Entries by kuriyamf

Alumna breaks mold to become expert avalanche forecaster

Originally from Hillsboro, Patty Morrison ’83 started her collegiate career at Portland State University. She found that she was not a city person after taking so much time to commute using the TriMet bus system. She stayed through two quarters but when her high school boyfriend told her all about Southern Oregon State College (SOSC) in Ashland, she was sold and made the move.

Theatre arts alum takes SOU hands-on experience to great success in Portland

Born and raised in Bellingham, WA, Liam Kaas-Lentz ’02, was introduced to Ashland, SOU and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) when he was a student at Sehome HS. His theatre teacher took around 20 students to OSF annually and they stayed on campus for each trip. When it came time to apply for college, he already admired Ashland and the SOU community and for him, staying with SOU would keep his attachment to a small-town atmosphere like he was accustomed to, while being close to a theater like OSF. 

From foster child origins, alumna blossoms as an outdoor conservation leader

Sha (Shay) Orton grew up in Bakersfield, CA, until the age of 13, then moved to southern Oregon. Amidst her high school years, she was forced to live in foster care. Her life was tough growing up and she didn’t get many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the Rogue Valley. But when she finally did, they led to spiritual and healing experiences. She graduated from Crater High School in Central Point and shortly after, became pregnant, which shifted all of her life plans.