Entries by kuriyamf

Alum quite busy in retirement

Steve Stenkamp ’80 family homesteaded in the Bend area over 110 years ago where he was raised and graduated from Bend HS. For two years, he attended Central Oregon Community College with a forest products degree interest, which would entail a transfer to Oregon State University in Corvallis.

History alum makes waves in the coffee industry

Born in Klamath Falls but raised in Medford, Sam Sabori ’09, graduated South Medford HS then started his collegiate career at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Sam enrolled in multiple history and music courses but found that his core classes were too big, often having more than 100-200 students in each class. So, Sam found his way back to the Rogue Valley and transferred his credits to SOU in Ashland.

Graduation after a 30-Year Break

Southern Oregon University (SOU) has hundreds of non-traditional students who work, go to school part or full time and take care of their families while trying to make ends meet. Karen Jeffery ’11 epitomizes the hard working,

Heiken family exudes Raider spirit

If any family epitomizes what it means to be a Raider alum, the Heiken family more than fits that description. For Bobby ’97, Sarah ’00 and their daughter Gabby ’26, the hashtag #RaiderFamily, is the culture they live by.

Alumna Leads Rogue Valley Community Health Organization with Heart and Vision

When Brenda Johnson ’95 was growing up, her mom had a strong feeling she’d become a nurse—and as it turns out, her mom was right. After moving to Medford with her family and graduating from North Medford High School, Brenda already had her sights set on Southern Oregon State College (now SOU). Living nearby, she had spent time on campus as a teen and always felt at home there. “It just felt right,” she said. “It was accessible, it was welcoming, and it gave me the opportunity to pursue something meaningful.”

Alumna builds outstanding high school theatre program

With her father serving in the U.S. Air Force, Kate Torcom ’12 didn’t follow a traditional path to Southern Oregon University. When he was offered the rare opportunity to choose his next duty station, he selected Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls—drawn by stories of Oregon’s natural beauty passed down from his mother. Eventually, the family relocated from the Chicago area and settled in Redmond.