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Special Points of Interest: 

Mountaineer Family Network Fall 2015

“Welcome Class of 2020”

Inkso Welcomes the Class of 2020

 Kathleen Brown Shares Her Goodbyes  Na Meng ‘s Long Trip Home  Chemistry ‘s Summer Intern Program  Three Millennials

 Native American Month

Welcome Parents of the Class of 2020! Table of Content “Welcome Class of 2020”

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“From the Editor”

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“The Lights in the Basement ate Off!”

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“The Long Trip Home”

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“Interns Play Leading Roles in Chemistry Innovations”

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“Three Millennials”

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“Celebrating Native American Heritage Month & Speel-Ya”

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You and your student are embarking on an amazing journey. Eastern Oregon University is the launching point for your student to a life yet to be discovered, and faith in us to deliver a quality education and experience is appreciated. As the new academic year kicked off, I had the opportunity to engage many amazing students, faculty, staff and alumni who inspire me every day to grow our university—it is a worthwhile pursuit as EOU has been a major part of my own growth as a lifelong learner, father, husband and community member.

My daughter started college this year, so I understand the excitement and also the anxiety you feel. At the Mountaineer Family Farewell Social, I was blessed to interact with many parents and family members of new students. This was a great opportunity to learn about your families and hear about the hopes and dreams of your students. Again, welcome to the Mountaineer family— best wishes for an amazing year!

Thomas A. Insko President

to work during the summer, but a necessity. Families, friends and students Welcome Home to EOU! In this edition of the Mountaineer Fall term is always a time of great expectations, excitement, Family Network Newsletter we celebrate and overcoming anxiety. For many of our students, the the career and academic development of summer of 2016 meant closing their textbooks for a few our students and staff as we welcome the months and switching gears to be an employee, researcher, or new and celebrate the days gone by. full-time parent. Welcome Class of 2020 and Class of 2017, let us celebrate I recently had the opportunity to meet with Daysi you as you launch forward. Bedolla, EOU Biochemistry major and President of United Undocumented Students about her summer. “People ask Justin Chin me ‘why don’t you take a day off in the summer ?’ all the Director of Career Services time. My answer is, ‘because I have to work to pay for (541) 962-3090 school.” For most of our students at EOU, it is not a choice [email protected]

From the Editor: “My Summer 2016”

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Mountaineer Family Network

“The Lights in the Basement are Off!”

“There isn’t anyone down there; no lives down there”—Kathleen Brown Contact EOU IT about their Student and Family discount, today

Most people would probably define me as someone who likes being in control. I am not overly emotional and I am practically a ‘mama bear’ when it comes to my children. I have worked my entire children’s lives to make sure that they have all the “educational, emotional, and spiritual” support they need. In K-12 we stayed busy with church, sports, music, theater, and high academic expectations. That continued into their college prep years where, with both of my children, I would sit with them and figure out what was the best school to attend to attain the goals they wanted to reach. We would fill out their FAFSA every year on January 1st at midnight. We would work on what scholarships they needed to fill out and what job opportunities or class schedules would work best for them. I was worried with my first one, who is currently a Junior at Eastern Oregon University, that I was becoming a helicopter mom, because I was making sure she got all her books early, made her advising appointments, had all her scholarships signed, and anything else that we could think of. I was always good at letting her problem solve any issue with her coaches, professors, and schooling in general, but I wanted to make sure she was ready on day one. This year I was going to repeat the process. After all, the process seems to have worked with the first child. When the semi-transition of my first child went smoothly, I thought the next one would be just as easy. My son was going to stay close to home for his gen-eds and then go somewhere else in Oregon to college. He felt like he was really not a small town kind of guy. We started all the normal preparations with FAFSA, scholarships, and college courses in high school so he would look good to schools. It worked partly: he got into the school he wanted to go to. The problem was that the hard work that we figured would almost pay for his education through scholarships, like it did for his sister, fell flat. He decided to go to an honor college that had higher expectations than most schools. So now, as a family, we needed to cosign with him on a loan and really see where we needed to help. Second reality: he chose a school 2,500 miles away from home on the east coast, where the cities are. I’m still okay right? This is just a little glitch. Okay. How do we support him now? My brother lives over there, so he has been gracious enough to invite my son to live with him. That will help with the cost. He will be fine now. I don’t have to worry about him when he leaves. Now I can relax, get him through the last things, and let him start his new adventure. If you are wondering where my husband is during all of this, he has always allowed me to take care of the college stuff because education and now higher education is my chosen career field. What I didn’t notice was that my son and husband were having a little bit harder time than I was during the last two months he was home. They were start-

