| The Quiet Generosity of Sherm and Wanda Olsrud |
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"We both came from humble backgrounds," says Sherm Olsrud about himself and his wife, Wanda. "We appreciate everything we have. It’s nice to share it."
"When we first came to this area, we couldn't afford to help," says Wanda. "As we became more successful, we wanted to give back."... (more)
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| Business Leader Cheers on SOU |
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“College changed my life,” says Sid DeBoer, chairman and CEO of Lithia Motors. Although he is a Stanford alumnus, Sid has chosen instead to focus his support on Southern Oregon University. “If people like me don’t look out for our local college, who will?”... (more)
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| A Formative Experience |
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The first thing April Sevcik thinks of when she recalls her formative experience at Southern Oregon College (SOC) is her mentor, Professor Vaughn Bornet. Having grown up in Toutle, Washington, April spent the first part of her college... (more)
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| The Schweiger Factor |
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John Schweiger loves the Raiders. Really loves the Raiders. And his commitment is unwavering—even after a dozen years. John is so passionate about the Raiders that he makes converts everywhere he goes. His enthusiasm is infectious, his kindness is legendary, and... (more)
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| Steady Support |
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For Bill and Dan Thorndike, supporting higher education is a family thing. “It was ingrained in us,” says William (Bill) Thorndike Jr. He and his brother, Dan, are carrying on the tradition begun by their father, Bill Sr.—a former member of the SOU Foundation Board and founder of Medford Fabrication, the family business... (more)
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| Finding Community in Southern Oregon |
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Jerry and Jeanne Taylor were high school sweethearts in North Platte, Nebraska, before life took them in different directions. Twenty-five years later, they reconnected, married, and have been together ever since. Today, they are retired, living in a beautiful home overlooking Ashland and Grizzly Peak... (more)
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| The Schuman Collection Hits a High Note |
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Dr. Jack Schuman takes great delight in introducing visitors to instruments in the Schuman Collection of Musical Instruments. Although the collection contains more than 700 rare and valuable instruments, Jack doesn’t play favorites—he plays them all!... (more)
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| The Wright Stuff |
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David Wright has a soft spot in his heart for Southern Oregon University. As he says, "My mom and dad met each other there, and, if that hadn’t happened, I wouldn't be here!"... (more)
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| Scientists, Investigators, Teachers |
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Those who know Joseph Graf would say he is a dedicated scientist— seeing both the rocks in the mountains and what’s needed for scientists to chip away the frontiers of knowledge and pass that knowledge on to others. Listen to Sandra Coyner and you’ll quickly hear her passion... (more)
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| The Smullin Foundation: Supporting Oregon Scholars |
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Meeting scholarship recipients is “always delightful,” says Carol Anne Smullin Brown, President and Executive Director of the Patricia D. & William B. Smullin Foundation, provider of one of SOU’s largest scholarships. “It’s a great privilege to support Smullin scholars.”... (more)
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| A Lesson in Legacy: The Brewold-Teigen Scholarship |
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Glenna Brewold ’61 still has a receipt from her father’s college tuition showing a grand total of eleven dollars. As Glenna smiles at the memory, it’s clear he left her with far more than a sales total—he left her a legacy. Sisters Glenna and Patty Brewold (Watkins) come from a long line of teachers... (more)
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| Frank Surma: An International Legacy |
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Frank Surma scholars hold positions throughout the world—corporate lawyer in New York, teacher on the coast, financial advisor in Denver. Amazing careers. His scholarship has helped more than twenty-five students since the grants... (more)
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| Gerhard Heiter Scholarship |
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“Whatever I have, I worked hard for,” says eighty-one-year–old Gerhard D. “Garry” Heiter. “I saved my money for a rainy day, for a good purpose. I want to do good for others. I was brought up this way.”... (more)
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