Press Highlights
Boxes of Hope
Student Engagement & Student Media, in partnership with Every Child Polk Yamhill, a program of REACH Northwest, are proud to announce the Boxes of Hope project! This was an opportunity for Western Oregon University students to build a “care box” filled with items and a personal note for children in foster care going through difficult and uncertain times. This event took place on November 19th and 20th, 2025.
One of the most effective ways to become empowered and to establish purpose in your life is to ask yourself, “Who can I help?”. This project and event set the stage for that question by providing students a chance to help children who are going through one of the most challenging times of their lives. Alongside serving others, students who signed up to participate also gained volunteer experience for their resume, cover letter, and future professional endeavors, and were entered to win a $250 tuition-based scholarship!
Highlights
- Center for Professional Pathways (CPP) provided sample bullet points for resumes, cover letters, and interview tips regarding the volunteer experience.
- Child Development Center (CDC) had children draw artwork to be placed into the care boxes.
- Veterans Resource Center created customized messages of encouragement to be added to boxes.
- Disability Access Services put together boxes for online-only students who wanted to participate.
- An entire FYS class, Habits of Happiness, signed up to participate.
- Student Media (Western Howl, KWOU, and Northwest Passage) donated the items for the event and provided the two tuition-based scholarships for students.
- 178 students participated in the Boxes of Hope event.
- The Polk County Itemizer-Observer news wrote an article on the event.
Free Senior Photos
March 30th -June 1st
Wayne & Lynn Hamersly Library: 525 Monmouth Ave N, Monmouth, OR 97361
Expect to receive 4-6 photos at the library and 1-2 in front of the WOU sign. These are just estimates of how many photos you will receive; it may result in fewer or extra photos depending on what we can get done in our allotted time. These photo sessions will not exceed 30 minutes of photo-taking time and props from home are highly encouraged to personalize your session. Only light touch-ups will be made, most of the photo editing being color grading. Finalized photos will be sent no later than June 7th, 2026; however, expect an average turnaround time of 2 weeks after your session. Photos will be sent in a JPEG format via Google Drive.
We highly encourage that you bring props! Bring something(s) that represent you and/or your major (ex. your artwork if you a fine-arts major, your instrument if you are music major, or a calculator if you are a math major). You can also bring family members or friends who you want to tag along as well!
Questions? Contact us at howlphotographer@mail.wou.edu
