western – Page 6 – The Western Howl

February 5, 2025

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

Gabe Burchfield, a fourth-year for Western hailing from Grants Pass, Oregon, has always been an athlete willing to push his limits. Now, as a standout multi-event competitor, he’s making his mark by breaking records and setting his sights on nationals.
Burchfield’s journey in track and field began in sixth grade when his mother encouraged him to join sports. Initially a distance runner, he quickly realized his passion was in a different field. “When I looked over and saw the technique and explosiveness of the high jumpers, I realized that was the stuff I wanted to do,” he recalled.
In high school, Burchfield expanded his resume, adding high jump and long jump to his skill set. While he found these events enjoyable, he craved a greater challenge, leading him to the decathlon. Unfortunately, as soon as he made this decision to compete, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his plans. However, upon arriving at Western, head coach Octavious Gillespie-Bennett, also known as Coach G, recognized his potential in multi-events and encouraged him to pursue them fully. Training for multiple events is no easy task, as it requires a strict balance of strength, speed, endurance and technique. “Every day, you’re doing something different,” Burchfield explained. “One day it’s explosive work, the next it’s technical. Without the guidance of Coach G, my body wouldn’t be able to handle the wear and tear.”
Though it may sound confusing, Western’s track season consists of two separate seasons: indoor, running from early December to mid-February, and outdoor, spanning late February through late May. During the indoor season, men’s multi-event athletes compete in the heptathlon, which consists of seven events, while the outdoor season features the decathlon, which includes ten events. Of the seven indoor events, Burchfield finds the 1,000-meter run the most challenging. Still, he remains dedicated to improving. “In our last meet, I got a five-second PR. I’ve been adding more cardio on off days, and have already seen results. I’ve realized that I just have to try to enjoy running, because, honestly, the distance events suck.”
On the flip side, his favorite events consist of high jump, hurdles and pole vault. “The adrenaline from pole vault is unmatched, the high jump feels amazing when you clear the bar and hurdles are super intense the whole way through.”
Success in the multis requires more than just raw talent; a rigorous training schedule is essential. Burchfield’s daily practice schedule includes two hours on the field, alternating between explosive and technical workouts, sprints and endurance runs. As a team, they lift three days a week, but Burchfield often trains beyond that, working with sports performance coach Josie Boucher even on his off days. “I’ve been in the weight room for at least three days a week since June 2024 and haven’t missed a single session. Showing up on the days you don’t feel like it is what makes the difference.” His relentless discipline has paid off, as he has already broken Western’s indoor heptathlon record twice, surpassing the previous mark of 4,850 points set by J.J. Walker.
While breaking records is significant, Burchfield remains focused on the bigger picture. “The goal has always been to chase greatness. I wasn’t necessarily aiming for the school record, it was about making it to nationals. Breaking the record was just a step toward that goal, but for now, the job’s not finished.”
One of his proudest moments this year was setting a personal best in his most challenging event during Western’s last multi-event competition in Washington. “I ran with no fear and came out on top. That gave me a lot of confidence heading into my next 1,000-meter run.”
Looking ahead, Burchfield remains dedicated to his primary goal: qualifying for nationals. As for competing beyond college, he remains open to the possibility. “I won’t say it’s impossible, but I want to see where life takes me. If I get the opportunity to compete professionally, I’d take it and run with it — literally.” With his work ethic and hunger for greatness, Gabe Burchfield is proving that the sky’s the limit.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

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ASWOU

February 5, 2025

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

The Associated Students of Western — ASWOU — is Western’s official student government. It is run by students, for students.

ASWOU is extremely active on campus, representing students’ interests and needs, overseeing clubs, putting together programs on campus and ensuring that students have their voices heard.

ASWOU President Brenda Rocio Martinezis a fourth-year student at Western, double majoring in communications and public policy and administration.

“My role is (mainly) representing students in general and having their best interest in mind,” Rocio Martinez said. As a student herself, Rocio Martinez is always looking for ways to support her peers. “We always like to put our ear to the ground and see (what students want and need.)”

ASWOU not only supports individual students but student clubs as well. Joining a club is how Rocio Martinez first got involved on campus, followed by her becoming a justice in the judicial branch of ASWOU. After that, she was ASWOU’s director of PR, then, finally, the president.

Rocio Martinez knows the importance of getting involved through clubs on campus, so she strives to make sure the clubs have the resources, training and support they need. One of her goals is to allow the clubs to collaborate and connect with each other.

“I just want to be able to serve students,” Rocio Martinez said. “We are student-funded, so we’re here for (students).” ASWOU is funded by the IFC — Incidental Fee Committee. Students pay a set amount as part of their tuition and fees, which goes towards several student activities on campus, including but not limited to ASWOU, student media, Abby’s House, WOLF Ride, athletics, campus recreation, childcare and more.

Every person involved in ASWOU is dedicated to making their fellow students’ voices heard. “People in higher positions like faculty and staff are wanting the students’ perspective, and ASWOU can give that perspective,” Rocio Martinez said.

