Trustees at the February...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s College of Education has received a Grow Your Own grant (GYO) from the Educator Advancement Council. This funding aims to address the critical need for recruiting and retaining educators across the career continuum. Under...
Pictured from left to right: Malissa Larson, Megan Habermann-Guthrie, Leanne Merrill Ph.D., and Melanie Landon-Hays Ph.D. MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University staff from the Division of Student Affairs has been selected for The Northwest Commission on...
Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Since 1999, Western Oregon University’s Division of Behavioral Sciences has supported Talmadge Middle School students in Independence, Oregon to foster positive mentoring relationships. Juniors and seniors at Western...
Pictured: Henry Hughes Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University Professor of Literature and Writing Henry Hughes, Ph.D., recently returned from an expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula to...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University along with the six other Oregon public higher education institutions, lobbied together at the Oregon State Capitol building during Advocacy Day which took place on February 8 during the 2024 legislative session. All seven...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to highlight the accomplishments of former Oregon State Representative and alum Teresa Alonso Leon ‘02. Alonso Leon received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Western and a Master of Public Administration...
Starting from back left: Max Smoot-Brown, Layla William, Nancy Montecinos, Wolfie, President Peters, David Echevarria, Hunter Hall, Brenda Rocio Martinez, and Aneli Godinez-Martinez at The College Tour VIP launch event. Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. –...
Starting from left to right: Brenda Rocio Martinez, Ricardo Pelegrin, Ph.D., Mary Pettenger, Ph.D., Makeena Helseth, Tyler Plath, Sophie Davenport. MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Model United Nations (MUN) club hosted its annual International Awareness...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces its annual Giving Day, Howl from the Heart, on March 5, 2024. Giving Day is a crowdfunding day that allows everyone to financially contribute to the projects they want to focus on. Since its inception in 2016, the...
Photo credit: @woucampusrecreation MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University will be hosting its annual Health & Exercise Science Career Day on February 8. This event invites current and prospective students to explore the exciting opportunities in public health...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Cybercrime Investigations and Enforcement (CIE) is an innovative and hands-on program, that addresses the critical skills gap in cybercrime investigations for businesses and especially public service agencies in Oregon. The...
Image of Geological Society of America conference poster presentations MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Earth and Environmental Science (EES) Alumni Society presented at the recent Geological Society of America conference, highlighting the program’s...
Pictured: Students hanging out in the Veterans Resource CenterMONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University recently was selected as one of 14 institutions to receive funding from the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs through the Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant,...
AARP and the IRS sponsor Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs that offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to...
Image of Western students participating in day of service for MLK Jr. Day MONMOUTH, Ore. – In honor of the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Western Oregon University is excited to share the opportunities happening this month to commemorate his life and...
Pictured starting from left: Halley Read, Ph.D., OTR/L, Katie O’Day President, OTAO MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Halley Read Ph.D., OTR/L, doctoral capstone coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, was recently the recipient of...
Photo of Breeann Flesch, Ph.D. MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces the appointment of Breeann Flesch Ph.D., as interim dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Flesch assumed the role on Jan. 1, 2024. Flesch joined Western in 2011 and brings diverse...
Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Since 1856, Western Oregon University has been committed to the region, to serving the people of Oregon, and to the core values of student success. As an innovative public liberal arts institution historically...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Smith Fine Arts Series is proud to present the Rainbow Dance Theatre’s “Maria de Buenos Aires” on January 19, 2024. This interactive performance will mesmerize the audience with its display of dancing lights. The dance...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces the undergraduate students that have been named to the Honor Roll and President’s List for their academic honors for fall 2023. In recognition of academic achievement, the university makes public at the close...
Image of Emily Swart ’20MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to highlight the achievements of alumni, Emily Swart ‘20. She majored in interdisciplinary studies, leading her to embark on a fulfilling career as the donor relations manager at Marion...
Pictured left to right: Jaxon Hutchinson, Meriby Salgado Ydrac, and Arlette Tapia Written by Maureen Brakke, Director of Marketing and Communications MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to showcase the achievements of three outstanding students who...
Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Professor of Theatre and Dance, Leslie Watanabe, has received several prestigious awards for his film Bonsai released this year. It was showcased at various film festivals this year. Bonsai is a...
Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University, in partnership with Unitus Credit Union, hosted a reception last month to celebrate eight Unitus Bilingual Teachers Scholars scholarship recipients. This scholarship aims to foster diversity and...
Pictured from left: Ricardo Pelegrin Taboada, Ph.D., Mary Pettenger, Ph.D.MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to announce a new major in Ethnic Studies, starting fall 2024-25. This major aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate...
By Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Rugby at Western Oregon University isn’t just a sport; it’s a vibrant community, an avenue for growth, and a catalyst for inclusivity. Over the years, Western has evolved into a central hub for rugby in Oregon, embracing...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Cannon Gallery of Art proudly presents the exceptional artwork of the Art & Design Department faculty. This biennial exhibition showcases the remarkable talent and creativity of faculty members, offering a diverse range...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to host the 56th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, a beloved event that brings joy and unity to campus and the community. This year’s ceremony promises to be a memorable experience for all who attend. The...
Pictured, clockwise from top left: Beth Priddy, Carl Garon, Hunter Hall, Tyler Plath, Maddux Gillett, Daizy Hernandez Sorian, Shabryn Herrera, Eva Alvarez, Lilli Jacobs, Destiney TannerMONMOUTH, Ore. – Associated Students of Western Oregon University (ASWOU), the...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is excited to highlight the successful journey of alumnus Juan Larios ‘01, ‘06, who currently serves as Superintendent for the Woodburn School District. Larios, who received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is thrilled to announce its successful inaugural open house for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. The event took place on Nov 4 and attracted approximately 75 attendees, with a significant number...
By Maureen Brakke, director of Marketing & CommunicationsThe American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) has selected 22 outstanding higher education leaders to participate in its 2023 Academy for New Provosts (ANP), a leadership development...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Theatre Department is proud to announce the upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s timeless classic, Much Ado About Nothing. This play is part of the ongoing commitment to provide students with a solid foundation in...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University proudly celebrates First-Generation College Celebration Day, a day that recognizes and celebrates the achievements and aspirations of first-generation college students. As an institution dedicated to fostering student success...
Image: Kristen Perry, director of Abby’s House MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University was recently awarded a substantial three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, totaling $396,766. This grant is poised to...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University invites aspiring occupational therapists and the general public to an open house for the new Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program starting fall of 2024 this Saturday, Nov. 4 from 1-3 p.m. The event will be held at the...
Top left: Hunter Hall, bottom left: Dave Novotney, top right: Joyce Peters, bottom right: Linda Yorke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University Foundation announces four new members to its Foundation Board. The new members, Hunter Hall ’23, Linda Yorke, Dave Novotney...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces a momentous boost in overall enrollment, marking the first substantial increase in over a decade. For the fall term of 2023, the university experienced a remarkable five percent rise in overall...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University President Jesse Peters announced the appointment of Venu Nair as the General Counsel for the institution. Nair will begin this role Oct. 23. “Mr. Nair’s deep experience in higher education and his commitment to diversity,...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Multicultural Student Services and Programs (MSSP) hosted its annual Diversity Scholars recognition celebration for the 2023-2024 academic year, dedicated to celebrating students’ academic excellence and commitment to...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University received a significant award from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for the inaugural Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) initiative. The funding amounts to nearly $1.2 million, with...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to highlight the exceptional journey of alumnus Ben Stange ‘03, who has made significant strides in his career as the Polk County Fire Chief for District No.1. After graduating from Western with a major in...
Top left: Dr. Gustavo Balderas, Ph.D., bottom left: Mark Zook, right: Katherine CookMonmouth, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Awards for 2023. Since 1985, Western has selected one award...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is thrilled to kick off its highly anticipated homecoming week, a time-honored tradition that brings together alumni, students, and the local community for a week filled with fun, festivities, and school spirit. This...
Doris I. Cancel-Tirado, Ph.D. on the left. Dominique Vargas on the right.
By Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is one of 21 higher education institutions in the country recognized for their leadership and commitment to continuous improvement by The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)....
By Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore.- Western Oregon University was recently awarded a prestigious U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Title III grant for the first time, securing the full amount of $2,048,136. This accomplishment was the result of a collaborative effort...
By Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to partner with the nation’s largest scholarship and success program for immigrant youth, TheDream.US, to help more Dreamers achieve their college and career goals. This year, Western Oregon...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Smith Fine Arts Series is thrilled to invite you to an unforgettable journey through the world of live performing arts in the heart of Rice Auditorium on campus. As we celebrate the 46th season, we are excited to present a...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces the undergraduate students that have been named to the Honor Roll and President’s List for their academic honors for summer 2023. In recognition of academic achievement, the university makes public at the close...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Peter and the Wolves, a beloved Hood to Coast Relay team, is proud to mark its 32nd year of participation in this iconic Oregon event. Founded in 1991 by Peter Courtney, the team has evolved over the years into a tight-knit...
By Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University recently named Raeann Salchenberg as the new Director of Alumni Engagement effective September 25. This position is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with Western’s former students,...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University welcomes the 23-24 incoming students with PACK Welcome Week (Prepare, Advise, Connect, Know), a jam-packed week of exciting activities to help them become acclimated to campus life, one week before classes begin. From...
