EOU announces 2008 alumni award recipients

Eastern Oregon University salutes the accomplishments and contributions of alumni during Homecoming at the 2008 EOU Alumni Honors Ceremony Friday.

A reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Loso Hall lobby, and the ceremony follows at 7 in McKenzie Theatre.

Recipients of the 2008 awards are as follows:

• Richard Dillon, of Payette, Idaho, Distinguished Alumni Award;

• Arthur Derbyshire, of Hermiston, Alumni Merit Award; and

• Mohsen “Max” Mohammadi, of Boise, Community Partner Award.

Richard Dillon, EOU Class of 1971, has a long history of community involvement at the local, state and national level. He is a member of the Idaho Public School Hall of Fame in recognition of his 40-year career as an educator, administrator and superintendent of Idaho schools.

Dillon is also a nationally recognized coach for 56 different teams, holding a 70-percent career win ratio with 35 championships and multiple Coach of the Year awards. His influence in public school administration has been noted throughout the state of Idaho, and EOU is pleased to present him with the Alumni Association’s highest honor this year.

Art Derbyshire, a retired teacher and coach, graduated from Drain High School in 1964 and began attending Eastern. He majored in biology and received his degree in 1969 before beginning his career in teaching for the Elkton School District. Derbyshire taught at Elkton for eight years and at Stanfield High School for 22 years.

The Oregon High School Science Teachers Association honored Derbyshire for his work in the classroom from 1989 to 1990, naming him the Outstanding Science Teacher in Oregon. His coaching skills also proved noteworthy when the Stanfield High boys track team won the 2A championship in 1999 and went on to be named district champions six times throughout Derbyshire’s career.

In 1999 and 2001, Who’s Who in Oregon Track and Field awarded Derbyshire’s teams number one 2A dual team standing and named Derbyshire Coach of the Year for both years. The Stanfield School Board dedicated their new track facility in his name this year.

Max Mohammadi, EOU Class of 1982, came to the United States from Tehran, Iran, as a teenager. As the owner of the Casba Restaurant, Opa Lounge and the Discover Lending Group, he is also a former Boise mayoral candidate and is known as a cornerstone of the Boise community.

For the past eight years, Mohammadi has opened the doors of his restaurant on Thanksgiving to the less fortunate, offering warm food and a festive atmosphere to those in need.

He is a regular public speaker at churches, charity events, board meetings and schools in Boise. For him, it is a chance to project a favorable image of ethnic and cultural diversity. For others, it is an opportunity to reverse the stereotypes stemming from world conflicts.

Mohammadi also hosts an annual alumni reception at his restaurant and is an avid EOU supporter.

The EOU Athletic Department will also induct three new members to the Hall of Fame during the honors ceremony. They are:

• Jim Fryback, baseball (1968-73);

• John Kruesi, wrestling (1977-71); and

• Jason Werst, cross country and track and field (1992-95).

For more information about Homecoming and Oktoberfest, visit www.eou.edu/alumni/homecoming, call 962-3740 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it