“Elections should be coming pretty soon for anyone who wants my position in the future. And I will say this: it’s not hard, it’s fun,” Rocio Martinez said. She loves getting to be more involved in her community as ASWOU president. According to Rocio Martinez, the position has helped her become a better leader. It has also been helpful for her field of study and will likely apply to the career path she wishes to follow. ASWOU elections will begin at the start of spring term. For students who wish to run for election, applications open March 8.

ASWOU has weekly public meetings on Fridays in the Calapooia room of the Werner University Center. The executive branch of ASWOU holds their meeting at 12 p.m. and the senate meets at 2 p.m.

The judicial branch’s meetings are not weekly, instead they are held “when there’s work to do,” Rocio Martinez said. “That entails rules being broken by any clubs or any students, if there are any concerns or if people just want an interpretation of a law.”

For students who have concerns, comments or questions, an ASWOU senate meeting is the place to be. The senate focuses on things such as bylaws, getting involved with the clubs they oversee and the needs of students.

If students have large concerns, they can fill out an ASWOU student feedback form, which goes to the senate. The form is located on the student portal under the My Programs tab.

Rocio Martinez knows how difficult it is to advocate for every student, which is why it is important for students to bring their concerns and feedback to ASWOU’s attention. A community thrives when everyone supports each other and works together to make positive changes.

“We ensure that students are well represented if they feel anything should change,” Rocio Martinez said. “Change comes with many people. It takes a village to make true change.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Who is Morgan Pemberton?

February 5, 2025

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

If there is an event occurring on Western’s campus, one student will surely be there: Morgan Pemberton. Pemberton is a junior at Western, double majoring in psychology and ASL studies and minoring in social science and is involved in many clubs and organizations on campus.

Pemberton took ASL classes all through high school and decided to pursue it in college. Western has a notable ASL program, which positively influenced her decision to enroll. She decided to study psychology and social science because of the classes she took that were outside her major being surprisingly enjoyable. “I like to dabble a little bit,” Pemberton said. “I like to take random classes.”

Pemberton is an out-of-state student and has moved around the US. “I was born outside of Chicago. I’ve also lived in Colorado, and I graduated high school in Arizona,” she said.

By nature, Pemberton is a very outgoing person. “I really like to talk,” she said. “I’m very social. I just like to be around people.” On the flip side, she also loves tuning out the world and listening to audiobooks.

“If you ever see me with my AirPods in, just know an audiobook is on full volume,” Pemberton joked.

Along with being a student, Pemberton also has multiple jobs on campus. She works as ASWOU’s judicial administrator, overseeing the justices, holding disciplinary hearings, interpreting rules and adding new rules to the constitution.

Pemberton works the front desk for academic advising, where she “(answers) a lot of phone calls and (connects) people to different places on campus.” She also leads tours and participates in panels as a campus ambassador, and is the coordinator for Destination Western — a two-week-long orientation program for incoming students.

“I’ve been invested in (Destination Western) since I was a participant when I was an incoming freshman, then I was a peer advisor my sophomore year and then last year I was a lead peer advisor,” Pemberton said. Now, she gets to supervise the peer advisors and lead staff training.

Pemberton is involved in many of the campus’ clubs, being the vice president of the ASL club, the social media manager for the Native Indigenous Culture Club as well as a member of Kappa Delta Chi — Western’s first-generation student sorority. She is also a multicultural representative mentor.

Pemberton is passionately involved with everything she has committed to. According to Pemberton, she is “just naturally a very cognitively high-energy person.” She thrives with lots of mental stimulation from her hobbies, work, clubs and her other involvements.

“My biggest tip for people if they want to do more is: you (have) to take care of your biological needs.” Sleep is very important to Pemberton, and she makes sure to get at least eight hours of rest every night. She also makes sure to drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food to keep herself energized for her many activities and responsibilities.

Pemberton keeps busy but still takes care of her mental health by making sure she is happy and fulfilled by everything she does. “I try to align what I do with what I want to do in the future and what aligns with my personal goals,” Pemberton said.

As for the future, she has plans after she graduates to continue her education and get her master’s degree. Pemberton, like many students, is apprehensive about what the future holds. She has fostered a great community at Western, but she knows that eventually, it will be time to move on.

“I am one of those people who’s always seeking out something new,” Pemberton said.

Before Pemberton goes on her post-education journey, she still has the rest of her junior and senior year to look forward to. This year, she’s especially excited for the annual Pow Wow, hosted by the Multicultural Student Union — MSU.

“This year (the Native Indigenous Culture) Club and MSU are teaming up,” Pemberton said. “We’re doing the Pow Wow this year. It’s been a lot of work and we’ve been really trying to put it together.” The 2025 Pow Wow is scheduled for April 19.

Pemberton may only be a junior, but she has sage words of wisdom for her fellow students: “Be open and rely on each other.” Pemberton wants students to know that they shouldn’t be afraid to open up and share things with each other.

