Western Oregon University’s Newsletter: April 2026

Dear Community,

I’m excited to share a few highlights as we head into a busy and exciting spring on campus.

First, mark your calendars for Giving Day on April 7. We’ll be revealing our big gift that day, and there’s still time to support your favorite project. You can view the full list of projects and contribute here. On April 3, we’ll be celebrating our alumni award recipients and hope you can join us in recognizing their accomplishments and contributions to our community.

On April 17 we’ll host our 5th annual Hispanic Serving Institution Summit. This gathering brings together individuals from across the region to explore how we can best align and advance our commitment to serving students. I’m proud of the momentum we’ve built over the years and the important conversations and collaborations this summit sparks.

Please also join us for the Wolves Athletic Auction on May 30. There will be fantastic auction items that directly support our amazing student‑athletes. Your participation helps provide resources and opportunities that make a real difference in their collegiate experience.

We. Are. Wolves.

Jesse Peters, President
Western Oregon University

Support our students today!

Upcoming Events & Notable Dates

April 3: Alumni Awards Night. Get tickets.
April 10: Smith Fine Arts Series Concert: De Tierra Caliente. 7:30 p.m. Rice Auditorium. Get tickets.
April 17: Hispanic Serving Institution Summit. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. RSVP.
April 30: Oregon Poet Laurate Ellen Waterson Reading. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. More info.
May 7: Spring Dance Concert. Featuring choreography by dance faculty and guest artists. Rice Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Get tickets.
May 8: Spring Dance Concert. Featuring choreography by dance faculty and guest artists. Rice Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Get tickets.
May 9: Spring Dance Concert. Featuring choreography by dance faculty and guest artists. Rice Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Get tickets.
May 16: TEDxMtHood. At WOU’s Rice Auditorium. Get tickets.
May 16-June 5: Juried Student Art Exhibition. Cannon Gallery in Campbell Hall and Flux Space in the ITC Building. All day.
May 27-May 30: Language of Angles Theatrical Performance. Rice Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Get tickets.
May 28: Student Recital. Smith Recital Hall. 11 a.m. More info.
May 28: Academic Excellence Showcase. The Academic Excellence Showcase is free and open to the public. AES is Western Oregon University’s premier event for showcasing student excellence in research, scholarship and performance. Visitors of all ages are invited to attend presentations, poster sessions and the Presidential Plenary to learn more about the interesting and transformative research our undergraduates pursue each year. More info.
May 30: Wolves Athletic Auction. Get tickets.
June 1: WOU Mariachi los Lobos del Poniente. Smith Recital Hall. 7 p.m. Get tickets.
June 2: WOU Chamber Singers & Concert Choir. Rice Auditorium. 7 p.m. Get tickets.
June 3: WOU Jazz Orchestra. Smith Recital Hall. 7 p.m. Get tickets.
June 4: WOU Wind Ensemble. Rice Auditorium. 7 p.m. Get tickets.
June 5: WOU Voices. Smith Recital Hall. 7 p.m. Get tickets.
June 6: Smith Fine Arts Series Concert: Taimane. 7:30 p.m. Rice Auditorium. Get tickets.
June 7: WOU Wolf Pack Percussion Ensemble. Rice Auditorium. 7 p.m. Get tickets.
June 13: Commencement. McArthur Field. More info.
July 18: Summer Baseball Alumni, Parents & Friends Event at the Eugene Emeralds. More information forthcoming.
July 24: Summer Baseball Alumni, Parents & Friends Event at the Hillsboro Hops. More information forthcoming.
July 30: Summer Baseball Alumni, Parents & Friends Event at the Salem Marionberries. More information forthcoming.
July 31: Summer Baseball Alumni, Parents & Friends Event at the Tacoma Rainiers. More information forthcoming.
October 23: Wolves on the Green Golf Tournament. More information forthcoming.
October 23: Athletics Hall of Fame. More information forthcoming.
October 23-24: Homecoming. More information forthcoming.

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.

Get tickets now!

University News

WOU takes bold step toward enhancing student success with Gardner Institute’s strategic support

WOU was selected to participate in the Sensemaking & Strategic Prioritization process with the Gardner Institute. This program, made possible through the generous support of the Gates Foundation, focuses on enhancing student success at institutions who demonstrate a commitment to accessibility, particularly for undergraduate students with a Pell recipient population of 25 percent or more.

Read More

WOU BasketballStudent athletes named to College Academic All District Honors

WOU had three players earn College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors when the women’s and men’s basketball teams were announced Tuesday. On the women’s side, Natalie Brown and Ciona Wells earned the honor while Braydon Olson earned the honor for the men.

Read More

Teacher and classThe Research Institute awarded the Rural Learning Facility Improvement Grant from the Ford Family Foundation

The Research Institute announces the receipt of its fourth Rural Facility Improvement Grant from the Ford Family Foundation, totaling $1,482,500. This grant addresses a crucial funding gap affecting early learning and care programs, particularly in rural areas.

Read More

Abraham VillalobosStudent soccer athlete named to U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team training camp roster

Abraham Villalobos was selected for a spot on the U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team training camp roster. He is one of 19 members on the roster and one of two first-time players.

Read More

WOU Athletic Homegames

Stay up-to-date in Athletics. Check out the athletics schedule.
April 3: Baseball vs Northwest Nazarene University. 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
April 3: Softball vs Montana State University Billings 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
April 4: Softball vs Montana State University Billings Noon & 2 p.m.
April 4: Baseball vs Northwest Nazarene University. Noon & 3 p.m.
April 8: Baseball vs George Fox University 3 p.m.
April 17: Baseball vs Montana State University Billings 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
April 18: Baseball vs Montana State University Billings 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
April 18: Softball vs Saint Martin’s University 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
April 19: Softball vs Saint Martin’s University Noon & 2 p.m.
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.

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!

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