ing to realize that he wasn’t going to be downstairs in his room all the time, and we weren’t going to be able to yell down or text to come and eat dinner or watch a show with the family because he couldn’t hear through his Xbox headphones. I actually had him bring his computer upstairs during the last two months and allowed him to nest--and I mean nest--in my living room so we could glean a few more moments with him before he left. Our son dropped us off at the airport and I cried as I hugged him harder than I had in years. I told him how proud I was of him and how much I loved him. “You can text or Skype anytime, no matter the time,” I whispered. “I know Mom. I love you, too,” he replied. You need to know I am not a crier. I am not even known to be emotional very often. I got on that plane and started flying home and I felt like I had been punched in the stomach and half of my heart had been ripped out of my chest. My son was not on the plane. There were only three of us on the plane. Where was he? This isn’t how it works. I got home and tried to settle back into life. I thought I would make sure his bed was made and that his room was sealed so the various cats in our house wouldn’t make it their new home. I did a final look and closed the door and then went up the stairs and looked back and all the lights were off in my basement. I told my husband to come here, and I said, “There isn’t anyone down there; no one lives down there,” and broke down on his shoulder. I cried for at least four days and broke down in front of people that had never seen me that way, and I couldn’t control it. I even went to the grocery store and picked up food that only he likes. I called my father and said make it go away. I can’t breathe, when does this emptiness go away? I can’t do this each day, I have to live my life, but I don’t know what that looks like without him as part of it. He lovingly said this is part of the grieving process and it is healthy. The week went on and I was finally able to Skype my son and see his face. He will soon be like my daughter--brave, bold, and independent. After all, that is what we want our children to be when they grow up. My experiences with both of my children have helped me to develop empathy for parents leaving their children at EOU with me and my colleagues. I want you to know that when I say we will do everything we can, that we are not just saying that. I expect the same for my children, and you deserve nothing less. Let them thrive here at EOU, and let your daughter or son be brave, bold and independent. I promise it is an amazing journey to watch unfold.

Kathleen Brown Student Success Coordinator (541) 962-3142 [email protected]

Microsoft Office 2016 Campus Offer The IT Department would like to announce a program through Microsoft which allows EOU Students, Staff & Faculty to purchase a single Microsoft Office 2016 license for either a PC or a Mac to use on your home computer. Total cost for the installation digital download is $9.95 or installation CD is $15.95. To participate in this offer, please visit this page: www.eou.edu/it/office-2016/ and complete the short form at the bottom of the page. You’ll then receive an email

for instructions to visit a Microsoft site where you’ll have to enter a redemption code (included in the instructions) when ordering the software. If you have any questions about this offer, please email us at: [email protected] Informational Technology Department (541) 962-3111 [email protected]

