Eastern honors women of Courage and Vision

Award recipients at the EOU Women of Courage and Vision ceremony included, from left, Nancy Knowles, Dawn Schiller, Brynne Morningstar and Linda Densmore.

Hers was a voice that fell silent Dec. 23 when she died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home in La Grande at age 45.

Today the popular professor’s voice still echoes at EOU. It echoes in the minds of students and colleagues like art professor Jessica Plattner.

“I don’t have words to describe her loss,’’ Plattner said.

She did have words that brought Galloway’s legacy to life. Plattner said Galloway had an uncommon gift for inspiring others to think, work harder and believe in themselves. She recalled Galloway was always encouraging people to keep moving forward even after hitting stumbling blocks. Unnamed students who submitted comments to Plattner on how Galloway touched their lives also remember this well.

“When I have a tough day I can hear her voice saying, ‘Move on,’ ’’ wrote one student.

Plattner read many other comments submitted by students commenting on the influence Galloway had on them. One wrote that “Her belief in me made me believe in myself.’’

A number of others wrote that Galloway had a rare ability to be tough while still inspiring and encouraging.

“She was soft and tough at the same time,’’ said one student.

Plattner’s concluding comments  revealed the true magnitude of Galloway’s loss.

“Sometimes I can’t believe we are continuing to function as an art department without her.’’

Jo Topholm, Galloway’s life partner, accepted the Woman of Inspiration Award on Galloway’s behalf.

Galloway was one of five women saluted at the Courage and Vision ceremony. Those also recognized were Linda Densmore, Nancy Knowles, Brynne Morningstar and Dawn Schiller.

The awards program was part of EOU’s celebration of International Women’s Week.

CAMPUS FACULTY AWARD: Nancy Knowles, an English and writing professor at EOU, was presented this award by sociology professor Rosemary Powers.

Powers commended Knowles for her sensitivity to the challenges students face, her work ethic, courage and integrity.

“She speaks the truth as she understands it and calls us all to live out the values we proclaim,’’ the sociology professor said.

Powers said Knowles’ efforts to reach out to students is making an important difference in their lives. She noted that Knowles works tirelessly at helping students who come to college not as prepared as they should be.

Powers pointed out that Knowles is so committed to teaching that she once attended one of Powers’ sociology classes for an entire term. Knowles did so in order to learn how to better teach the students, many of whom she had in her classes, how to write about sociology.

Knowles’ work ethic was alluded to cleverly by Powers.

“Few have read her “12-step’’ program for women who work too much,’’ the sociology professor said.

Knowles spoke humbly of  Powers’ reference to courage when accepting her award.

“If I have any courage at all it comes from my students,’’ the writing and English professor said.

She noted the students coming to college after being out of school for years are the ones who are brave.

“I know all the struggles they face. They have real issues. There is a lot to juggle. Coming back after being in the work force takes a lot of courage,’’ Knowles said.

She credited Eastern with doing an excellent job of helping these and other students adjust to college. Knowles credits this with helping EOU’s recent jump in student retention.

Knowles said that in the future she wants EOU to focus on establishing a child care program on campus. She said this would fill an important need since many EOU students returning to college are parents of young children. It would also give students in EOU’s early childhood education program a chance to get practical experience.

CAMPUS STAFF AWARD: Dawn Schiller, a student and EOU employee, received the award in recognition for work she has done at EOU to help review and revise EOU’s sexual harassment and consensual-relationship policies, her service as a Shelter From the Storm volunteer and for helping teens who have been abandoned by their families.

Marilyn Ewing, a retired EOU English professor who presented the award to Schiller, praised her for how she has risen to overcome abuse and mistreatment as a youth and a young adult. Ewing described Schiller as an “extraordinary woman who has endured excruciatingly brutal treatment, and yet has courageously risen above it all.’’

She said Schiller’s story was so compelling that it was made into a film in 2003, “Wonderland.’’ It starred Val Kilmer as her abuser and Kate Bosworth as Dawn.

Ewing said that despite what she endured “Dawn managed to emerge triumphantly from the kind of adversity that most people would not survive, and she has used her experiences to help other victims of abuse.’’

Ewing added that “Dawn Schiller is a great soul and her vision of a community without spousal and child abuse help make this world a better place for us all.’’

