In a cozy corner of the Library on EOU’s campus, longtime alumni Mary Jo Lemon, ’66, and her husband Terry Lemon, ’69, reminisced about their memories as adults, students, and children. 

“I remember my mother bringing my sister and me to her office and just playing in the halls of Inlow,” Mary Jo said smiling. “She worked for seven of EOU’s presidents throughout her career; I remember helping her fold letters and babysitting for all of the professors.”

Mary Jo, part of a five-generation Mountaineer legacy, and her husband Terry, also a Mountie, talked about the importance of EOU in shaping lives. “It was here I realized the importance of education in our lives. EOU molded me into the person I am today and I am eternally grateful for that,” Terry chimed. “I look back at my days at Eastern as an educational experience and character building. I was in the military for six months before starting college, which was a real growing up experience. But college was a maturing experience. I look back on it as one of the best times of my life.”

“Our time at Eastern was so much fun!” Mary Jo expressed. “I sang with the Blue & Gold Singers; Terry played music; there were dances in Hoke every Friday. Our classes were small and we knew our professors. Everybody knew everybody, and it was just such a fun time.”

For Mary Jo and Terry, Eastern is much more than fond memories. Their dedication to their alma mater goes beyond nostalgia and personal history. It’s rooted in the belief that education is a gateway to a better future. 

“Education can change lives. Scholarships can change even more,” Terry said. “We have the opportunity to help and support these students, and they’re so appreciative of the support. We know the students appreciate every scholarship they get. We need to do all we can do to help.”

Mary Jo and Terry have committed to giving back to EOU to reflect their desire to nurture the next generation of Mountaineers. “Terry and I decided we always want to give back to Eastern because it’s important as alumni. You think back about your time here, or maybe about your kids or grandkids coming here. There’s something that drew us here. It starts at Eastern and carries you wherever you go. The mentoring, the family you get here is so strong. Hopefully the students we are helping to support will also want to give back when they graduate and carry on the tradition.”

“It’s made us feel good watching the campus grow over the years. To be here watching the developments, knowing the affection we have for the campus feels good to be a part of the growth. It helps the quality of education for the students,” Terry said. “It makes our hearts swell. EOU was great when we were students. You think everything was wonderful at the time, and it was. Now, there is so much more. And we are able to be a part of that momentum.”

Today, the Lemons continue their tradition of supporting EOU, in a variety of forms, from service with the Alumni Board to ongoing gifts, to attending events on campus. “My mother served on the Foundation and I was part of the founders of the Alumni Board,” Mary Jo recalls of being involved. “Everyone had their heart in it, all of the alumni association. It’s been great to be involved, watching the campus and EOU community grow.”

“Oh, our blood runs blue and gold,” Mary Jo chuckled. “We do what we can to support the students and we always will.” 

Next time you’re at a football game, make sure to give a “Go Mounties” wave to Terry and Mary Jo.

Embarking on a journey with her classmates through the bustling heart of Portland, EOU student and Pendleton, Oregon native Addison Bonzani experienced the rush of city life for the first time. But getting here was not a simple process. Two powerful forces conspired to make her adventure possible: the Urban-Rural Ambassador Institute and the indomitable spirit of Scott Fairley.

The Urban-Rural Ambassador Institute is a collaborative effort between ��ݮ��Ƶ (EOU) and Portland State University (PSU), giving students from both schools residential field trips to learn about commonalities and differences between Oregon’s communities. The program aims to build a critical framework for understanding the nuances of the state’s urban-rural “divide.” Students from both universities participate in discussions with an array of elected officials and community leaders while building relationships among themselves and with people in different parts of the state.

“Portland State and Eastern Oregon students are co-enrolled in this class to learn about specific issues,” said Tim Seydel, Vice President for University Advancement, who helped launch the program with former EOU President Tom Insko. “There are actually a lot of similarities in the demographics of PSU and EOU students: working, nontraditional, first generation. This is an opportunity for them to collaborate, to effectively experience first-hand the similarities and differences both urban and rural areas share.”

Each year the institute delves into key topics, including transportation, housing, food production/scarcity, healthcare, natural resources, and more. This was Addison’s first exposure to a variety of issues and opportunities dealing with public transportation, both in Portland as well as in La Grande. 