“The Long Trip Home”: Na Meng poverty in the broadest possible cultural view, but also recognized the need to bring new sets of skills to longer term and permanent solutions. With her background in finance, she did a great deal of good to add to the usual perspective of poverty as a purely social condition. That she was so successful in such a short period of time also says a lot about the ability to look outside our area to get expertise that 20 years ago would not have been available to us. For this, I especially thank not only Na, but also EOU and Justin Chin, who is leading a dynamic effort to make borders important only when they show us where the solutions are located, “ said County Commissioner Howard. Na’s previous internships with Schneider Electric, Howard Johnson and AXA Insurance allowed her to gain valuable transferrable experience and skills in financial operations, accounting, marketing, analytics, communications and leadership to her work with County Commissioner Howard. While Na’s academic and career development will bring her financial gain and stability as a professional, it is her personal growth and self-actualization that has made Meng’s stay in the United States so meaningful. It has helped her to belong not only to China and France, but now to eastern Oregon and as she continues to develop a sense of confidence and happiness with her life’s journey. It was only after the completion of her thesis for Montpellier Business College that Na began to transition from student to traveler. A Fourth of July trip to Wallowa County helped Meng to better understand the beauty and transformative power of northeastern Oregon. “It was the first time that I realized that how beautiful eastern Oregon was; it was a good place to relax and release.” Like all journeys, the unexpected gifts of travel that are sometimes the most meaningful. Xi’an has its terracotta warriors, Yunnan has Shangri-La and Paris is the ‘City of Lights’; La Grande is ‘the Hub of Northeast Oregon.’ La Grande’s rugged beauty lends itself to declutter and escape the over-stimulation of urban life to something more introspective. “I missed China for one year, but will spend the rest of my life missing the United States,” said Na with a reluctant smile. Summer term for Na Meng was a bittersweet transition in which she furthered her academic and career trajectory, and in the margins of her memory, gained more insight about herself in four months than she could have ever expected.

Justin Chin Director of Career Services (541) 962-3090 [email protected]

“Three years, three countries, four cities, two degrees” Na Meng

Spring term ends with the mad dash to graduation as EOU’s La Grande campus reaches critical mass as one weekend in June turns La Grande from a small town into a destination for teary-eyed, nostalgic parents and students brimming with a blend of hope and apprehension. In the course of an afternoon EOU’s Community Stadium fills beyond capacity and within hours it returns to state of repair and restoration until Fall term returns again to greet a new cohort of incoming freshmen. Many of EOU’s on-campus students will recount their Summer of 2016 as one filled with travel, seasonal work and time spent with their families at home. For Na Meng, her Summer of 2016 was the end of her stay in the United States and EOU. “After all of the students left at the end of Spring term, I decided to stay on campus while I completed the MBA program. I have always admired the beauty and rural appeal of eastern Oregon, but I didn’t’ realize how quiet campus really was until this Summer,” Meng said with a subtle smile. Na realized how different EOU was from anything that she had ever experienced. La Grande is the smallest city in which Na has ever lived in; she calls Xi’an, China home—China’s ancient capital city of over 4.5 million people—completed her undergraduate degree at Yunnan University of Finance and Economics with an estimated enrollment of over 12,000 students— and as a part of Montpellier Business College in Paris, France with a population of 2.4 million moved across the world to La Grande with population of 13,000 people. In the intimacy of EOU and La Grande, Na was able to continue her academic and professional growth, but at the same time make lifechanging realizations about herself and fall in love with a part of the world so foreign to her. “Three years, three countries, four cities, two degrees—Studying abroad provided me a great opportunity to experience different cultures and develop a global view; this experience will help me understand and excel in a global market. I have to admit I had to overcome difficulties such as language, culture, academic performance and loneliness. But even in the most difficult times, I never regretted the decision to study abroad. I tell myself that life is a miracle. I am glad that I went into the Career Center for help; I wanted a little information on resumes and ended up finding a world that I never knew could be mine.” Na’s work with Career Services allowed her to focus her skills, experiences and goals and to connect her with career development opportunities within La Grande, eastern Oregon and China. During Summer Term, Na was selected by Jack Howard, Union County Commission to serve as a summer intern for the Poverty in Eastern Oregon Summit. “One of the things we've learned to overcome has been the tendency to think that our problems don't have connections to other people or other places or even other times. Working with Na Meng on a local poverty project for Eastern Oregon has demonstrated that the world really works best when we work together. Na not only grasped the importance of addressing

