>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

All this week, returning students and first-year students are arriving on the Eastern Oregon University campus. Many parents have made the trip as well. We welcome all of you to La Grande and thank you for your financial commitment to EOU.

You will find La Grande to be a very friendly town. And a safe environment for students as well. The residents and local merchants here all recognize the importance of the student population at EOU and the huge economic footprint the university provides. There is an appreciation for the youthful energy, vibrancy and enthusiasm that university students extend — beyond campus — to our city. And of course, the revenues students generate for off-campus rentals, local restaurants and retailers are substantial.

This is a community that supports and cares about EOU athletics, musical and theatre productions and special on-campus symposiums and seminars. There is a "swinging gate" between EOU and La Grande and a new university president in place — Dixie Lund — who sincerely invites and welcomes an increasing level of interaction between the university community and local residents.

EOU administrators, community leaders and business owners have coordinated efforts this year to build an even stronger partnership in welcoming students and parents to the campus and La Grande. A whole series of activities, events and orientation sessions have been organized on-campus and in downtown

La Grande.

Already this week, more than 600 people attended the EOU Foundation Community Picnic on campus — a gathering of students, faculty, staff, administrators, retirees, community leaders and business owners. Student and parent orientation sessions were held Wednesday and today. "EOU Expedition Campus Tours," information sessions and student/faculty breakfasts are all under way.

This coming Saturday, there will be a tailgate party and BBQ adjacent to Community Stadium. That event will begin two hours in advance of the 1 p.m. kickoff of the EOU- Rocky Mountain College football game.

On Sunday afternoon, all university students — and local residents — are invited to "Shop Downtown La Grande.'' Nearly 25 local downtown businesses will open between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to roll out the welcome mat — and some special offers — to university students.

Hard-working EOU administrators, the La Grande Downtown Development Association, the Union County Chamber of Commerce and Union County Tourism should all be commended for the extra planning, organization and successful implementation of these events. Working together for the benefit of EOU students is a sound strategy for all of us to embrace. President Lund's "student-centric" emphasis at EOU is moving forward.