“The class demonstrated how issues of urban and rural areas are similar, but manifest differently,” Bonzani reflected. “I had never been to Portland before this trip. And, while I don’t want rural areas to become urbanized, we can take lessons from larger areas to build solid infrastructure in our rural communities.”

“We started discussions about a program to help close the urban-rural divide in 2017 and welcomed the first cohort in 2018. We wanted to make it a model for programs in other areas to bridge similar gaps,” Seydel said. “Scott just loved the idea of connecting students from different parts of the state on a common topic.” 

Scott Fairley spent his career working to connect communities with resources through the Oregon Governor’s Office programs, including Regional Solutions and Business Oregon. “When the governor began organizing Regional Solutions divisions across the state, we were eager to be a part of the program. We provided office space on campus for their staff and that’s when I started working more closely with Scott,” Seydel recalled.

Fairley was raised in Pendleton, and dedicated himself to helping people and communities. According to friends and colleagues, he truly understood rural and urban issues and served the public across the state and in his hometown throughout his life. He unexpectedly passed away in December of 2020 at the age of 53, but his legacy continues. “He was such a kind, good person. He always found possibility instead of impossibility,” Seydel said.

“I knew Scott for a number of years before his passing,” Bonzani reminisced. “My sister and I worked in his home and occasionally walked his lovely dogs, Truman and Pearl!” Scott was described as a devoted family man who was heavily involved in his community and his hobbies. He graduated from Pendleton High School and the University of Oregon before beginning his career in public service. Scott worked for the Department of Transportation, and Department of Environmental Quality, served as an ombudsman in the Oregon Governor’s Office, and served on Pendleton’s City Council and Planning and Airport Commission.

Upon his passing, a colleague of Scott’s established a memorial scholarship at EOU to honor their urban-rural collaborations and their friendship. “We are honoring Scott’s legacy in eastern Oregon,” Nate Lowe, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, shared. “The responses we hear from students who take the course is that it far exceeds their expectations and that it has led them to better appreciate the nuances and complexities of diverse communities in the state. This scholarship supports more students building bridges of understanding.”

“I know the good he did in his life, so I shouldn’t have been surprised to receive this scholarship,” Bonzani shared. “He would have been so happy to create this opportunity for students like me. I’m grateful that even years later, Scott is instrumental in teaching me valuable life lessons.”

Hope Schuermann, Ph.D., Program Director and Senior Clinical Educator behind the initiative, shared her passion for making a difference: “There is a great need for mental health providers in Oregon, particularly in rural areas. This was the basis for the beginning conversations,” she expressed, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

A collaborative effort involving the university and local mental health professionals, the journey from conceptualization to final approval took two years, with dedicated individuals like EOU Trustee Chuck Hofmann, M.D., former EOU President Richard Chaves, and Peter Geissinger, Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Math, and Health Sciences, working tirelessly to turn the vision into reality. Hofmann reflected on the 24-month process, highlighting the remarkable outcomes achieved when eastern Oregon unites for a common cause.

“This shows you how in eastern Oregon, when different constituents come together, we can make incredible things happen!” Hofmann exclaimed. The collaboration extended beyond the university, with the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization (EOCCO) providing crucial scholarship support for students entering the program, advancing  their commitment to the well-being of communities throughout the region and beyond.

The CMHC program is fully online and is poised to have a profound impact on Oregon’s mental health landscape. The program ensures that during their practicum and internship courses, students work directly with clients in their local communities. 

Schuermann explained, “Once our students enter into their practicum and internship courses, they will be working with clients at hospitals, agencies, community centers, schools, and practices in and around where they live.” This not only addresses the immediate need for mental health counseling, but also establishes a pipeline of compassionate professionals committed to working in their communities post-graduation.

Kate Gekeler, ’22, Retention Coordinator at EOU and a member of the inaugural CMHC cohort, shared her excitement about the program. “I do a lot of listening to students. I think I could make a difference in the current role I am in; this will provide me with a best practice method,” she said, underscoring the program’s potential to empower individuals to bring positive change to their communities.  

Not only do students come from all over Oregon, they come from as far away as West Virginia, showing the program is well-developed for students across the nation. “You’ll find a lot of similarities of places including rural Oregon to West Virginia,” Hofmann said. “This program is helping address the shortages in mental health, but it’s also the opportunity to learn from one another in these unique environments.”

