Western Oregon University’s Newsletter: May 2026
Dear Community,
Thank you to everyone who attended our Wolves Athletic Auction this past weekend. It was a pleasure to see so many familiar faces and welcome so many new ones. Your support for our student athletes truly makes a difference in their lives and helps them pursue their goals both on the field and in the classroom.
As our spring term comes to a close, we’re grateful for an outstanding year and have especially enjoyed watching our students grow, learn, and flourish.
On June 13, I invite you to join us to celebrate the more than 1,000 students who will graduate this year at commencement on McArthur Field at 10:00 a.m. Our commencement speaker will be Vice President for Student Affairs, Tina Fuchs who will be retiring this month.
Over her distinguished 35-year career at Western, Tina has exemplified what it means to lead with compassion, collaboration, preparedness, and a belief in the potential of every student. We wish her the very best as she begins a new chapter filled with health, happiness, and continued success in all her future endeavors.
Thank you again for your continued support of our university and I look forward to connecting with you all soon!
We. Are. Wolves.
Jesse Peters, President
Western Oregon University
Join us at the 40th Annual Wolves Athletic Auction
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Saturday, May 30 at the Wolves Athletic Center
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Check-in begins at 5:00 PM, Dinner and Auction begin at 6:00 PM
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TJoin fellow WOU fans at this fun-filled event to support our student athletes! Great food, drinks, and auction items to bid on and don’t forget about the LIVE auction!
Upcoming Events & Notable Dates
Smith Fine Arts Series
Season Tickets
We are excited to share our 48th season of world-class performing arts with you! This season promises to be among the best yet, with six fantastic performances featuring bluegrass, Latin fusion, a brass quintet, and a little bit of everything in between. This season has something for everyone! Come as you are and experience the transformative power of music and dance with the Smith Fine Arts Series.
University News
Finding support, building connections, and turning passion into opportunity
Sophomore and first generation student Yair Gomez Romero chose to attend Western Oregon University partly because of a family connection. Little did he know that his own journey would be so smooth, especially after moving from Clackamas, Oregon to the smaller town of Monmouth.
Record donor turnpout for Giving Day
This year, WOU had achieved a number of milestones: 1,144 gifts from 966 donors, a record-high total, raising over $255,000, also a record. Unlocking the BIG Gift of $25,000 happened with the support of 500 donors, and the surprise Challenge Gift of $20,000 for the new WOU Data Center, was unlocked by an additional 150 donors.
Melanie Landon-Hays named acting Dean of the College of Education
Landon-Hays has been a faculty member at WOU since 2013 and brings extensive institutional knowledge, deep pedagogical expertise, and a strong commitment to educator preparation to her new leadership position.
Scholarship reception celebrates student success and inspires giving
After nearly a decade hiatus, WOU and the WOU Foundation brought back the annual Scholarship Reception, an event that recognizes and celebrates student scholarship recipients and the donors who fund them.
Two students awarded the second annual Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing
Students Malia Vican and Sadie Latimer were awarded this prize which recognizes exceptional student writing that reflects a deep engagement with the natural world.
Ben Barlow named director of alumni and parent engagement
Barlow is a Western alumnus and earned an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies and a graduate degree in organizational leadership. Most recently, he served in a student leadership development coordinator role at WOU, overseeing leadership programming, advising student government, and assessing program effectiveness through measurable outcomes.
WOU Athletic Homegames
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.
Western Oregon University. Where YOU Belong!
Western Oregon University
345 Monmouth Ave. Monmouth OR, 97361
wou.edu
24 new members inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honors society
Women’s soccer adds Graham to coaching staff
Men’s basketball head coach Orton announces the 2026 men’s basketball signing class
Greetings Wolf Nation! The weather is shifting into Spring, and I can feel the energy all around campus. We have a lot going on at Western Oregon, and this first edition of WolfBytes marks an exciting moment. The MarCom team has been hard at work developing this newsletter to better inform the campus community and external audiences about the great things happening at WOU. So check it out and help us distribute it by sending it out on your own social networks. We have much to celebrate. And don’t forget to submit story ideas using the link at the bottom of the newsletter. Then put on your most comfortable Crocs® and enjoy the beautiful weather!
Just over a year ago, I became president of Western Oregon University. It has been a year filled with both challenges and achievements. We have worked together as a cohesive team, focused on the success of our students, and embraced the power of the supportive and welcoming community that defines the Western experience.
