Eastern Oregon Normal School (1929–1939) Eastern Oregon College of Education (1939–1956) Eastern Oregon College (1956–1973) Eastern Oregon State College (1973–1997)
Eastern Oregon University (EOU) (officially designated as Oregon’s Rural University)[5] is a public university in La Grande, Oregon. It was formerly part of the Oregon University System, since dissolved. EOU was founded in 1929 as a teacher’s college and today serves as a center for education, culture, and scholarship in rural areas of Oregon.
The university offers bachelor's and master's degrees. Most students obtain a B.S. degree, which requires one quarter of science, whereas a B.A. degree requires two years of a foreign language. In 2016, the university also began work to introduce a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree with a vocational bent.
Inlow Hall
History
EOU opened its doors in 1929 as Eastern Oregon Normal School, a teacher training school. In 1939, the Oregon Legislature changed the name to Eastern Oregon College of Education. The words "of Education" were dropped from the college's name in 1956. The 1973 Legislature changed EOC's name to Eastern Oregon State College. In 1997, Eastern Oregon State College became Eastern Oregon University.[6] In 2013 the Oregon University System began the process of creating independent boards for certain schools, including Oregon State and the University of Oregon. On June 30, 2015, the Oregon University System was dissolved and on July 1, 2015, the Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees took on governance of the institution.[7]
On Tuesday May 9th, 2023 the EOU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Dr. Kelly A. Ryan as the university's 13th president. [8]
Ackerman Hall
Campus setting
EOU's location in La Grande is in the heart of the Blue Mountain range between Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho just off Interstate 84. Driving to La Grande takes approximately four hours from Portland, two and half from Boise, five from Seattle, and four from Spokane. As of 2021 EOU has a 98% acceptance rate.
The campus contains 26 buildings, including two living facilities – Alikut Hall and Daugherty Hall – all of which are co-ed. Inlow Hall, Eastern's administration building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]
Pierce Library
Academics
Academic programs at Eastern Oregon University offer the opportunity to learn in a small classroom setting in rural Oregon. With four colleges, students can choose from more than 30 academic programs, including sciences, humanities, teaching, and business. New programming in vocational fields such as Fire Services Administration and Global Foods and Agribusiness target regional employment needs.
In addition, programs in Agriculture, in cooperation with Oregon State University, and the baccalaureate degree in Nursing through the Oregon Health & Sciences University are offered on this campus. Many degrees are available fully online.
Tuition
EOU’s tuition and fees average thousands less than other public and private institutions in the surrounding region. The Economist [9]recently ranked EOU among the best value colleges in the Northwest for return-on-investment. Additionally, EOU offers in-state tuition for Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) residents. Students from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam are eligible for the WUE rate. Transfer students can also receive this benefit.
EOU has over a hundred scholarships and awards available. The university gives out over $4 million to students every year. 93% of students at EOU receive some form of financial aid. Students who submit admissions applications are automatically considered for the following scholarships:
University Achievement Award – Awards up to $1250
University Scholar Award – Awards up to $3,000
University Scholarly Need Award – Awards up to $1,500
EOU 4-County Housing Award – Awards up to $500
To receive EOU Awards or EOU Foundation Scholarships students must have a current FAFSA on file.
Faculty
EOU employs over one hundred full-time faculty. They are organized under the Associated Academic Professionals (AAP) Local 6200.
Eastern Oregon competes in 15 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball (2019), basketball, cross country, football, soccer, track & field and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse (2019), soccer, softball, track & field, volleyball and wrestling.
Football
Eastern Oregon's football team plays at Community Stadium located on campus. The La Grande High School football team also plays their home games there.
Quick facts
Athletic Director: Anji Weissenfluh
Defunct Sports: women's golf, skiing. Some sports have been relegated to club sports such as rodeo and polo.
99-year-old Leo Plass received his degree in June 2011, setting a world record. He had dropped out less than one semester away from graduation in 1932 when the Great Depression occurred and started a career as a logger.[12] He died in August 2015, shortly after his 104th birthday.[13]
