b'S P R I N G 2 0 2 5The Raider is published twice annuallyby the SOU Alumni Association, an affiliateof the SOU Foundation.Design by Gregory Martin,SOU Senior Graphic Designer Stories by Angela Decker, Joe MosleyContact InformationSouthern Oregon University Alumni Association1250 Siskiyou BoulevardAshland, Oregon 97520541-552-6874alumni@sou.edusou.edualumni.sou.edu BILL THORNDIKE facebook.com/sou.alumniThis book is made from paper produced by paper mills that practice responsibleLEAVES LASTING forestry methods. Printed with vegetable-based inks.Southern Oregon University is committed to providing equal opportunity inMARK AT SOUits recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, national origin, race, color, marital status, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For additional information regarding Affirmative Action at SOU, contact Human Resources at 541-552-8553.Inaugural SOU Board of Trustees Chair William Downie Thorndike, INSIDE Jr., passed away unexpectedly at age 71 while vacationing with his wife, Angela, on February 15. He was a third-generation native of the Rogue 4 Valley, graduating from Medford Senior High School in 1972.Molly TroupeHe attended Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C., then graduated from Portlands Lewis and Clark College in 1976 with a 6 bachelors degree in business administration. Thorndike then began his Kyle Akinlifelong employment with the familys business, now known as Medford Fabrication. He was the companys president and board chairman at the 8 time of his death.Cy CainThorndikes public service included terms as president or chair of Asante Health System, Pacific Retirement Service, SAIF Corporation, 10 Oregon Business Council, Oregon Cultural Advocacy Coalition, and Crater Lake National Park Trust. His particular interest in education Marlys and Ed Hutsonled to his service as a member of the SOU Board of Trustees, where he 12 served as its first chair. He aslo served on the SOU Foundation Board of Trustees, State Board of Higher Education, Oregon Independent Anna Mantheakis College Foundation, Oregon Senate Committee on Educational Excellence, and Rogue Valley Workforce Development Council.14 His influence also reached beyond Oregons borders. His expertise Bryan Cohee in finance and economics led to his service, including as chairman, with the U.S. Central Banks Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco 16 (Portland Branch).News and Notes Thorndikes many honors and awards include the SOU Presidents Medal, Chamber of Medford/Jackson County First Citizen Award, Jackson County Community Service Coalition Person of the Decade, COVER Willamette Universitys Glenn L. Jackson Leadership Award, and Cy Cain by Jack Liu SOLVs Tom McCall Leadership Award.Thorndike is survived by his wife, Angela; brothers Dan and his wife Joan, and David and his wife Sally; and by five nieces and nephews.THE RAIDER|SPRING 20253'