In This Issue
New Staff
TRIO Day
Memorial Day
Upcoming Events
VRC Easter Event Update
...and much more
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Message from the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
When I was reminded to write this message for the May Student Affairs newsletter, I said, “it’s not May, already?!” But then I looked at the calendar. Indeed it is.
So, welcome to May, my friends. We are nearing the end of this academic year. I just cannot believe it. Time flies, and with it, so many opportunities where we have engaged with one another … in person, virtually, electronically, and more. Those moments or periods of time are so precious and meaningful. My advice to you is to enjoy them when you are in the moment because they become memories almost immediately.
It’s an exciting time on WOU’s campus. The Board of Trustees, with input from the campus community, has selected its next president, Dr. Sukhwant Jhaj. Dr. Jhaj will be visiting campus at various times this Spring and Summer and will officially start his role on August 1. We are excited to welcome Dr. Jhaj to campus as our next leader and look forward to what is on the horizon with him in the leadership role.
This is also an exciting time for our seniors who will be graduating in a little over a month. The hustle and bustle at the Wolfstore last month, with seniors ordering caps and gown and graduation invitations and other memorabilia, reminded us all that commencement is not that far away.
May is a time for recognition. May is the month we celebrate student award winners. The Wolf Awards, scheduled for May 16, will be an opportunity for us to honor and recognize students for their academic achievements and leadership accomplishments. We will also feature the award winners throughout the month through email and video announcements. Look for them coming to your inbox soon.
And finally, May is the official month for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as well as Jewish American Heritage Month. I encourage you to learn about these important observances, participate in upcoming events, and take some time to reflect on the contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Jewish Americans to the fabric of our nation.
Beyond what I have already shared in this welcome, there are events and activities to pass along. Please read through this newsletter for those and other updates. You may find that something strikes a chord and you want to engage. My goal … no missed opportunities for you.
Be well.
Sincerely,
Tina
Tina M. Fuchs (She/Her/Hers)
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
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Upward Bound/SEP/TPSSS - TRIO Day
By Shondra Russell, Director of Upward Bound, TRIO
Please join us to celebrate the 2022 graduating classes of WOU’s three TRIO Programs: Student Enrichment Program (SEP), Teacher Prep Student Support Services (TPSSS), and Upward Bound (UB) at TRIO Day on May 24th!
Please see the invitation below for details, and complete the RSVP to indicate your attendance. We look forward to seeing you there!
(Photo: TRIO Day 2017 Graduates)
The federal TRIO programs are educational opportunity programs designed to motivate and support first-generation, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Upward Bound serves high school students, SEP serves WOU students, and TPSSS serves WOU students in the Education Program.
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Memorial Day 
By Logan Doerfler, Director of the Veterans Resource Center
Observed on the last Monday of May, this holiday honors the individuals who passed away or went missing (POW) in service of the U.S. military. In 1868, General John A. Logan called for nationwide remembrance of fallen Civil War soldiers on May 30th. This day was originally labeled Decoration Day, due to the tradition of leaving flowers on these soldiers' headstones. In 1938, Congress recognized the last Monday of May as a federal holiday and over time the term “Memorial Day” became commonplace.
Memorial Day is commonly confused with Veterans Day, the purpose of which is to celebrate our living Veterans. Memorial Day remembers the sacrifice of those before us who gave it all for our liberties and rights; may we honor this day by taking a moment to remember, reflect, and observe.
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Additional May Observances
Visit https://asianpacificheritage.gov/ for more information.
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Alternative Careers in Education
Sponsored by SLCD
Professionals working in education will gather for a panel conversation. Learn about their experience in education outside of the classroom, careers, early intervention to educational policy, and more.
Guest Speakers: Lisa Harnisch - Educational Policy; Jerusha DeVyldere - Early Intervention Teacher; Tommy Love - Mathnasium Director - Salem; and Jennifer Koshnick - Teacher Prep SSS TRIO Director
When: May 4, 2022
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: RWEC 101
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Nuestra Fiesta Latina
By Luanne Carrillo-Avalos, Interim Director of the Multicultural Student Services & Programs Office
Join the Multicultural Student Union's (MSU) last event of the year, Nuestra Fiesta Latina, on Friday, May 20, 2022. The day will begin with a festival, from 11AM - 2PM, followed by a dinner, entertainment, and dance at 6PM in the Pacific Room, WUC. Dinner tickets ($5) will be available soon.