“We live in a world where we are taught to not impose on each other or not be too much for other people,” Pemberton said. That, however, is what a community is for. Pemberton advised that people in a community are meant to rely on each other. Students shouldn’t be afraid of being “too much” for the people around them.

“That starts with you; you can’t just expect people to rely on you. You’ve got to open the door.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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“The Howl” staff picks

February 5, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Looking for a new show to binge or a new artist to fill the homework hours? The staff of “The Western Howl” has all avenues covered — and then some.

Shows and movies:

“Attack on Titan” — Sophie Taylor, designer

One of the highest-rated animes of all time, Taylor’s choice of “Attack on Titan” is a show that “is breathtaking and was crafted to perfection. Twists and turns that no one sees coming will leave you jaw-dropped, looking at your own reflection on the black screen.”

The show follows protagonist Eren Yeager as he joins the elite Survey Corps and faces off against Titans — gigantic, humanoid creatures that feed on humans — and is currently streaming on Apple TV+ and Crunchyroll.

“River Monsters” — Sophia Pierce, designer

“After 9 seasons, the show has sadly been discontinued since Jeremy Wade, the show’s star, has caught essentially all our waters have to offer,” Pierce said.

Following Jeremy Wade as searches for exotic fishes, both big and small, the show goes across the globe and explores the cultures and stories of the people who have seen these creatures.

“When a Stranger Calls” — Quincy Bentley, sports editor

Bentley’s love for horror shows in his pick, calling it a horror movie without the gore. “Though it was made in 1979, the suspense remains timeless. The utter intensity of the film kept me on the edge of my seat for the full 97 minutes,” he said. “(It’s) definitely worth the watch.”

The film follows high school student Jill Johnson who is terrorized by a killer during an evening of babysitting. She receives repeated calls asking her, “Have you checked the children lately?”

Books:

“Jurassic Park” by Michael Criton — Isabelle Jones, lifestyle editor

Jones is a self-professed lover of all things “Jurassic Park,” and her pick had her captivated by the relationship between man and dinosaurs — and its destructive nature. “For those waiting for Jurassic World Rebirth, take some time and learn about the origins of the franchise in this vicious adventure,” she said.

The first in a duology, “Jurassic Park” explores the concept of cloning dinosaur DNA and its consequences. Much of the plot is similar to the movie, though of course creative liberties were taken during its filming.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab — Hannah Field, editor-in-chief

“My favorite book of all time. Addie LaRue is cursed to live forever and be known by nobody — until somebody remembers her and, against all odds, they vow to rewrite their past and future as one. V.E. Schwab writes with magnetic prose in this standalone novel, capturing the human experience in such a captivating story,” Field says.

“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak — Addie Floyd, head designer

Perhaps one of the greatest books of our time, Floyd’s choice is one that she says broke her heart to pieces. “(It’s) definitely a life-changing book. I finished this book when I was in class my senior year of high school,” she says. “Worst idea ever. I should have known better. After all, it is narrated by death.”

Music:

“Preacher’s Daughter” by Ethel Cain — Ruth Simonsen, digital media manager

At Terry House, there’s one rule: in Ruth’s music we trust, and her choice of Ethel Cain’s album is the best example of why this is. “This album strikes home for anyone with religious trauma, as it follows the daughter of a preacher through her life, brutal death and afterlife,” she says. “Listen to this album during the quiet hours of the evening, preferably with a candle burning and noise-canceling headphones.”

“the sugar machine” by slenderbodies — Kiera Roedel, copy editor

Aside from being our copy editor, Roedel is also phenomenal at writing deep-dive album reviews, so this is familiar territory for her.

“A falsetto-laden dream-pop record about yearning for days gone by and wishing for love and tranquility. Soft guitars, synthesizers and unusual percussion lines make it a peaceful yet engaging listen,” she says. “It doesn’t hurt that almost every song has an earworm chorus.”

“Imaginary Appalachia” by Colter Wall — Jaylin Emond-Hardin, entertainment editor

My personal pick, Wall’s debut album is reminiscent of the days of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. With soulful lyrics that dredge up images of the American South, this album is sure to make one yearn for the days of open ranges, cowboys and whiskey so strong it would knock the fuzz off a peach.

Podcasts:

“The Magnus Archives” — Sadie Latimer, news editor

A horror anthology podcast, “The Magnus Archives” progresses as Jonathan Sims archives a collection of statements dealing with the paranormal. Each episode varies between 20 and 40 minutes and is sure to keep listeners riveted.

“This podcast is long, but so worth it. Throughout the 200 episodes, it delves into the supernatural world and what it really means to be human,” Latimer says.

“Old Gods of Appalachia” — Jaylin Emond-Hardin, entertainment editor

Another horror anthology podcast, “Old Gods of Appalachia” narrates the sordid and violent events surrounding the town of Barlo, Kentucky and its paranormal origins.

With a backing soundtrack that throws listeners into the moment, this is a podcast that is truly terrifying.

“Ologies” — Ruth Simonsen, digital media manager

This podcast is filled with interviews from experts in basically every field — “If it has an ‘-ology,’ it has an episode,” Simonsen says.

