November was a month of celebration and recognition at ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ. We kicked things off by honoring our first-generation college students during First-Generation Student Week – an important opportunity to highlight the perseverance and achievements of this vital part of our student body. We followed that by paying tribute to our veteran community during Veterans Week, culminating in the annual 5K military run. Thank you to everyone who participated in these meaningful events!<\/p>\n
As we look ahead this month, we’re thrilled to invite the community to join us for the 57th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade on Friday, December 6th. This beloved tradition will feature cookie decorating, Santa, a festive Merry Market with over 30 local craft vendors, and of course, the lighting of our magnificent sequoia tree.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/marcom\/files\/2025\/02\/wou-holiday.png” alt=”Wolf Shield inside christmas ornament with text %22Happy Holidays%22 Red background.” title_text=”wou-holiday” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”29px||30px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”||16px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A Message from President Peters<\/h3>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-1px||50px|||” custom_padding=”|3%||3%|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Dear Community,<\/em><\/p>\n First, I want to congratulate our men’s soccer team on being named the 2024 GNAC champions. This is an incredible accomplishment, considering the program has only been around for three short years. Our head men\u2019s soccer coach, Michael Behonick, was also recognized as the GNAC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. I’m proud of the hard work and dedication we continue to see from our student-athletes.<\/em><\/p>\n Our Salem location will be transitioning to become the ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ Graduate Education Center. This change will allow us to further focus our efforts on expanding our graduate-level programming and serving the needs of our graduate student population. The graduate office will be relocating to Salem to increase our visibility and access to the broader graduate workforce in the region.<\/em><\/p>\n Launching this month at the President\u2019s Club Dinner is the Campaign for ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ, Wolves Rising. This comprehensive fundraising campaign has three key pillars: Scholarships, Wolves Athletics, and Student Success. Our goal is to raise $20 million by June 30, 2028, and I’m confident that with the support of our incredible community, we will reach this milestone.<\/em><\/p>\n Time and time again, I hear directly from our students about the profound impact that the WOU community has had on their educational and personal journeys. I want to thank all of our community members, partners, alumni, faculty, and staff for your commitment to our students and their success. You are the heart and soul of WOU, and I am grateful for your continued dedication.<\/em><\/p>\n As we look ahead to the new year, I am filled with optimism and excitement for what the future holds for ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ. Together, we will build on our momentum and continue to transform lives through the power of higher education.<\/em><\/p>\n We. Are. Wolves.<\/em><\/p>\n Jesse Peters, President<\/em><\/p>\n ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ<\/em><\/p>\n Pictured: President Peters with the 2024 GNAC champions, WOU men’s soccer team.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”38px” custom_margin=”||11px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/marcom\/files\/2025\/02\/driving-test.png” alt=”Person with ponytail driving out of focus with focus on a test on a clipboard with a hand holding a pen” title_text=”driving-test” url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/11\/21\/western-oregon-university-provides-training-for-teaching-drivers-education-in-oregon\/” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”|3%|6px|3%|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ supports The Oregon Department of Transportation\u2019s Safety Office by administering the required training to become an ODOT-approved driving instructor through the state\u2019s Traffic Safety Education Grant. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/11\/21\/western-oregon-university-provides-training-for-teaching-drivers-education-in-oregon\/” button_text=”Read More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#db0a29″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”8px” button_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|3%|50px|3%|false|true” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/marcom\/files\/2025\/02\/mentalhealth.png” alt=”Two women of Hispanic descent holding laptops sitting and looking at one screen.” title_text=”mentalhealth” url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/11\/19\/western-oregon-university-receives-2m-to-address-shortage-of-spanish-english-behavioral-and-mental-health-professionals\/” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”|3%|6px|3%|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Western has been awarded a $2 million Workforce Ready Grant by the Oregon Legislature to recruit and train undergraduate bilingual students to become behavioral and mental health professionals. Similar to the shortages of teachers and medical providers, there is a severe lack of counselors and behavioral health professionals who can work with clients in both Spanish and English.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/11\/19\/western-oregon-university-receives-2m-to-address-shortage-of-spanish-english-behavioral-and-mental-health-professionals\/” button_text=”Read More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#db0a29″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”8px” button_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|3%|50px|3%|false|true” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/marcom\/files\/2025\/02\/Wolfie-and-students.png” alt=”Wolfie Mascot on turf with 6 wou students posing for a group portrait.” title_text=”Wolfie-and-students” url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/11\/13\/western-oregon-university-opens-new-family-portal-website\/” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” link_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”|3%|6px|3%|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The new Western Oregon Family Portal<\/a>, created in partnership with CampusESP, was recently launched. It is designed to serve as an all-in-one hub for families eager to stay engaged with their student\u2019s experience on campus. This free resource offers ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ families a chance to plugin to campus events.