EOU opened its doors in 1929 as Eastern Oregon Normal School, a teacher training school. In 1939, the Oregon Legislature changed the name to Eastern Oregon College of Education. The words "of Education" were dropped from the college's name in 1956. The 1973 Legislature changed EOC's name to Eastern Oregon State College. In 1997, Eastern Oregon State College became Eastern Oregon University. In 2013 the Oregon University System began the process of creating independent boards for certain schools, including Oregon State and the University of Oregon. On June 30, 2015, the Oregon University System was dissolved and on July 1, 2015, the Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees took on governance of the institution.
Campus setting
EOU's location in La Grande is in the heart of the Blue Mountain range between Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho just off Interstate 84. Driving to La Grande takes approximately four hours from Portland, two and half from Boise, five from Seattle, and four from Spokane., the school has over 3,000 total students, including those attending on campus and through their online education programs. The campus contains 26 buildings, including three living facilities - Alikut Hall, North Hall, and Daugherty Hall - all of which are co-ed. Inlow Hall, Eastern's administration building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Academics
EOU offers a limited number of majors in traditional fields of the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, and Business. Budget cuts have eliminated all majors in foreign languages, though a Spanish minor still exists. New programming in vocational fields such as Fire Services Administration and Global Foods and Agribusiness target regional employment needs.
Academic organization
EOU offers bachelor's degrees and the degrees of , MBA, Master of Education and Master of Arts in Teaching. Most degrees conferred, however, are undergraduate B.S. degrees. The university offers business and elementary education programs at a satellite campus in Gresham, Oregon. The school is composed of the following colleges in order of size:
EOU is known for its mountainous location and its academic programs related to the outdoors. An began in Fall 2016. In addition, EOU has military science, agricultural science, and nursing offered on campus by other Oregon universities. Many degrees are available fully online. Eastern Oregon's Psychology department is one of the last university programs that still has its students use live animals in behavioral studies.
Faculty
EOU employs just over one hundred full-time faculty. They are organized under the Associated Academic Professionals , and are currently in negotiations for a new contract.
In 2005, Eastern Oregon's football program joined the NAIA's Division I Frontier Conference, previously having competed as an Independent of the NCAA'sDivision III level. Eastern Oregon's football team plays at Community Stadium located on campus. The La Grande High School football team also plays their home games there. Athletic Director: Anji Weissenfluh Sports Information Director: Iain Dexter Defunct Sports: Women's Golf, Skiing. Some sports have been relegated to club sports such as rodeo and polo.
Notable alumni
Fouad Ajami, Middle East expert and political advisor
99-year-old Leo Plass received his degree in June 2011, setting a world record. He dropped out less than one semester away from graduation in 1932 when the Great Depression occurred and started a career as a logger. He died in August 2015, shortly after his 104th birthday.