With more than 130 episodes, the podcast explores the truly wild and niche fields, including basket weaving, called canistrumology.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Western basketball struggles

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

Western’s men’s basketball team has faced a challenging stretch this season, and the struggles were visible during their recent matchups against Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington. The “Wolves’” game against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks Thursday was emblematic of their season’s difficulties. Though they had an encouraging start to the game, Western fell 84-60 in front of their home crowd at New PE. Leading scorer Jason Gallant finished the contest with 14 points and two steals, continuing to prove he is a reliable source on offense. Senior guard, Jahville Collins, followed up with 12 points and grabbed six rebounds, while forward Anjay Cortez chipped in seven points with two steals. Despite these individual efforts, the team struggled to generate momentum on the defensive end, where they were unable to contain the Nighthawks. Unfortunately, the loss dropped the “Wolves” to 4-14 overall and 1-7 in GNAC play.
Just two days later, Western hosted Central Washington. The “Wolves” suffered another lopsided defeat, falling 93-71, marking their 15th loss of the season. They started the game focused, even taking an early 11-9 lead after a three-pointer from Gallant. However, Central Washington quickly regained control and never looked back. The biggest struggle for the “Wolves” seemed to be their defensive lapses and turnovers, which were exploited by Central Washington, allowing them to build a comfortable lead by halftime. The second half saw more of the same as the “Wolves” struggled to keep pace.
Gallant delivered another strong performance, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting. His ability to score efficiently has truly been one of the few bright spots for Western this season. Collins also added 15 points and three steals, while first-year Mario Williams Jr. contributed 10 points and five rebounds, including three on the offensive glass.
The back-to-back losses to Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington highlight the broader challenges Western has faced throughout the season. Defensively, the “Wolves” have struggled, allowing their opponents to generate far too many high-percentage shots. On the offensive side, the “Wolves” have relied heavily on a few key players, particularly Gallant, Williams and Collins, to shoulder the scoring load.
As the season continues, Western’s ability to learn from their struggles will determine how they finish. While the results have been disappointing, the lessons learned during this challenging season could lay the groundwork for future success. For now, the Wolves remain focused on improving with each game, one possession at a time.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

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Rugby All Stars

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

National Collegiate Rugby, the governing body for all collegiate rugby teams and clubs, annually hosts an All-Star tournament. The teams are composed of the best of the best from each region, featuring All-Stars and Rising Stars brackets.

This year, both the men’s and women’s+ rugby teams sent players to the tournaments in Atlanta, Georgia. Isaac Bare and Sangato Letisi represented Western on the Pac-Coast Grizzlies, and seven of the twelve Cascade Rising Stars were from Western’s women’s+ team — Emily Moore, Estela Miranda-Aguilar, Jada Miller, Journey Petry, Katie Allydice, Kayla Anderson and Tessa Medina.

This was the second year that Bare and Letisi have represented Western at the All-Stars tournament, their first year being in Austin, Texas for the 2024 team. However, this is the first time the women’s+ team, and their conference, have been represented at the tournament since 2020.

It wasn’t just Western players representing at the tournament, either. Women’s+ Head Coach Nic Smith led the Cascade Rising Stars, with Moore and Miranda-Aguilar as captains.

“As a coach, I had to figure out how to adapt in a way that was beneficial to the team, putting the pieces together to form a roster that worked given the variety of experience and skill presented in each player,” Coach Smith said. “The players were receptive and each game they got better and better, working with each other and trusting in one another’s ability. It was a beautiful thing to watch and be a part of.”

Smith also touched on the differences between coaching an All-Stars team and coaching during the regular season. “[In the regular season], you have the ability to practice weekly, honing skill and building chemistry amongst the team, identifying what works and what doesn’t … coaching an All-Stars team where players come from multiple teams, you don’t get that opportunity.”

During the men’s tournament, Letisi scored one try for the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, Bare went scoreless, though he felt he was strongest when it came to making tackles and being present in the rucks.

Miranda-Aguilar and Moore also made waves at the tournament; Miranda-Aguilar was named for the Rising Stars All-Tournament Team and Moore was in the top three of conversions scored. Together, they scored five of the team’s 15 tries, and Moore made all seven of the team’s conversions. Medina scored two tries during the tournament as well.

Both Moore and Miranda-Aguilar were named MVPs for the team, with Moore claiming Backs MVP and Miranda-Aguilar Tournament MVP.

Moore was also chosen for the Pacific Northwest U23 Selects, a team composed of the top players from the Pacific Northwest. PNW Rugby, the governing body for senior club rugby in the Pacific Northwest, oversees the growth, regulations and standards for Rugby Union clubs in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The PNW U23 team will face Central Washington University Feb. 15.

