Ashland Named Top Geotourism Destination
Ashland has long been recognized as a destination for its history, culture, charming downtown, and rich recreational opportunities. Now we have the added distinction of being named one of the world's Top Ten Places for Geotourism by the National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations. This list puts Ashland in the company of the Norwegian fjords, Scotland's Isle of Skye, and the Island of Grenada. Coincidentally, the only other city on the list is our very own sister city: Guanajuato, Mexico.
The society's website defines geotourism as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”
This recognition offers yet another proof of our commitment to sustainability. Not only does it celebrate the natural beauty of our location, but it also points to the educational opportunities available in this exceptional bioregion.
For more on geotourism, visit the National Geographic Society website.
For the original USA Today article, click here.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Monday, January 19, marked Ashland's twenty-first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. To honor his memory—and those throughout history who have struggled to make our nation a better place—SOU joined the city of Ashland, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Ashland City School System for an afternoon of poetry, dancing, singing, and celebration at the Ashland Armory. The theme of the event was Transformational Leadership, which pertained not only to the legacy of Dr. King but to the inauguration of Barack Obama, which took place the following day.
Prior to the event, the students and faculty of Walker Elementary School joined in the annual Walker Elementary Peace Walk, which included a program of heartfelt speeches and singing. You may have seen the elementary schoolchildren traipsing across campus as they participated in this annual tradition.
Following the event, SOU's Black Student Union led a march from the Armory to the Plaza, where Dr. King's “I Have a Dream” speech echoed throughout downtown.
Presidential Inauguration
The January 20 inauguration held unparalleled historical significance, with the election of the country's first African-American president. In recognition of this historic occasion, many classes were cancelled, and big-screen televisions were set up on campus to view the ceremonies.
About 400 students and faculty gathered in the Rogue River Room to witness the day's momentous events and share a free breakfast. John Darling of the Medford Mail Tribune was on hand to witness the enthusiasm. You can read his article, which includes poignant quotes from members of the SOU community, here.
Black Student Union Brings Black Violin to Ashland
These historic events are exciting segues into Black History Month, celebrated in February. SOU's Black Student Union is bringing the nationally acclaimed Black Violin to the Ashland Armory on February 28. Doors will open at 8 pm, and the show starts at 9 pm. Tickets go on sale at Raider Aid later this week.
Local hiphop band One Movement will open for Black Violins, and there may be some surprise performances, as well. Call BSU representative Nicole Jolly at 415-847-2789 for more information.
Chamber Music Concerts Events
From January 12 to 16, Chamber Music Concerts (CMC) hosted a series of performances and educational events featuring the acclaimed Quartetto Gelato. The events, held at schools throughout the region, included a lecture for SOU business students titled “The Business of Music.” The series concluded with a January 16 concert in our Music Recital Hall.
Quartetto Gelato has established itself as a force on the emerging “new classical” scene, winning NPR's coveted title of Performance Today's Debut Artist of the Year in 1996.
Chamber Music Concerts celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary this year. Two concerts are planned for February. The Debussy Quartet with Katherine Chi on piano will perform on Friday, February 6, at 8 pm and Saturday, February 7, at 3 pm. The Debussy Quartet was chosen as the Best Chamber Music Ensemble 1996 Victoires de la Musique.
The Leipzig String Quartet will perform on Friday, February 27, at 8 pm and Saturday, February 28, at 3 pm. Founded in 1988, the Leipzig String Quartet is now widely acclaimed as one of the most exciting string quartets on the international chamber music scene.
Click here for more information and to order tickets.
Theatre Arts Winter Season
SOU's Department of Theatre Arts kicks off its winter season on February 13 with
Dick Whittington and His Amazing Cat (pictured above) by Pat Hume. A charming musical, this year's children's theatre offering is filled with outrageous characters and is suitable for children eight years and older. Dick teams up with an extraordinary cat when he travels to seek his fortune in London. Michael J. Hume of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival directs.
Nilo Cruz's Anna in the Tropics starts its run on Thursday, February 19. As workers toiled in Florida's cigar-making factories in the early twentieth century, lectors would educate and entertain them by reading books aloud. When a new lector reads Anna Karenina to the workers, he unleashes desires and jealousies within a family bound by tradition. Cruz received a Pulitzer Prize for this play in 2003. Theatre arts alumna Stephany Smith-Pearson directs.
