New UOAA Chapter Initiated for Eastern Oregon

“Let’er Buck” and Let’er Duck.” These were the final words of new UO President Richard Lariviere’s address to over 200 University Alumni gathering before this year’s Pendleton Roundup. Most years, this event attracts loyal ducks excited to cheer on their favorite cowboy. While that certainly hasn’t changed, the September 2009 Presidential Reception held at Hamley’s Slickfork Saloon resonated with the energy of alumni support for education, the University and it’s students.

That support culminated in the start of a new UOAA Chapter and the channeling of several surprise donations to support students attending the UO from eastern Oregon. According to the President’s office, 193 students attended the UO last year from eastern Oregon and almost 60 students transferred to the UO from Blue Mountain and Treasure Valley Community Colleges. Last year, nearly $1 million in financial aid was paid to students from eastern Oregon.

In addition to previous financial aid, attendees committed to supporting more local activities to both connect alumni Ducks and financially support future Ducks. Currently, the Eastern Oregon Chapter has elected to become the first Chapter to direct new Chapter-Scholarship donations towards the innovative Pathway Oregon program. The program ensures that academically qualified, lower–income Oregonians will have their University of Oregon tuition and fees paid in full. The Eastern Oregon Chapter, in turn, is able to direct their support to both this program and students from eastern counties of the state.

There was no argument that the Pendleton Roundup and the associated activities, parades and parties were the order of the day. However, when all was said and done, a few new favorite cowboys were standing tall when an emotional President Lariviere offered to personally match the surprise donation made by local County Commissioner Bill Hansell. The two agreed that access to education were top priorities for many alumni and that directing such donations to student scholarships was the best reason for celebration that day.

Several additional programs supported by the University of Oregon and its alumni are improving communities in eastern Oregon as well. These include the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments, the City of Pendleton Main Street Program, the Columbia Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Program and the Columbia Action Program of East Central Oregon.

Click here for more information on the Eastern Oregon Chapter or here to read the President’s blog about his experience at the Pendleton Roundup.