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/11\/13\/western-oregon-university-opens-new-family-portal-website\/” button_text=”Read More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#db0a29″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”8px” button_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|3%|50px|3%|false|true” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/marcom\/files\/2025\/02\/unitus-scholarship.png” alt=”Bilingual scholarship winners standing in from of unitus scholarship banner. ” title_text=”unitus-scholarship” url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/11\/06\/western-oregon-university-and-unitus-credit-union-celebrate-bilingual-scholars-scholarship-recipients\/” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”|3%|6px|3%|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Western hosted a reception celebrating seven Unitus Bilingual Teachers scholars in partnership with Unitus Credit Union. In 2022, Unitus Community Credit Union made a $75,000, multi-year commitment to ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ\u2019s Bilingual Teacher Scholars Program to expand its efforts and fund an additional eight-student cohort. This scholarship aims to foster diversity and inclusivity within the teaching profession.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/11\/06\/western-oregon-university-and-unitus-credit-union-celebrate-bilingual-scholars-scholarship-recipients\/” button_text=”Read More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#db0a29″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”8px” button_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|3%|50px|3%|false|true” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/marcom\/files\/2025\/02\/wou-drone-image.png” alt=”Drone image of ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ campus” title_text=”wou-drone-image” url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/10\/28\/ford-family-foundation-grant-bolsters-early-childhood-education-partnership-between-western-oregon-university-and-clackamas-community-college\/” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”|3%|6px|3%|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Western and Clackamas Community College collaborated on a joint early childhood bilingual pathway partnership that actively supports and recruits Clackamas Community College graduates ready to complete their bachelor\u2019s degree in early childhood education at Western. A Ford Family Foundation grant will support efforts in onboarding bilingual early childhood faculty, facilitate collaborative work, and help revise and plan future bilingual coursework. The first courses in this partnership launched at Western this fall.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/2024\/10\/28\/ford-family-foundation-grant-bolsters-early-childhood-education-partnership-between-western-oregon-university-and-clackamas-community-college\/” button_text=”Read More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#db0a29″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”8px” button_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|3%|50px|3%|false|true” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Times New Roman|700|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#878787″ custom_padding=”15px||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” link_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”17px|3%|6px|3%|false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n December 6: <\/strong><\/span>Holiday Tree Lighting & Making Spirits Bright.<\/strong><\/p>\n December 6:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>A Night of Jazz: WOU Voices & Jazz Orchestra:<\/strong>After the tree lighting. Smith Recital Hall 121.<\/p>\n December 6: <\/strong><\/span>Cannon Art Gallery Presents: James Kirk: <\/strong>Process, Figure and Form, watercolors, and drawings by the late Professor Emeritus of Art James Kirk (1925-2021). Celebration and refreshments. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.<\/p>\n December 7:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Smith Fine Arts Series: Grupo Bella. <\/strong>7:30 p.m. Rice Auditorium<\/p>\n January 18: <\/strong><\/span>Smith Fine Arts Series: Emily Branch. <\/strong>7:30 p.m. Rice Auditorium. March 4:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>SAVE THE DATE! WOU’s Annual Giving Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” link_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”–et_global_heading_font|800|||||||” header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”17px|3%|6px|3%|false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n December 12: <\/strong><\/span>Women’s Basketball vs. Pacific University. 5:30 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n December 17: <\/strong><\/span>Men’s Basketball vs. Linfield University. 7 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n December 21: <\/strong><\/span>Women’s Basketball vs. Cal Poly Humboldt. 2 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n Stay up-to-date in Atheltics. Check out the <\/strong>athletics schedule<\/a><\/p>\n Catch up on the action with scores, photos, videos, and more on our social media channels (@wou_wolves) and website<\/a>. If you can’t make it to the game, catch it live or replay it on YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Times New Roman|700|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#878787″ custom_padding=”15px||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”1em” link_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font=”Georgia|800|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_2_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Georgia|600|on||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”21px|3%|30px|3%|false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Listen to the newest episode of the Monmouth Monthly podcast<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#000000″ divider_style=”dashed” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” link_text_color=”#db0a29″ header_3_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#db0a29″ custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Emeritus Society<\/a> is a group of friends of WOU who enjoy learning new things and exploring the community. Benefits of membership include monthly meetings with interesting topics and engaging presenters, field trips, events, Emeritus Society newsletter, sports, performing arts schedules, and supporting WOU students through scholarships.<\/p>\n Become a member today!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||28px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||22px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#db0a29″ background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”10px|10px|5px|10px|false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n![\"President](\"https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/marcom\/files\/2025\/02\/WOU-soccer.jpg\")
<\/em>November has been a busy and exciting month and I’m happy to share some of the great news and changes happening.<\/em><\/p>\nNews<\/h2>\n
WOU administers driver education for the state<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
WOU receives $2M to address shortage of Spanish-English behavioral and mental health professionals<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
WOU opens new Family Portal website<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
WOU & Unitus Credit Union celebrate bilingual scholarship recipients<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
Ford Family Foundation grant bolsters WOU’s early childhood education partnership with Clackamas Community College<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
Upcoming Events & Notable Dates<\/em><\/h3>\n
Sign Up<\/a><\/p>\nWOU Athletic Homegames<\/strong><\/h4>\n
More News<\/em><\/h3>\n
Join the Emeritus Society<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ. Where\u00a0YOU<\/span><\/em>\u00a0Belong!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n