MONMOUTH, Ore. –Western Oregon University Foundation released its annual report for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The report includes total contributions to the Foundation for 2022-2023, as well as recent fiscal year results on Endowment, Scholarships, and...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University Board of Trustees unanimously approved two undergraduate certificates in American Sign Language studies, which are the first in the region. Both certificates, one beginner and the other intermediate, were developed in...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University offers a new Healthcare Administration Graduate Certificate which will support the growing healthcare industry and increasing healthcare needs of Salem and surrounding areas. According to The Occupational Information...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University alumni Jerielle Cartales ‘13, aspired to be a forensic anthropologist since high school, after watching the television show, Bones. Western’s forensic anthropology minor, coupled with a major in Biology, was the opportunity...
Photo of Western students unveiling Peace Pole
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces the following undergraduate students’ names for the Honor Roll for their academic accomplishments in the spring 2023 semester. The honor roll is composed of students who earned 12 credits or more which are not...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University will hold a ceremony to commemorate the groundbreaking of its new Student Success Center on Monday, August 7. What: Student Success Center Groundbreaking Ceremony When: Monday, August 7th, 2023 Where: 435 Monmouth Ave N...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University President, Dr. Jesse Peters, recently named Maureen Brakke as the university’s Director of Marketing and Communications, effective July 31st. “Not only does she have the experience and skills to immediately have a...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University held its 166th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The ceremony was held on McArthur Field under ideal weather conditions for Monmouth, Oregon. Following three years of alternative Commencement ceremonies,...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University Vice President of Student Affairs, Tina Fuchs, recently named Jamiere Abney as the university’s Director of Admissions, effective June 30. “Jamiere is a high-level strategic thinker with a strong enrollment management...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University President Jesse Peters named Dr. Jose Coll as the university’s next Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Coll will start in the new role on June 30th. “Dr. Coll’s experiences in higher education leadership have...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces its first doctoral program in Occupational Therapy (OT). Classes will be held at the WOU: Salem campus beginning in the fall of 2024. “It is wonderful to see Western Oregon moving to address the needs of the state...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is pleased to announce that Dan Rayfield, who serves as Oregon’s 69th Speaker of the House, will be this year’s keynote speaker for the 2023 Commencement Ceremony on June 17th, 2023. A WOU alum 03’, Speaker Rayfield...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Dr. Jesse Peters, Western Oregon University President, names Desiree Noah as the university’s Executive Director of Human Resources. Please join us in congratulating Desiree Noah, who will begin her role on June 26th. “Desiree Noah is the right leader...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – On April 26th, 2023, Western Oregon University hosted its 2nd Annual Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Summit. The first Summit, in April 2022, focused on developing a shared understanding of what it means to be a federally-designated HSI. This...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Board of Trustees convened April 18th and 19th to consider and approve several items, including the Tuition & Fees for 2023-2024 Academic Year & Summer 2023. The Tuition Advisory Committee, which includes students,...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University Wolves Athletic Auction is returning for its 37th year on Saturday, June 3, and again will feature an in-person and online silent auction with several great items up for bid. This is the most impactful...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Write Place, a nonprofit founded at Western Washington University in 2013 and dedicated to creating and supporting literary and artistic projects that inspire appreciation of humanity’s intimate relationship with the natural environment, is moving...
Congratulations to all Western Oregon University students who made Honor Roll! Please note: The lists are published two days after grades are posted for the preceding term and are not updated with grade changes received after that date. Victor...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – The 2023 Western Oregon University Giving Day (Howl from the Heart) was a great success! More than 500 benefactors made gifts to support 74 different funds to benefit students and programs. As of Friday, March 17, $205,795 has been raised due to your...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University President, Jesse Peters, recently named Ricardo Lujan Valerio as the university’s Director of Government Relations, effective January 16th. “I am pleased to welcome Rico to the leadership team at Western. Not only does...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Smith Fine Arts Series presents a striking lineup of shows this 2022-2023 season, including Considering Matthew Shepard on March 3rd and 11th, 2023. The March 3rd performance supports the WOU choral program....
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University has met the Tree Campus Higher Education standards for 8 years now. WOU is one of just eight higher education campuses in Oregon that obtained this recognition. Acquiring and maintaining this status has created many...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Title II report, Western Oregon University remains the largest preparer of newly licensed teachers in Oregon for the second year in a row. WOU graduated 14.56% of all licensed teachers in the state...
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University President, Jesse Peters, recently named Katie Wojke as the university’s Vice President of Advancement, effective January 30. “She is a productive fundraiser, partnering with donors to support students, faculty, and...
It’s no secret that one of the biggest Western Oregon University selling points is its location. From its vantage point in the Mid-Willamette Valley, WOU is primed to dispatch students to day trips on the sandy beach shore, up snow-capped mountains or into lush...