Eight students have significant roles in design and technical direction for these productions. The student designers for Dick Whittington and His Amazing Cat are Dorian Robison (scenic), Bradly Sosinski (costumes), Kristin Lake (lighting), and Robert Erickson (sound). Pictured above are Kristin (left) and Robert with Chair of Theatre Arts Chris Sackett (middle). Dorian Robison is also the technical director (shown at left with Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Sean O'Skea).
Design for Anna in the Tropics will be handled by students Amanda Patt (scenic), Savel Sabol (costumes), and Bridget Carlson (lighting). Above are Amanda with Sean O'Skea (left), Savel with Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Deborah Rosenberg (middle), and Bridget (right) with Kristin and Chris Sackett.
Christopher Cook is the technical director (shown above with Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Ezra Severin).
For more information about the productions and performance dates, visit the Theatre Arts website.
Taking the Sea
Emeritus Professor of Business Dennis Powers has published yet another book, Taking the Sea. He headlined a book signing on Friday, January 23, at the Medford Barnes & Noble. Congratulations to Dennis on his latest publishing success.
Dennis will also participate in Hannon Library's Siskiyou Series on Thursday, February 12, at 4 pm. Topics include the old-time wreckers (or ship salvagers), as well as tales of the seas, ghost ships, and adventures.
Biointensive Farming Author Visits SOU
On January 22, John Jeavons—author of the bestselling How to Grow More Vegetables and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine—presented a lecture on biointensive farming in Stevenson Union. He was also a guest on Jefferson Public Radio's Jefferson Exchange.
Internationally renowned for his teachings on sustainable, small-scale farming methods, Jeavons is the recipient of the Boise Peace Quilt Award, the Steward of Sustainable Agriculture Award, and the Giraffe Award for Public Service.
SOU Women Race to Sixth Straight Win
A big second half run helped the SOU Women's Basketball Team score their sixth-straight victory, 89-76 over Evergreen State Saturday night at McNeal Pavilion.
The Raiders are now 17-4 overall and 9-3 in Cascade Conference play. Evergreen State dropped to 9-10 overall and 4-8 in conference action.
Whitney Scott led the Raiders with 21 points and seven assists. Rhiannon Dickison finished with 20 points and Jacki Speer finished with her 13th double-double of the year with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
SOU Basketball Players Read to YMCA Preschoolers
Members of the women's and men's basketball teams spent three Thursdays in January reading to YMCA preschoolers.
The basketball players went in for an hour every Thursday and then had the preschoolers as their guest at last Friday's home basketball games.
This is a wonderful example of our students contributing back to the community. Way to go, Raiders!
SOU Wrestlers Set School Mark for Wins
The fifth-ranked SOU Wrestling Team went 3-0 at the recent Cal Baptist Duals, winning their program-best 16th dual meet of the season.
The Raiders (16-1) defeated Embry-Riddle (28-11), Grand Canyon (34-3) and 11th-ranked Cal Baptist (29-12).
The previous high for wins was in 1987–88 when the Raiders won 15 duals and went a perfect 15-0.
In the finale against Cal Baptist, the hosts won two of the first three matches before the Raiders came firing back. The scales were tipped when John Bates scored a major decision victory to give SOU the momentum and Mitchell Lofstedt scored a tech fall at 125.
The rout of Grand Canyon, the Lopes won the opening match at 174 and then watched as the Raiders rolled to victories in the final nine matches, including a major decision by Justin Mills at 157.
Against Embry-Riddle, the two teams split the first four matches before SOU ran off four straight to take control. Bates (Hwt.) and Barry Johnson (141) scored major decision victories, while Tommie Hooper won by tech fall at 157.
Current Events
Arts and Culture
Music
Community Events
Photo Credits (top to bottom, left to right)
Beautiful Ashland (Sean Bagshaw).
Martin Luther King Jr. Day events (photo courtesy of the Ashland Daily Tidings).
Barack Obama during his visit to Medford in 2008 (Associate Professor of Communication Dennis Dunleavy).
The members of Black Violin (courtesy of Black Violin).
The members of Quartetto Gelato (courtesy of Quartetto Gelato).
Dick Whittington and His Amazing Cat (courtesy of the Theatre Arts Department).
Photos of theatre arts students and faculty (Rory N. Finney).
Dennis Powers (Rory N. Finney).
Biointensive farming event (Rory N. Finney).
Women's Basketball Team (courtesy of Athletics).