Both of Western’s teams head into their spring sevens season with their eyes set on punching a ticket to the National Tournament in Washington, D.C., in April of 2025. With strong rosters and impressive team unity, this goal might be closer than they think.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Keep standing up

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

Content warning: this article discusses stalking, sexual assault and violence

Anna Nasset, author of her memoir “Now I Speak: From Stalked to Standing Up,” is an activist, advocate and survivor of stalking. After publishing in 2023, she was personally invited by Western for a book club discussion, keynote speech, book signing and a storytelling workshop for survivors. The event was hosted by Abby’s House, Western’s resource for equity and gender justice.

According to SPARC — the Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center — one-third of women and one-sixth of men in the US have been impacted by stalking. SPARC is a resource that guarantees advocates, educators, prosecutors and other professionals have what they need to assist victims of stalking.

SPARC defines stalking as “a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.”

January has been recognized as National Stalking Awareness Month for the last 21 years. It originated in January of 2003, when Peggy Klinke was murdered by her former partner turned stalker. Klinke’s sister, Debbie Riddle, took action after the tragedy.

“Debbie … decided that with her grief, she was going to do something about it,” Nasset said during her keynote speech. “Never question the power of us when we get p—-d off because Debbie, within a year (of Klinke’s death), was at the US Capitol having National Stalking Awareness Month signed into law.”

During Nasset’s keynote speech, she delved into her history of being a survivor of sexual and gender-based violence. Then, she told the story that led her to eventually become an advocate for victims of stalking.

In her late 20s, after going to school for art, Nasset got an opportunity to own an art gallery in Port Townsend, Washington.

“I hosted galleries the first Saturday of every month along with the rest of the town. I was involved in my community. I was well known as a young female business owner. It was a good point in my life,” said Nasset.

Nasset was unaware at the time, but a man who she did not know had been watching her for quite some time. His stalking and obsessive behaviors only intensified. He was even sent to jail for 364 days for misdemeanor stalking — however, that did not stop him from continuing to stalk Nasset after his release.

After several years, a prosecutor was able to build another case against Nasset’s stalker, except this time it was for aggravated felony stalking.

“He was sentenced to ten years, which at the time was the longest (stalking) sentence in our country’s history,” Nasset said, “and that really, for me, was a huge call to action to say, ‘I don’t want to be the exception… This needs to start to be the standard.’”

In recent years, Nasset has worked with agencies at the state and federal level to help victims of stalking and gender-based violence. She is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, serves on multiple advisory councils, is a board member of End Violence Against Women International and is the Vice President of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce. She also hosts a podcast called “The Mend.”

“(Identifying) stalking is really challenging because so often it’s looking at things that are not criminalized and understanding that it’s a criminal behavior,” Nasset said.

There are many signs a person is being stalked, including hypervigilance, a lack of involvement, depression, skipping events, being distracted easily and being afraid to leave their home.

“Not everyone who’s experiencing or showing these things is necessarily a victim of stalking or other forms of gender-based violence, but they might be,” Nasset said. According to Nasset, it’s important to reach out to loved ones who are showing these warning signs and, most importantly, believe victims and survivors when they open up about their experience.

“So often we are told to be silent about these things. And when we are silenced by them, we carry that blame with us,” Nasset said. “Victims and survivors stay silent, because (if we report), we’re going to be put back through that, we’re going to be questioned, we’re going to be disbelieved… And so, so often it feels like, ‘why even stand up and say anything?’”

Nasset knows that even one survivor standing up, sharing their story and trying to get justice can not only help them, but help other victims as well.

“If we can respond to stalking, we could potentially save a life,” Nasset said after sharing a statistic about the strong correlation between stalking and sexual violence. “And I’ll be honest with you, I’m one that was saved, because I shouldn’t be here. And so that’s why I take this so seriously, is to say, ‘if you pay attention to us, we can save lives.’”

According to SPARC, one out of ten undergraduate women and one out of 33 undergraduate men are stalked on college campuses. Abby’s House is Western’s resource for victims of stalking, providing confidential advocates and assistance finding and navigating other resources. They are located in room 106 of the Werner University Center and can be reached by email at abbyshouse@wou.edu.

When signing books after her keynote speech, Nasset wrote the phrase that should be the main takeaway from her work: “Keep standing up.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Meet Western softball