Don’t miss out on this great celebration to experience the cultura (culture) of our Latinx community. For more information, please visit wou.edu/mse/annual-programs/nuestra-fiesta-latina or contact msu@wou.edu.
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The Wolf Awards
By Alyssa Rollins, Assistant Director, Student Engagement
Join us for The Wolf Awards (formerly Leadership Recognition Night) on Monday, May 16 at 5:30PM in the Werner University Center Pacific Room! This is a one-night event to come together as a campus over some tasty hors d’oeuvres to celebrate our students’ accomplishments in leadership, academics, service, philanthropy, and more. RSVP today!
Questions can be directed to Alyssa Rollins, Assistant Director, Student Engagement (rollinsa@wou.edu, 503-838-8229).
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Mental Health Week
By Antonia Scholerman, Program Assistant, Student Engagement
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year's theme is “Together for Mental Health!” Mental Health Week (May 16th-20th) will provide information and programming to students, staff, and faculty about understanding mental health, coping with our own mental health, supporting others in our community, mental health on a larger scale, and celebrating our growth and differences.
Events are brought to you by Student Engagement, Campus Recreation, ASWOU, the Student Health and Counseling Center, RHA, SAB, and more! View a more detailed schedule of events on Presence. Contact scholermana@wou.edu with any questions.
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Open QPR Training
By Antonia Scholerman, Program Assistant, Student Engagement
Are you an advocate for mental health? Come to the Columbia Room in the Werner University Center on May 18th at 3 pm for an open QPR (Question Persuade Refer) suicide prevention training. QPR is a widely-used method to open the conversation with someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide. This QPR training is open to staff, faculty, students, community members, and anyone interested. If you’ve had QPR training before, you are welcome to come for a refresher!
Thank you to the Mid-Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition for providing this training. Contact scholermana@wou.edu with any questions.
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WOU Community Impact Day
Sponsored by Alternative Break, SLCD
Interested in serving the community and giving back to different organizations on campus? Participate in the WOU Community Impact Day! Contact the Alternative Break program at the Service Learning and Career Development Office (SLCD) (alternativebreak@mail.wou.edu) or visit https://wou.edu/slcd/ab/.
When: May 30, 2022
Time: 7:00 AM
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Memorial Day Banquet
By Logan Doerfler, Director of the Veterans Resource Center
The 2022 Annual Memorial Day Banquet will be held in the Pacific Room on May 31, 2022. This free event consists of a three course meal with beverage, procession of the colors, POW/MIA ceremony, Veterans Recourse Center annual awards, and a chance to socialize and learn of some basic military culture.
(Photo: 2018 Memorial Day Banquet Color Guard)
We gather to honor the missing and fallen. RSVP’s will be available soon via tabling in the Werner University Center, during select hours or anytime via a QR code at the VRC Front Desk! Only 90 tickets are available. If you have any questions, contact Logan Doerfler at doerflerl@wou.edu.
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Multicultural Student Services & Programs Graduation
By Luanne Carrillo-Avalos, Interim Director of the Multicultural Student Services & Programs Office
On June 1st, the Multicultural Student Services & Programs office (MSSP) will be recognizing 79 graduates that have been involved in MSSP through the Diversity Scholars, On-Track, or Conexiones programs.
This is one of MSSP’s most memorable event. It’s a time dedicated to recognize the achievements of the MSSP graduates, in successfully completing their bachelor’s degree, and share the celebration with their respective families.
MSSP graduates: stay tuned for details. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Blanca Miranda Aguilar at mirandaaguilarb@mail.wou.edu.
(Photo: 2019 MSSP Graduation Graduates)
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Events Sponsored by Students Clubs & Organizations
There are MANY upcoming events, socials, and meetings sponsored by student clubs & organizations, during the month of May. Visit https://wou.presence.io/events for details!
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VRC Easter Event Update
By Logan Doerfler, Director of the Veterans Resource Center
The week before Easter, you may have seen students brushing up against bushes and looking closer at the trees and flowers than normal. Over 500 eggs were hidden throughout the week and 198 individual students turned them in at the Veterans Resource Center for a variety of prizes and candy!
Our community donated over 70 individual prizes for this event; we are so grateful to be a part of this giving community. Keep a lookout for this event next year as we go bigger, hide more eggs, and maybe add another layer to this event!
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