Schiller said she was very honored and moved to receive the award.

“I’m used to adversity. I’m not used to this’’ she said.

Schiller spoke of how excited she is to now also be a student at EOU.

“I never got a chance to get the education I always wanted to get. It wasn’t in the cards because I had a different set of cards to play,’’ Schiller said.

She also spoke of her efforts to end child and spousal abuse.

“Something in my gut screams, ‘We can change this,’’’ she said.

Schiller, who speaks nationally about helping adolescents, is creating a non-profit organization to assist teens, ESTEAM. It stands for Empowering Successful Teens through Education, Awareness and Mentoring.

She is now completing a book about her experiences, “The Road Through Wonderland: The Memoirs of Dawn Schiller.’’ The autobiography, which will be published by Medallion Press, will be available Aug. 1.

CAMPUS STUDENT AWARD: Brynne Morningstar, recipient of the honor, was saluted for her many efforts to help students at EOU.

Morningstar has done this while serving as student government vice president for diversity and equity, a member of the Oregon Student Equal Rights Alliance, president of the EOU Student Democrats and in roles with other organizations.

“She is truly a voice for the under represented ... She constantly pushes for the advancement of all students at EOU,’’ said Eastern student Rellani Ogumoro, who presented Morningstar with her award.

Ogumoro, EOU’s student body president, credits Morningstar with inspiring her to work to improve the

campus and community.

“She has motivated me in many ways. She pushed me to be an advocate for change,’’ Ogumoro said.

Morningstar said she was very excited to receive the Campus Student Award.

“It is very much an honor,’’ the EOU student said.

She spoke not of her accomplishments but of the challenges she has faced and how grateful she is to those at EOU who have reached out to her. Morningstar came to Eastern after serving in the U.S. Army for five years and nine months, including one year in Iraq.

“It was an honor and privilege to serve in the military, but adjusting to civilian life after the military is difficult,’’ she said.

Morningstar said she might not have been able to make the transition without the help of those who supported her.

“The help of my friends and mentors has been priceless. They may have saved my life.’’

COMMUNITY AWARD: Linda Densmore, the award’s recipient, was recognized for steps she has taken to improve the quality of life in Northeast Oregon and her tireless efforts to make sure activity programs are available to youths.

Sharon Evoy of La Grande, who introduced Densmore, credited her with important efforts in addressing air quality issues in the Grande Ronde Valley, helping bring Barack Obama to Pendleton during the 2008 presidential race and much more.

Evoy said Densmore is the type of person who steps forward when there is a need for leadership.

“She is conscientious, persistent and has infectious activism,’’ Evoy said.

Densmore’s daughter, Samantha, a senior at La Grande High School, also spoke at the ceremony. She said that a phrase that describes her mother perfectly is “Be the change you want to see in the world.’’

Samantha Densmore, like Evoy, lauded her mother for stepping forward when there is a leadership void. Samantha noted that when she was a sixth-grader her soccer team had enough players but no coach. Samantha said her mother volunteered to coach — even though she knew little about soccer — just so Samantha and her friends could have a team. The LHS senior said her mom spent long hours reading books, attending clinics and more to teach herself about soccer.

She said such steps are symbolic of the many things her mom does to help others.

“Everyone can learn something from her selflessness.’’

Linda Densmore, who has also been a Girl Scout leader, a Boy Scout volunteer, school art literacy program volunteer and a youth volleyball coach, felt disbelief upon learning of her award. 

“This is the nicest thing that has ever happened to me in my life,’’ she said.

Densmore said she knew of many others who were more deserving. Densmore said she felt better, though, after looking at past lists of Women of Courage and Vision award winners and finding that many of these people had already been honored.

Densmore said she is inspired to work hard for young people in memory of her brother, who died four years ago of alcoholism. He was never involved in youth activities while growing up in California and dropped out of high school as a sophomore. Densmore believes things may have turned out much better for her bother, who grew up in an unstable family, if he had been involved in activities as a youth, activities in which adults could mentor him.

“This (the memory of her brother) has driven me as an adult to help kids,’’ Densmore said.

Densmore credits the support and encouragement she has received from her husband, La Grande physician Gregg Densmore, with allowing her to be an active volunteer.