Women’s Basketball are CCC Champs and More Athletics Updates
Congratulations to the SOU women’s basketball team, who showed up in a big way last week for the title game of the Cascade Conference Championships. The Raiders dominated 19th-ranked Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 56-34 leaving the top-seeded Warriors with their lowest point total in at least 20 years. The women’s team is now preparing for the NAIA National Tournament as a 10th seed facing Georgetown (Ky.) for a Round of 64 matchup on March 11.
The men’s basketball team also played for the CCC championship last week after a buzzer beater for a thrilling win in the semi-finals before succumbing to the College of Idaho in the CCC championship game. SOU’s Tez Allen and Josh Meyer were selected to the All-Cascade Conference men’s basketball team for the second year in a row.
Men’s Wrestling NAIA championships (results will be added after tournament is completed on 3/5)
Track and Field results (will be added after meet is completed on 3/5)
SOU recognized as “First-gen Forward” institution
Southern Oregon University has been selected to be part of the 2022-23 cohort of First-gen Forward, a nationwide initiative to improve academic outcomes for first-generation college students. SOU will become one of about 300 higher education institutions to have received the designation, becoming eligible for professional development opportunities, community-building experiences and access to the research and resources of sponsoring organizations.
“This is a recognition of our hard work to level the playing field for first-generation and other non-traditional students,” said Neil Woolf, SOU’s vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. “Our strategic planning process a few years ago identified seven ‘strategic directions’ for SOU, one of which is to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where all learners will flourish. We are committed to providing services to assist students from under-represented backgrounds to be successful.”
Two more coaches confirmed for new SOU sports
Jasmine Dalton, who has led the Southern Oregon University cheer and dance programs since 2018, will stay on as head coach when the teams are elevated to varsity status in 2022-23. A former Raider cheerleading captain, Dalton graduated from SOU in 2018 with degrees in psychology and criminology/criminal justice. Later that year, after serving for two seasons as an assistant cheer coach, she was selected to take on the head job for both the cheer and dance teams. LEARN MORE.
And Southern Oregon local and nationally-lauded instructor Noah Horstman has been selected to build the Southern Oregon University men’s and women’s golf teams as the programs’ first head coach. This will be his second collegiate head coaching job: from 2009-13 he guided the men’s and women’s programs at Willamette University, taking them from last place in the conference and turning them into top-25 teams at the NCAA Division III level within two years. LEARN MORE.
SOU Rotaract Club raises $10,000 for ShelterBox
The SOU Rotaract Club, an entry-level version of Rotary International geared toward young adults, has raised $10,000 in a three-year fund-raising commitment to ShelterBox, a charity that works in international disaster relief by providing families with shelter and other supplies. Students from the club did multiple fundraisers, including selling Christmas decorations, hosting an Easter egg hunt, and volunteering at local events.
ShelterBox was established in 2000, and has since provided disaster relief in 97 different countries. The organization, an official partner organization of Rotary International, offers relief to displaced families who have lost their homes due to natural disasters.
Read More and Listen to an interview with Club President Teal Hamner
Watch SOU President Rick Bailey Jr. give his monthly campus message and updates
Dr. Bailey is getting into his rhythm as SOU president with a monthly video update to the SOU campus and community, and soon you’ll be able to find him on a monthly student-led podcast as well.
SOU grad to be principal at new Oakdale Middle School in Medford
Congratulations to Karina Chavez Rizo MAT ’03 on being named by the Medford School District as the Principal of the new Oakdale Middle School! The school will open in August of 2023.
In a letter to the district, Superintendent Brett Champion said their choice of Rizo brings “a wealth of experience” from her previous nine years as principal of White Mountain Middle School in the Eagle Point School District.
Champion said Rizo “truly embodies our leadership definition by fiercely dedicating herself to learning for all, and believing that connections among students, employees, families, and community will lead to a more hopeful future.” He adds that Rizo has a proven track-record in “helping students succeed and connecting students and families to the school experience.”
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, we are thrilled that improving conditions permit us to plan the 2022 Commencement in a fashion that our students, families, faculty, and staff can cherish. Additionally, students who graduated in 2020 and 2021 are invited to RSVP for the event and be celebrated.
Friends of Hannon Library Lecture Series
- 3/10 7 PM PT: Only Hope: My Mother and The Holocaust Brought to Light — Irv Lubliner, SOU Emeritus Professor, shares the story of his mother’s writings about her experience during the Holocaust. Register for online event here.
- And enjoy past FHL lectures on the new Hannon Library YouTube Channel
- 3/10 7:30 PM PT: SOU Wind Ensemble presents “Wanderlust”— a concert with student guest conductors and an evening of music you won’t want to miss. Directed by Dr. Christine Lundahl. Purchase tickets here or watch the livestream free.
- 3/13 3 PM PT: SOU Chamber Choir presents: “When the Earth Stands Still”— this concert title is taken from a beautiful cross-over love ballad by Don Macdonald, filled with music aimed at helping to still the chaos and uncertainty all around us. Purchase tickets here or watch the livestream free.
- 3/15 12:30 PM & 3/16 7:30 PM PT: Chamber Music Concerts presents the Fauré Piano Quartett— the matinee program will include works by Brahms and Mussorgsky, with the evening program including music by Rachmaninov, Fauré, andSchumann. Purchase event and livestream tickets here.
- 3/15 7:30 PM PT: SOU Salsa Orchestra/Salseros Pícaros (and MUSIX)— Vengan a escuchar! Come listen and dance as the SOU Salsa Orchestra/Salseros Pícaros premiers their first concert: “Salsa Del Valle.” Purchase tickets here or watch the livestream free.
- 3/18 7:30 PM PT: Tutunov Piano Series presents: Francesca Amato and Sandra Landini Duo— a powerhouse performance that is sure to delight with four hands on one piano and two dueling pianos. Purchase in-person and livestream tickets here.
- 4/8 7:30 PM PT: Chamber Music Concerts presents: Vienna Piano Trio— this program by one of the world’s leading chamber ensembles will include works by Schubert and Mendelssohn. Purchase event and livestream tickets here.
And enjoy past performances on-demand on the OCA Youtube Channel.
