Art alumna helps local creative community
Growing up in the Rogue Valley, many local high school students head to college to get away from home. From the start, Amanda Grove ’10 knew she would study locally at SOU.
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Theatre alum makes his own way
Clinton Clark ’10 grew up in Bend and graduated Summit High School. His junior year at Summit, he was among students that welcomed the school’s brand-new theatre.
Business alumna at home in the Sierras
Emma Gasman ’17 grew up in Clovis, California and visited SOU as a high school student while being recruited for volleyball by SOU head coach Josh Rohlfing ’07. When she crossed Siskiyou Summit on I-5 and drove down into Ashland, it was immediate love. “I was sold on the beauty of the Siskiyou Mountains and this being my home for the next several years,” she said.
From Unexpected Romance to Business Leaders
Matt Essieh ’82 MBA’ 83 and Emmanuella Essieh ’82 share a history at Southern Oregon University that opened the doors for thriving business careers, philanthropy, and a lifelong romance.
Alumna leads the future of analytical chemistry with groundbreaking research
Dr. Jessica Prenni ’98 had a straightforward reason for attending Southern Oregon University (SOU) after graduating from Roosevelt High School in Portland. “I chose SOU for the in-state tuition and planned to major in pre-engineering, then transfer to Oregon State University in Corvallis,” Dr. Prenni explained. However, during her freshman year, she enjoyed her general chemistry class so much that she changed her major to chemistry, which allowed her to complete her degree at SOU.
Alum leads premier regional trail maintenance non-profit
With a father who attended Southern Oregon College in the 1967-68, it seems fitting that Gabe Howe ’12, would eventually become a Raider. Initially, he came to SOU in 2002 and met his future wife but left the spring of 2003. He moved back to the Portland-metro area and would bounce around jobs for several years while also earning an associate’s degree from Mt. Hood Community College. By 2009, he was ready to return to Ashland and once there, he’d never look back.
Amistad exchange brings a change champion to Rogue Valley
Angelica Ruppe MS ‘86 said it has always been her calling to be of service to others and that coming to SOU helped make that possible. “SOU gave me the opportunity to grow and to change my life and to help change the lives of other people,” she said.
Alum lives a life of public service
“You can accomplish anything if you are willing to give the credit away!” This selfless philosophy from Jason Atkinson ’92, perfectly describes his combined three decades plus of public service in the Oregon legislature and private conservation efforts to restore the legendary Klamath River.
Talented alumna uses diverse arts background at WOU
Dr. Kendra Taylor ’11 MAT ’13 grew up in Medford and graduated North Medford HS. She took piano lessons starting in the 2nd grade because she saw her mother taking piano lessons and wanted to join in. She then joined the orchestra, playing cello, in elementary school
Alums met as students and became a lifelong team
It’s always special to hear stories of alums who met at SOU then end up spending a lifetime together. Jennifer ’93 and Sean ’92 Bagshaw have a very unique story about how they met during their campus employment as students and how they ended up together.