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

As the Western softball team gears up for their spring season, there’s a sense of energy and excitement in the air. The “Wolves,” backed by a wave of fresh talent and determination, are ready to make this season unforgettable. With insight from players and coaches, here’s why fans should be ready to rally behind this exceptional group.
Jessica Morgan, a senior pitcher from Lewistown, Montana, is entering her final season with the team. Morgan has been laser-focused during the offseason, stating, “Last year, I was really working hard on my drop ball. This offseason, I’ve worked on perfecting it along with my curveball.” Morgan isn’t just looking to elevate her own performance, though. When asked about any personal goals she has set this season, Morgan said, “No matter what happens, I want to be a good role model.” Her dedication to both the game as well as her teammates is a true example of leadership.
Victoria Zimmerman, a junior from Ellensburg, Washington, has been refining her mental game during the offseason. “After last season, I found myself overthinking a lot,” she said. “This offseason, I’ve worked on staying mentally strong, and I’ve put a lot of effort into improving offensively — I’m really excited to bring my full swing into play this year.” Her experience and hunger to improve are clear indicators that she’s ready to take her performance to the next level.
Despite being a young team, what makes Western softball so special is its tight-knit group of players who share chemistry both on and off the field. First-year and California native Lauren Maure shared, “It’s been family-oriented since the beginning. The team atmosphere is very inclusive, and everyone’s worked hard to build relationships.”
Junior Sydney Conklin, a native of Corvallis, Oregon, echoes these statements, saying, “This is by far the most tight-knit team I’ve been a part of. Everyone is super cool and eager to build something special together.”
With many new players in the mix, building team culture has been a priority. Sophomore Brooklyn Schneidt, from Meridian, Idaho, embraced this opportunity. “Almost the whole team is new, so we got to create our own culture. We’re very equal as a team, and we always make sure everyone is involved,” she said.
Head Coach Aly Boytz, a proud Western alumni, leads this young team with passion and purpose. “As a former player, I know what these players are going through,” she said. “We talk a lot about life outside of softball. My philosophy is about creating an environment where we learn and grow from every game.”

Coach Boytz believes this year’s team stands out because of their sheer determination. “We have the will to win. Everyone on this team is gritty, scrappy and genuinely likes each other. It’s rare to see a group come together so quickly. That chemistry will serve us well this season.”
Fans have every reason to believe this will be a standout season for the “Wolves.” Whether it’s the relentless work ethic of Jessica Morgan, the growing confidence of Victoria Zimmerman or the dynamic chemistry of the entire roster, this team is ready to leave it all on the field.
As junior Sydney Conklin noted, one player to watch is Maddie Doyge: “She’s hungry to come back and has been absolutely dialed in.” Other players pointed to Conklin as a potential breakout star, given the incredible effort she’s put in to overcome a gruesome elbow injury.
This season wouldn’t be complete without the “Wolves’” cherished traditions. From their pre-season retreat on the coast to their annual tournament in California, these rituals strengthen the bond between coaches and players. Sophomore Brooklyn Schneidt recalls playing icebreaker games on the beach, while Conklin looks forward to the team’s pregame hype song: “Love” by Keyshia Cole.
With all the talent, grit and unity this team has to offer, the 2025 Western softball season promises to be one to remember. Mark the calendars, bring some peers and get ready to check out the team that’s not just playing softball, but creating a legacy —Let’s go “Wolves.”

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

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TRIO

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

The new Student Success Center, upon entry, showcases a large, well-lit lobby, with new floors to boot and even a fireplace accompanied by comfortable seating. Looking ahead, a soft purple doorway boasts a front desk with a friendly face. Around the corner, the room opens up into an illuminated lobby for TRIO — a program that only grows the longer it exists at Western.

TRIO, sometimes referred to as SEP — Student Enrichment Program — is a nationwide program. According to oregontrio.com, the Oregon TRIO Association, otherwise known as OTA, was founded in the year 2000. Three primary initiatives would sprout: an annual professional development conference for TRIO professionals, an annual student leadership conference and a framework for Oregon to send advocates per year to Washington D.C. to pledge for funding for TRIO and spread its programs across the country.

In July of 2021, OTA received a $1 million grant from the state of Oregon to support marginalized students receiving higher education, also assisting with a full-time executive director position within OTA. Their mission: “Growing and supporting Oregon TRIO programs, staff and students … TRIO programs assist students with career exploration, college admissions, college preparation, financial aid, scholarships and college retention and graduation.”

Historically, the term TRIO was coined to honor the three main programs: Upward Bound, Talent Search Program and Student Support Services. “By 1998, the TRIO programs had become a vital pipeline to opportunity, serving traditional students, displaced workers and veterans,” said the TRIO history place. Eventually, the three programs would triple — becoming nine different educational assistance programs. Today, OTA serves more than 11,000 students.

At Western, TRIO boasts a well-equipped and established team to support students in many ways: director, Christopher Solario; assistant director, Adrian Trujillo; educational advisor, Alicia Monrroy; educational advisor, Andres Hernandez-Galvan; first generation coordinator and educational advisor, Dana Nunez-Silva; educational advisor, Hayden Campos; educational advisor, Logan Bransfield; educational advisor, Brianna Jones; and Sharon Price, TRIO student enrichment program office coordinator.

Director Christopher Solario has been involved with TRIO since 2000, but has been a leader in the program since 2012. The program itself has been at Western for more than 35 years. “I loved it as a student and I really enjoy it as the director,” said Solario.

Solario oversees TRIO and SEP. Occasionally, he works with students, regarding them as his favorite part of the job. “Seeing (first-year students) as kind of wide-eyed, kind of nervous, not knowing where they’re at — and then four to five years later, seeing them walk across the stage, graduating. It’s exciting to see their growth … just seeing how much they’ve grown as a person, as a human and as a citizen. It’s wonderful.”

Educational advisors assist students in the TRIO and SEP program by helping them with virtually whatever they might need — class registration, reaching out to professors, finding resources or even just needing someone to talk to. These sessions act as one-on-one advising.