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“Working with Na Meng on a local poverty project for Eastern Oregon has demonstrated that the world really works best when we work together” Jack Howard, Union County Commissioner

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Mountaineer Family Network

“Interns Play Leading Roles in Chemistry Innovations”

Visiting scholars Gaby Hernandez (L) from La and Anna Harris (R) EOU Bio-Chem student Callie Norman has her hands-full in the ‘glove box’

Five area students are interning with faculty in Eastern Oregon University’s chemistry-biochemistry program this summer and their research is yielding impressive – possibly even breakthrough – results. EOU students Callie Norman, of La Grande, and Brianna Mees, of Boring, have a front-row seat to new chemistry with the discovery of a molecule that may interact differently with heme proteins. Heme is a derivative of hemoglobin, and everything from blood pressure regulation to neuron activity is connected to how heme proteins bind with gases in the body. Colin Andrew, professor of chemistry, is heading up the research funded by a National Science Foundation grant. He’s been studying heme proteins for about 15 years, but the molecule has potential to shed new light on the project. “We’re learning from scratch how to see the molecule, defining what the species looks like and how it reacts,” Andrew explained. “We might be a step closer to finding out how proteins interact.” At first, Andrew wasn’t sure if it was possible to study the molecule due to its instability, which presents a very short life cycle for observation. It survives for about a minute after forming, but his team took the challenge and ran with it. “It’s been productive and this is going to be very important,” Andrew said. “I think EOU may be the only place where this is being studied. This is a whole area of heme protein chemistry that is totally new.” Mees is studying molecular biology and Norman is a chemistry-biochemistry major. They enjoy a great deal of freedom working in Andrew’s lab, and that hands-on experience will prove to be a big benefit for Norman when she applies to graduate school. Mees is considering a future career in physical therapy or sports medicine and is using the research as an opportunity to further explore these fields. “They performed all of the experiments and are completely accomplished in using the equipment,” Andrew said. “I’ve been amazed at how quickly they picked things up.” Norman has become an expert operating in the anaerobic environment required for handling protein samples. The machine lovingly dubbed the “glove box” is where she spends a lot of time running experiments. The instruments feed directly to a computer where Mees monitors the results. “Working on something new is very exciting and the timing is great to be involved in this groundbreaking work,” Norman said. When studying a molecule, there are a lot of small changes to observe and Mees appreciates the detail. “Analyzing the effects of adding just one microliter to the sample can change the spectrum so much,” she said. “It’s really cool to watch the colors change.” These fluctuations are recorded using a spectrometer. The discovery will be studied further at Oregon Health & Science University later this month, when Andrew and his students will attempt to recreate their experiments and effectively freeze the molecule.

“The work will continue and I anticipate the results will be published fairly quickly,” Andrew said. Another project with potential for far-reaching results saw advances this summer through the work of three additional interns led by Anna Cavinato, professor of chemistry. Gabby Rodriguez, of La Grande, and Anna Harris and Brian Mandella, both of Pendleton, spent the last several weeks sequencing artificial DNA to isolate specific strands that bind to surface proteins in bacteria. Creating a biosensor is the end goal, which organizations like the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife could deploy easily in the field and have a major impact on salmon preservation efforts. Capturing a female and harvesting her eggs for testing is the most common way to diagnose many diseases, but the team at EOU is working to change that. “Our work could replace current processes and create a non-lethal, non-invasive method of detecting bacteria in water,” Mandella said. The students may have brought the project closer to a solution after being introduced to a new method utilizing graphene oxide – a composite of carbon and oxygen – that simplifies the experiments. The addition of a NanoDrop spectrophotometer is also aiding the research. “The students have been working independently, running experiments from three identified pools of DNA,” Cavinato explained. As Cavinato’s research assistant, Mandella is at home in the second floor lab of EOU’s Science Center. “I really enjoy the molecular biology aspect of this project,” the chemistry-biochemistry major said. “Culturing bacteria is so cool.” Mandella’s position is funded by a grant from the Wildhorse Foundation and he will continue working with Cavinato in the coming academic year. Rodriguez’s eight-week internship is made possible by Project SEED with matching funds from the Richland Section of the American Chemical Society. She joins more than 400 other students placed by the program in academic or industrial labs across the country. Cavinato, the chair of Project SEED, said Eastern and the University of Portland are the only institutions in Oregon hosting these interns over the summer. For Rodriguez, an incoming junior at La Grande High School, the freedom to explore her interest in biology has been the most enjoyable part of her time at EOU. “It’s really fun to make the gels and be independent in the lab,” Rodriguez said of the congealed substance used in gel electrophoresis, a process that separates DNA strands. “When the gels are working properly it provides us with a valuable checkpoint for the research and it’s really satisfying to see the results,” Harris added. Harris sought out Cavinato’s project to gain post-baccalaureate research experience for her grad school resume. She completed a biology degree earlier this year from Smith College, a private liberal arts college for women in Massachusetts. Her internship at EOU is funded by a grant from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s Education Department. For more information about EOU’s chemistry-biochemistry program visit www.eou.edu/chem.

