MONMOUTH, Ore. –The Western Oregon University Foundation released its annual report for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The report includes total contributions to the Foundation for 2023-2024, and recent budgetary year results on Endowment, Scholarships, and Competitive Grants.

Contributions totaled $5,137,525 for the fiscal year–one of the strongest fundraising years in the Foundation’s history– and include all new outright or committed private gifts and grants made to the WOU Foundation. The Foundation received gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations, and contributions increased almost 78 percent in the 2024 fiscal year from the prior year.

Scholarships and student aid awards surpassed $1 million for the fifth year, with the WOU Foundation investing $1,259,233 back to students with emergency or financial needs, academic merit, athletics participation, and more.

Katie Wojke, vice president of advancement and executive director of the Western Oregon University Foundation shares that growth in areas that positively impact students is made possible due to each and every generous contribution. “Private philanthropy and volunteer service are critical to supporting students during their higher education journey. Thank you to each and every donor and volunteer who is making an impact and lifting up Western and its students.”

The Foundation and University have also seen an increase in the number of volunteers who are giving back to Western in creative ways. 

“It has been 37 years since I graduated, and the more time that passes the more I value the education and experience I received. I volunteer at WOU out of a sincere desire to give back to an institution that has given me so much,” says Doug Ladd ‘88, chair of the WOU Alumni Board.

View the 2023-2024 Annual Report.

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About The Western Oregon University Foundation

The Western Oregon University Foundation was founded in 1965 and is the fundraising arm of Western Oregon University. A nonprofit corporation, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees with IRS 501(c)3 status, the WOU Foundation’s scholarship program includes more than 250 donor-funded scholarships. In addition, the foundation manages nearly 300 funds for academic and student programs.

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KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — The Presidents of Oregon’s public polytechnic and regional universities (TRUs)–Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University, Eastern Oregon University, and Oregon Institute of Technology–signed a memorandum of understanding on Aug. 15 with Wenzao University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The MOU aims to foster teacher-student exchanges, student mobility programs, joint research initiatives, and Chinese language programs, all with the goal of cultivating international and cross-disciplinary talent.

The delegation was led by Oregon State Representative Paul Evans (District 20) and was made up of key leaders from Oregon’s universities, including Jesse Peters, president of Western Oregon University; Kelly Ryan, president of Eastern Oregon University; Rick Bailey, president of Southern Oregon University; and Nagi Naganathan, president of Oregon Institute of Technology; along with Sheila Clough, chair of the SOU Board of Trustees. 

The signing ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, Oregon State Representative Paul Evans, former state Representative Brian Clem, and Director of the Kaohsiung Branch of the American Institute in Taiwan Neil H. Gibson, Wen Hongguo, leader of the cultural newsgroup of the Kaohsiung Branch of the American Institute in Taiwan, and additional cultural and educational stakeholders. This partnership marks a new chapter in global academic cooperation as Wenzao University continues to establish itself as a hub of international education.

“Wenzao’s alliance with a well-known higher education institution in the United States has great symbolic significance,” Wenzao University President Zhuang Huiling said.

Huiling added that Wenzao University was founded in 1966 by a group of nuns from the Saint Ursuline religious order in Rome and has always adhered to the spirit of "internationalization" when running the school. Presently, Wenzao University has more than 320 sister schools around the world, where their students have the opportunity to study abroad. At the same time, Wenzao hosts students from 19 countries to integrate multiple cultures into the campus.

This is an important milestone between Wenzao University and the public technical and regional universities in Oregon. It not only strengthens each institution’s connection with the world but also opens up a new era for academic exchanges and development.

The presidents from Oregon’s TRU institutions value the importance of international educational exchanges.

"International educational exchanges are essential for fostering global understanding and collaboration,” the presidents said in a joint statement. “They provide students and faculty invaluable opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives, enriching both their academic and personal growth. We are deeply grateful for the warm hospitality extended during our visit and look forward to nurturing and growing this partnership."

Photo: Rick Bailey; president at SUU, Kelly Ryan; president at EOU, Sheila Clough; chair of the SUU Board of Trustees, Jesse Peters; president at WOU, Nagi Naganathan; president at OIT.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

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MONMOUTH, Ore. –The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees recently elected Angela Fasana to serve as the third board chair. 

Fasana has been a Western Oregon University Board of Trustee since July 2022, (her current term ends June 30, 2026) and serves on the Finance and Administration Committee. In her new role, she will also chair the Executive Governance Committee.

Fasana will be replacing Trustee Betty Komp as chair. Komp, a Western alumni, was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees in 2017 after retiring from the Oregon House of Representatives. Komp also served as a teacher and school administrator in the Woodburn Public School District.  In 2018, she was elected as the second Board of Trustees Chair, replacing the first Chair, Jim Bumgartner. Komp was re-elected as chair in June 2020 and 2022.

"I'd like to thank Trustee Betty Komp for her exceptional service as Chair of the Board of Trustees,” said Western Oregon University President Jesse Peters. “Her leadership, dedication, and commitment to our university have made a lasting impact."

Fasana earned her sociology degree from Portland State University and a Juris Doctorate from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College. She is a member of the Tribal Nation of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and has served the tribe in multiple capacities since the mid-90s. Fasana currently serves as the Education Department Manager and served as Court Administrator for the Grand Ronde Tribal Court for 19 years. Previous roles include Tribal Liaison and a Willamina School District board member.

“I am looking forward to working with Angela Fasana as chair of the Board of Trustees,” said Western Oregon University President Jesse Peters. “She understands the power of higher education to shape lives in positive ways. As the first Native American chair of the BOT, her service also marks an important moment for Western Oregon University, and I welcome her partnership as we implement our new strategic plan.”

Growing up in Willamina, where Fasana’s mother worked in the mills and her father worked as a logger, she learned the value of hard work and the importance of higher education. After graduating high school, she attended Western Oregon University and then transferred to Portland State University to be closer to her high school boyfriend, now husband of 30 years.

Fasana shares that she’s always had a special place in her heart for Western and recommends it to students from the tribe. “When approached about serving on the Board, I was hesitant due to other commitments I had made, however when the opportunity presented itself again, I was happy to serve,” adds Fasana. She also shares that her grandmother was a very influential person in her life and was a catalyst for decisions about higher education and all that it can contribute to one’s life. “It means a great deal to me to give back to the university with my service in hopes that it is helping others with their life journeys.”

Fasana is married to Ariah Fasana, a high school coach for 30 years and teacher for 27 years. They have two children, Justin and Cheyanne, a son-in-law, Tyler, and two granddaughters. Fasana’s daughter is an alum of Western’s education graduate program.  

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where You Belong.