According to the SEP page on Western’s website, services include academic advising, partnering with Destination Western, communicating with other departments on campus, support advising, individualized instruction, student-focused seminars, admission to cultural-enrichment activities, access to textbooks, MacBooks and other resources and organized social programs to invoke a sense of community and unite students.

“Even if we don’t know the right answer right away, we will work to get you the answer. We will connect you to the right resources,” said Dana Nunez-Silva, who began with SEP three years ago. “If you don’t even know where to start, your TRIO advisor is a great place to start.”

The main feature that students are aware of is the educational advisors. Each student admitted into the TRIO program at Western receives an educational advisor, with full-time advisors having a caseload of approximately 70 students.

“It’s really great that you (can) have this rapport with a staff on campus that you hopefully feel comfortable to talk to or ask questions,” said Nunez-Silva. “A social support that hopefully empowers you to take initiative of your academic journey, because I think coming in, especially as a first-gen student, it’s scary.”

“Our advisors care about our students,” said assistant director, Adrian Trujillo. “We try to do our best to make sure that when they leave the office, they’re in a better space than they originally came into, or at least have a better understanding of their path towards their graduation. That’s the end game for a lot of students, making sure they reach graduation.”

Most of TRIO is comprised of first-generation students, with the bundle of offices, workspaces and seating generally titled the “First-Gen Center.” Here, members of TRIO are invited to study, collaborate and enjoy a space catered to their needs, although anyone is welcome and does not need to be a part of the program in order to occupy the area.

Outside the wall of windows in the main area, a small body of water, titled the “retention pond” sits; nearby, the lending library offers donated textbooks to be borrowed. Even a care cupboard, courtesy of Abby’s House, is available to provide snacks and other possible necessities.

“We really wanted to have a space for our students who identify as first generation to come in and hang out,” said Trujillo.

With all new amenities, the Student Success Center is an adequate community resource for the growing program — lending itself to nearly 400 students across campus.

“I think that we’re all just very thankful to be in this new space. And we’re all very excited to see how this community is going to flourish in this new space, because it’s a beautiful, beautiful building,” said Nunez-Silva. “We’re very lucky to be here.”

TRIO was founded on the concept of accessibility, community and advocating for students who may need it. In light of that, educational advisors pledge to consider their advisees and support them with their needs.

With that goal in mind, the program at Western has established free first-year seminars for students in SEP.

“The overall theme for (the classes) is helping students who are within our program have a better understanding of how to navigate higher education, give them the tools and skills that they need,” said Trujillo, occasional teacher of said classes. The lessons are meant to shine a light on things students may not be aware of, such as credit scores or navigating their identity as being first generation, low-income or having a disability.

In Solario’s words, first-year seminars are to prepare students for college as a whole — “What does it take to be a college student? What’s the difference? What’s the expectations from a professor? How do you approach classes? How do you study? How do you balance your time?”

Time management is something TRIO places a lot of emphasis on, not only covering it in class but also through “TRIO talks” — workshops — that take place throughout the term. Occasionally, prizes or gifts are offered with workshop attendance, but the goal is to walk away more informed than before. The schedule for events is found on SEP’s social media, SEP student weekly emails and can easily be found in the First-Generation Center.

Some of these workshops focus on financial literacy or FAFSA completion, with financial aid being a large problem for many TRIO students.

TRIO Teacher Prep Student Support Services is also an opportunity for education majors at Western to receive support and resources. Eligibility depends on being first generation and meeting financial requirements. Through this, students may receive academic advising, mentoring and tutoring, teacher licensure exam workshops, financial literacy development, FAFSA and scholarship help, student success seminars and workshops and career development services. The program is overseen by Director Sheree Solario and encompasses a small staff, including a bilingual Spanish-English educational advisor, to better provide for student teachers.

Nearly half of Western’s student population is first generation, plenty of whom are not involved with TRIO despite their eligibility.

Misconceptions about TRIO include the concept of being first generation. “Neither parent graduated with a bachelor’s degree. They can have parents that attended school, but as long as they didn’t graduate with a bachelor’s degree, you’re still considered first gen,” said Trujillo. “I like to say, you can have an aunt, an uncle or a dog that gets a bachelor’s degree — that still makes you a first-generation student.”

Secondly, TRIO is not a remedial program. “I would say that the biggest thing I would want people to know is that this is a program that actually works when it’s utilized the way it’s meant to. As a student, you have got to also put in the work,” said Nunez-Silva. TRIO paves a pathway to success, and, according to Solario, has high expectations for involved students.

Nunez-Silva’s office sits closest to the front desk as the first generation coordinator. Her position goes beyond TRIO, tying in with Student Support Services and the Tri-Alpha Honor Society, a new organization looped into Western’s ever-growing community. Nunez-Silva will coordinate with the Tri-Alpha Honor Society to further elevate hardworking first-generation students.