Laura Hancock University Advancement (541) 962-3585 [email protected]

“Three Millennials” I have come across three types of millennials, watching them grow into adulthood and seeing them fuel our future. While each of the three millennial subgroups is typically defined by a range of ages, this does not mean that some older members of this generation do not possess a younger mindset or vice versa. How many times have you heard that millennials are liberal and voted overwhelmingly for President Barack Obama? Most of the millennials were not old enough to vote in 2008, and for those who were of voting age, most did not exercise that right. When nearly all millennials were of voting age in 2014, they painted the country red. Millennials are not just blue or red; instead, we are purple, blending the best aspects of both colors sans all of the useless rhetoric. Like it or not, whether in the workforce or politically, we are the future and that future is now. The first group, who are currently in their late 20’s and early 30’s, can remember a time before computers were common and when the internet was a relatively new phenomenon. This group prefers tangible items than their younger counterparts, preferring to own books, DVDs and other things. They take pride in owning vehicles and work towards owning more classic vehicles, than an interest in cars with the latest tech gadgets. Many were adults when 9/11 occurred, and witnessed this event as it unfolded and changed our world forever. Having survived the recessions of 2001, 2009 and 2011, they are cautious about not only financial matters, but also about dedicating too much time to any one career option. Some are old enough to have secured gainful employment, while the rest are stuck in an endless cycle of college coursework and odd jobs--many holding degrees above a bachelor’s. They tend to be creators and builders, so when something needs to get done, these millennials often do it pro bono. And, when something needed to succeed, they put their personal money behind it. The next group is currently in their mid-to-late 20’s. Having grown up in a world of terrorism and financial instability, many find themselves in union jobs such as nursing, construction or teaching, recognizing in this day and age that even these jobs may not lead to stable, permanent employment. Many of these millennials are entrepreneurs or solo-practitioners who have found ways to make a living using the internet and social media. They are more apt to have a blend of digital and material goods, yet still spend time working towards their piece of the American dream. The last group is currently in their late teens to their early 20’s. They are heavily vested in social media and digital content, and are less likely to be materialistic. This group is more apt to use an Uber vehicle than to own one. They have grown up with a level of financial instability, where college-educated individuals work in dead-end jobs or where they have seen people with 30-plus years of job experience lose their jobs. They move from job-to-job, and strive to learn new, employable skills. They spend more time trying to socialize and enjoy themselves, with seemingly little care for their own futures. While many really do care about their futures, some feel there is nothing that can be done immediately so they decide it is fine to have some fun in the meantime. They are frequently the most passionate and vocal of the three subgroups.

