SOU Alumni News Archives

Dr. Dolores Christensen ’10

Alumna promoted to direct program at the University of Oklahoma

Dr. Dolores Christensen ’10 grew up in the foothills of the northern California Sierras in the community of Paradise. After graduation from Paradise HS, she decided to stay close to home and save financially by attending nearby Butte Community College in Oroville
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Laurie Easter showing her book "All the Leavings "

Alumna’s book about family, love and loss was finalist for Oregon Book Award

Laurie Easter ’09 grew up in Palo Alto, CA but moved to Oregon in 1989. Once here with her husband Steve ’07 and MS ‘11, they moved to the quiet open space and country living of Williams, in the Applegate Valley.
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Gene Pelham

From SOU to Community Champion: Alumnus Gene Pelham’s Journey of Service

There are certain extraordinary qualities that emanate from a leader: authenticity, respect, and self-awareness, and SOU alumnus, Gene Pelham ’83 and MiM ‘06, embodies those characteristics to the core.
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Dr. Sin

Music alum’s talent and work takes him to advanced degrees

If you want to find an alum who is highly motivated to work hard, engenders professional success and serves society at the same time, then look no further than Dr. Anson Sin ’19 MMC.
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Erik Kabik ’97

From rock bands to scenic beauty, alum finds calling in professional photography

Growing up on the east coast, Erik Kabik ’97 didn’t have the opportunity to explore the west but it was after a year at Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey
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Patty Morrison

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.
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Meghann Erickson ’12

Alumna loved the safe and comfortable small-town feel of SOU

Meghann Erickson ’12 grew up in the rural northern California town of McKinleyville. Then, after graduation from McKinleyville High School, she attended Shasta Community College in Redding to work on her business administration degree. 
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Ty Burrell Receives SOU Alumni Award and visits campus

Coming Home Again: SOU Hosts & Honors Alumnus Ty Burrell on Campus

Home means different things to everyone, but a place that nurtures and encourages growth is just one of the many definitions of home. That’s just what SOU is for alumnus Ty Burrell ‘94, who visited the campus on Friday, April 7th to receive the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award.
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Raina Hassan SOU Alum

First generation alumna publishes her first children’s book

Raina Hassan ’02 grew up locally in Grants Pass but decided to take an extended gap year in Portland between graduating high school and attending college. Like many SOU alums, she was the first in her entire family to attend college.
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Liam Kaas-Lentz

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. 
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