Formal requirements for Tri-Alpha include having at least a 3.2 GPA, 45 credits completed and being a first-generation student. Eventually, positions at Western for Tri-Alpha will be established, such as a president position, which will include more coordination with Nunez-Silva and the community. Members of Tri-Alpha, however, have a minimal time commitment.

Eligible students who do not receive invitations to Tri-Alpha may reach out to Nunez-Silva if interested.

One important feat of TRIO is First-Generation Week, a celebration of students’ achievements over the course of multiple presentations, events and activities.

“There’s (about) three advisors here that were TRIO students at Western, so I think that just goes to show there’s definitely that ‘TRIO magic’ that people talk about — that they feel supported, not just supported enough to go through college, but supported enough to come back and give back to campus,” said Nunez-Silva. “I think that also extends to Western culture … There’s a lot of alumni that are here working now to give back, and so I think that, in general, the fact that this program has been here for 30 plus years says a lot about how dedicated the program is to continue serving.”

Trujillo has his own goal in mind: to help students flourish beyond expectations. “To help people get to a spot where they surpass me in a way — I think that’s how I view leadership … it’s really cheesy, but TRIO works.”

The Student Success Center is open until 7 p.m. each day, with TRIO hoping to eventually keep an advisor there till closing so students may be able to have drop-in appointments or receive help.

Students may apply for TRIO even after their first year at Western, but may be waitlisted. Solario hopes to expand the number of students which TRIO can assist, which is very likely considering TRIO’s expansion — not just a new building, but new positions, opportunities and events.

To get involved or apply, research TRIO at wou.edu/sep/.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu.

The Western Howl

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Student Success Center

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

The beginning of Winter term was marked by the opening of the Student Success Center — SSC. Construction of the building started August 2023, and it was finally open to the public Jan. 6th, 2025.

The new building was built on the foundation of the previous Education building, which was the primary place for education students before the Richard Woodcock Education Center opened in 2016.

The SSC is located on Monmouth Avenue next to Hamersly Library. It has the charm of Western’s brick buildings, but with a modern twist. A balcony furnished with tables and chairs overlooks the central street on campus.

The SSC is now home to many preexisting programs, including the Math Center, Student Success and Advising general tutoring, Center for Professional Pathways, Multicultural Student Services and Programs, Student Enrichment Program, Disability Access Services and more.

“This Student Success Center will be a key building as we continue to support our students, including many first generation and historically underserved students,” President Jesse Peters said in a July 2023 press release. “Creating a building that will champion our students’ needs all in one space is instrumental to our university’s mission.”

Brianna Jones, an educational adviser now located in the SSC, advises students with documented disabilities as well as low income and first-generation students.

“We help with registration for classes, academic projectors, financial literacy and financial aid assistance … and a little bit of everything,” Jones said.

Before the SSC, Jones worked in the Student Advising Center on Church Street. “It’s nice to have a space that’s ours, has more open space and has the opportunity to give students a place to hang out, study and have a place of their own.”

A first-generation student center is on the first floor of the SSC. “It’s a lounge area,” Jones said. “That’s a place where they can go to use the computer lab … and then it has a little patio where they can see a little pond. We call it the retention pond.” The first-generation area will also eventually have a TV to play movies for students.

Dana Nunez-Silva is Western’s first gen coordinator. The first-generation area is “specifically for our TRIO and first-gen students, but anybody is welcome,” Nunez-Silva said. “It’s a space to build community more intentionally than the space that we were able to have before.”

The SSC has an open concept, which helps with connecting every program in the building. The large windows let in natural light that makes the building feel more homely.

“I’m very excited about having this new space,” Nunez-Silva said. “I really like how it facilitates connection and community a lot more than the space we had previously … Students should visit the new building because it is, in my opinion, unlike any other building on campus.”

Although the building is not fully furnished yet, it is still open to students who want to study, meet with advisers and tutors or socialize with other students.

Jan. 8, a FAFSA completion workshop was held in the SCC. In the future, the building will be the hotspot for workshops and other events. Nunez-Silva has plans to create “accountability hours” in the SSC, which will be a designated time and place for students to do their work.

“Something I want to do in collaboration with the tutoring center is the accountability hours,” Nunez-Silva said. “It’s essentially (a set) time to be held accountable by your peers. Think about it as a quiet community that comes in all at one time to do homework.”

The new building will also eventually host meetings for the Tri-Alpha Honor Society. Nunez-Silva also hopes to host peer mentoring in the future, and also possibly designated first-generation peer mentoring.

This new building is a breath of fresh air for students and staff alike. “It’s something new and different,” Nunez-Silva said.

The SSC is the home-base for any resources students might need, from tutoring and advising to studying and socializing. “It’s meant to be a one-stop shop for students that don’t know where to start,” Nunez-Silva said. All students have a variety of needs, and it is difficult to know how to go about getting those needs fulfilled. The SSC has many of the resources available to students, all in one place.

“Take advantage of this space,” Nunez-Silva said. “Take advantage of the resources and the advisers.” The advisers, tutors and other staff all share the same goal of supporting students and helping them reach their full potential.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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