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“Depending on your social up bringing, you are either pressured to succeed or are convinced that you will fail. It’s apparent that early 20’s Millennials are striving to make their own Heaven on Earth. Actively choosing to ignore traditional work routes or work ethic and seeking ways in which they learn and perform best. They want companies and immediate team members to include and engage them; to be considered valuable and utilized as a resource” said Edith Gomez, 22, Millennial Community member. “The third group in most aspects fit me the most. As a 23 year old millennial, I am all about living in the moment. If that moment is to have fun and enjoy life, I want to do that and if that moment is to be a bit more serious and take advantage of an opportunity, I want to do that too. Most importantly, I want to be in the space to do what I feel is right, regardless of what I’ve seen in the past or what I think is best for me. If I feel it is right, I usually act on it.” “Millennials are the now generation. They are the individuals companies are seeking out to gain insight and opinions from. They want to know what we’re buying, subscribing to and engaging with and if they can tap into that, they’ve tapped into a gold mine. I know for sure we take advantage of moments in time, trends, and we look for ways to work faster and smarter.” said D’Anthony Jackson, 23, Millennial Community member. I feel these three groups are what make millennials difficult to define. We, as a group, are a series of contradictory thoughts, views and statements, and yet with a similar desire for honesty, transparency and authenticity. We are almost always poorly defined as a generation, ranging from our work ethic to our political views. Society, individuals and companies need to realize that Generation Y is multi-faceted, cause-driven, entrepreneurial and communal. All which add to the advancement of social growth, economic wealth and global unity.

“We, as a group, are a series of contradictory thoughts, views, and statements, and yet with a similar desire for honesty, transparency and authenticity” Ryan Kleve, EOU Millennial Community Member Ryan Kleve MBA Candidate 2016 EOU Millennial Community Member

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month & Speel-Ya

Native American Heritage Month is fast approaching! Native American Heritage Month in it’s infancy was American Indian Day issued September 28, 1915. The purpose of the day was to gain recognition of the contributions American Indians made to the establishment of the United States. In 1990, November was proclaimed Native American Heritage Month and has been issued every year since 1994. At Eastern Oregon University, Native American Heritage Month is celebrated by students, faculty and staff every year. Speel-Ya Native American Student Council along with the Native American Program create several events where EOU and La Grande community members can participate and learn about American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and traditions. Some of the past year’s events include: Native American topic panels, craft workshops, free movie screenings, dance & drum demonstrations, Rock-Ur-Mocs, and frybread and Indian taco sales. Keep an eye out for the poster for this year’s events! Speel-Ya, which means coyote, is one of the oldest clubs at EOU. The club was established in the fall of 1969 and is still going strong 47 years later. The club does many events throughout the year, the main one being the Indian Arts Festival Spring Pow Wow & Friendship Feast. This is a large two-day event brining in Natives and non-Natives from all over the Northwest. Every year since 1970 the event is held on or the week after Mother’s Day weekend. It is a time for celebrating with Native American drumming, dancing, food, and vendors. During the Pow Wow Native American students are honored for their academic successes, veterans are honored for their service, and mother’s honored for their creation of life. There will be many events throughout the year for students and community to participate. Both the Native American Heritage Month and the Indian Arts Festival Spring Pow Wow and Friendship Feast is free and open to the public. Speel-Ya is always welcome for new members, Native and non-Native. Come and join us. Shoshoni Walker Rural and Native American Coordinator (541) 962-3588 [email protected]

For other news and events check out www.eou.edu/news/

Mountaineer Family Network The Mountaineer Family Network is designated to help parents and other family members be informed about matters of importance to EOU students and their families. If you have any questions, please contract us at the Mountaineer Family Network: Phone Number: Email: Mailing Address:

(541) 962-3672 or 800-452-8639 [email protected] Eastern Oregon University One University Boulevard Inlow Hall 109 La Grande, OR 97850

Upcoming Events  Thanksgiving Break Nov. 23-26  Finals Week Dec. 5-9  Official Grades Posted Dec. 13  Winter Break Dec. 12—Jan. 8  Winter Term Begins  Jan. 9