University Relations

Plunkett Center
541-552-6127
Jon Mitchell, Vice President for University Relations

The primary functions of the Southern Oregon University Foundation are development, finance, and administration. The Development Office is responsible for managing annual giving, planned giving, phonathons, scholarship and award development, and research and grants. The Finance and Administration Office oversees the financial integrity of the gifting process, ensures that investment objectives are met for the benefit of the University, and manages the constituent database, which reflects alumni, friends, corporate donors, and other financial supporters of the University.

Alumni Relations

Plunkett Center
541-552-6361 or 800-501-7672
Kavinda Arthenayake, Director

The Alumni Relations Office serves as a link between Southern Oregon University and its alumni. The Alumni Office aims to strengthen ties with alumni, publicize their achievements, and sponsor events and programs that are of interest and benefit to the University, current students, and alumni. The office maintains a database of alumni, publishes the Southern Oregonian alumni magazine, conducts reunions, offers travel opportunities, organizes regional alumni activities, and sponsors two graduate and two undergraduate scholarships.

Development Office/Foundation

Plunkett Center
541-552-6872
Director for Development

The primary purpose of the Development Office is to raise funds that enable the University to pursue its mission of education, research, and charity. This office accomplishes its goals through a variety of activities, including annual and planned giving, scholarships and awards, phonathons, auctions, telemarketing activities, direct-mail campaigns, and the researching and securing of grants.

Finance and Administration Office

Plunkett Center
541-552-6129
Ron Theberge, Director for Finance and Administration

The SOU Foundation's Finance and Administration Office is entrusted with the stewardship of SOU's resources. This office performs record-keeping; prepares financial statements; oversees investments; manages properties donated to the University; processes all gifts; maintains an extensive, confidential database of donors; and advises the Board of Trustees and SOU staff in the stewardship of funds. The Finance and Administration Office ensures that University funds are used in accordance with donor stipulations and for the greatest good.

Community Groups

Southern Oregon University Advisory Board

Churchill 125
541-552-6111
Mary Ellen Fleeger, Executive Director

The Southern Oregon University (SOU) Advisory Board comprises up to twenty-five members of the southern Oregon region. The group, which meets regularly to facilitate communication between Southern Oregon University and its constituencies, plays an active role in advising the University administration on area interests and needs, with special emphasis on the educational, economic, social, and cultural betterment of the region. It also serves as a sounding board for University development of new programs, policies, and procedures.

The board informs the public about the institutional goals, educational policies, and specific projects of the University as they are presented by the administration. Members communicate with groups and individuals who are charged with responsibility for college-level learning. These groups include, but are not limited to, the Oregon State Board of Higher Education and advisory bodies serving other colleges and universities.

The purposes of the group are to:

• Provide the SOU president with external perspectives and information about SOU's impact on the region (southern Oregon and northern California) and on the state of Oregon as a whole, including ideas about strategic opportunities for SOU to enhance its service, quality, and value.
  
  
• Offer advice on matters of strategic planning and initiatives, including its external support and alliances.
  
  
• Take an active role in advocating for SOU from the perspectives of many different constituencies and communities.
  
  
• Assist the president with special projects on request and based upon special strengths of board members, which may include working in collaboration with one or more of the school advisory committees.

SOU Foundation Board of Trustees

Plunkett Center
541-552-6127
Gary Miller, President of the Board

The Southern Oregon University Foundation was established in 1959 to maximize the quality of education offered at the University. Economic and social changes present a constant challenge to a university's ability to meet standards of excellence. In some areas, this standard cannot be met with the amount of state funding provided. The SOU Foundation Board of Trustees consists of thirty-two volunteers from the southern Oregon region, in addition to national members who help provide additional resources to the University through the solicitation and management of cash gifts, bequests, real property, and other assets.

Those who wish to participate or contribute should contact the SOU Foundation.

SOU Foundation Emeritus Council

Plunkett Center
541-552-6127
Tommi Retzlaff, Chair of the Emeritus Council

The Emeritus Council is an advisory group comprising former Board of Trustees members. These individuals have been selected by the Board of Trustees to serve on the Emeritus Council. The mission of the Emeritus Council is to assist the SOU president and Foundation in undertaking the University's mission of education, research, and charitable purposes appropriate for the University, community, and the students it is privileged to serve. The council was created in 1996 and currently has twenty-nine members. The Emeritus Council assists the University with its fundraising efforts, recommends potential candidates for consideration by the Board of Trustees, and advises the president on the opinions, interests, and desires of the community as reflected by its leaders.

President's Circle

Plunkett Center
541-552-8158
Gary Gillespie, Coordinator

The President's Circle was established by the president of Southern Oregon University for
distinguished community leaders and other professionals interested in higher education in the region. This group of SOU advocates offers the president advice and assistance on community issues affecting higher education and Southern Oregon University. Throughout the year, members have the opportunity to attend special events, which include guest speakers from political, business, and educational arenas. Annual membership dues are $1,000 and go into an unrestricted fund for the president's discretionary use.

Affiliated Organizations

Alumni Association

Kavinda Arthenayake, Director

The mission of the Alumni Association is to perpetuate the bond between Southern Oregon University and its former students. The association is governed by an elected volunteer board that is responsible for directing the association's activities and programs to best serve the needs of alumni. These activities include sponsoring alumni travel programs, reunions, regional activities, honoring distinguished alumni, and sponsoring two undergraduate and two graduate scholarships.

Chamber Music Concerts

Ardelle Fellows, Interim Director

The Chamber Music Concerts program supports the mission of the University in the fine and performing arts through the sponsorship of Chamber Music Concerts and the promotion of chamber music on campus and in the community.

Friends of the Library

Sue Burkholder, Executive Director

The Friends of the Library organization fosters a close relationship between the University Library and the residents of the larger community it serves. In addition to assisting with the development of library resources and services, the Friends of the Library provides an active forum for the interchange of information about books and writing by sponsoring lectures and literary events.

Friends of the Schneider Museum of Art

Mary Gardiner, Interim Director

The Friends of the Schneider Museum of Art is a community-based organization supporting the museum and the visual arts at Southern Oregon University. Friends actively participate in museum programs and provide a link between the museum and the community.

Raider Club

Phillip A. Pifer, Executive Director

The Raider Club works to build support and encourage interest and participation in intercollegiate varsity sports at Southern Oregon University. The major goal of this group is to raise funds for student-athlete scholarships. Occasionally, separate fundraising drives are conducted to enhance the athletic program through the purchase of equipment and facility improvement.