Gekeler already has a background in social services that amplifies her understanding of the transformative impact mental health counselors can have. “I want to keep doing what I am doing, but want to help students grow,” she expressed, showcasing the program’s potential to shape not only individual careers but also the collective well-being of communities.

Schuermann acknowledged that a career in counseling isn’t about financial gain but is fueled by a profound love for humanity. Grateful for the financial support from organizations like EOCCO, she highlighted the critical role it plays in ensuring that students can pursue careers in mental health counseling without financial barriers.

EOCCO, a coordinated care organization serving 12 counties in eastern Oregon, has pledged significant financial support with two separate gifts totaling $300,000 for scholarships. Hofmann, who is a retired physician from Baker City, was involved in the early development of the coordinated care model, explained, “We’ve been very successful, including local hospitals, local providers.” He emphasized the importance of integrating behavioral health into primary health practices, recognizing the vital role it plays in patient care.

Hofmann’s hope for the program is to attract students from eastern Oregon who will establish and practice mental health services in areas where the need is greatest. He passionately shared, “behavioral health has gotten the short stick compared to physical health,” and emphasized the need to bridge the gap and offer a helping hand to those in crisis.

“I’ve spent my entire life in eastern Oregon,” Hofmann reflected, expressing his excitement about contributing to EOU’s transformative journey. With a new president at EOU and a community dedicated to progress, Hofmann sees this as a pivotal moment to drive positive change. “It’s a special place,” he added, encapsulating the unique spirit that fuels this endeavor to bring mental health services to the heart of Oregon.

At ��ݮ��Ƶ, we’re on a mission to provide quality education and transform the lives of our students who face financial challenges. Thirty-four percent of EOU students come from low-income families, and 38% are first-generation college students striving to break the cycle of limited opportunities.

In 2022, the EOU Foundation awarded an astonishing $880,000 in scholarships, a historic achievement. This financial support has made a profound impact on the lives of many scholars, providing opportunities they would not have otherwise.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, an astonishing 82% of EOU students qualified for financial aid—that’s four out of every five students! These numbers show the genuine need for your support. Your gift can help ease the financial burden on these dedicated students and give them the chance to achieve a university degree.

Together, we can empower future leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference. Join us in creating a brighter future for these promising students. Donate today and be a part of their inspiring journey towards success.

With your help, we can ensure that every student at ��ݮ��Ƶ has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

If you are interested in learning more about establishing a scholarship or providing program support for EOU students, please contact the 

Foundation office or email us at foundation@eou.edu or call (541) 962-3740.

Dear Friends of ��ݮ��Ƶ,

As we embark on another academic year, I continue to be filled with excitement and anticipation since stepping into my role as President of ��ݮ��Ƶ just a few short months ago. It is with immense pleasure
that I express my heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support and commitment to our institution.

Taking on the role of President has been a remarkable journey, one that has offered me an up-close look at the incredible community which makes up EOU. In these few months, I have been deeply moved by the dedication and passion that our alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and friends have for this institution.

EOU has a rich history, and I am honored to play a part in its future. I firmly believe that a thriving university is the result of a collective effort, and your generosity and philanthropic spirit are at the heart of what makes us so special.

Our shared vision is a transformative educational experience for our students – one that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to succeed in a constantly changing world. Your contributions, whether through scholarships, infrastructure improvements, or program support, are instrumental in helping us realize this vision.

As we look ahead to the coming months and years, we have ambitious plans and exciting initiatives in store. We aim to foster innovation, promote student success, and deepen EOU’s impact in the local and regional communities we serve. Your continued partnership is vital to our success, and I am confident that, together, we can achieve remarkable accomplishments. Your belief in EOU’s mission and your dedication to our students are truly inspiring. I invite you to engage with us, visit our campus, and connect with our vibrant community. Your presence and insights will undoubtedly enrich our journey.

I want to express my deepest gratitude for your ongoing support. You are our collaborators, our advocates, and our partners in shaping the future of ��ݮ��Ƶ. I am excited to see the incredible progress we will make together. As we embark on this new chapter in the life of our institution, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey.

Together, we are shaping a better tomorrow for generations to come!

With heartfelt appreciation and warm regards,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President