The history of Southern Oregon University is closely tied to the history of Ashland.   A school which opened in 1857, only five years after the arrival of first pioneers to the valley, was the town’s first effort at establishing an educational program.  It had a roster of 22 students and was housed in the home of a private citizen.

 From these earliest days the story of the college’s development is long tale of progress and failure to maintain a permanent institution.  The Ashland Academy was organized by local Methodists in 1869.  It was renamed the Ashland College in 1872 and later the Ashland College and Normal School in 1879.  In 1882 the state of Oregon designated the school an official state normal school, but failed to provide any funding for it. [The concept of the “normal school” for the training of teachers is named after the French model of the école normale which set a standardized system of teaching.]

 In 1892, Methodists from Portland provided financial assistance and reformed the school as the Ashland Collegiate Institute.  By 1895 it was again reorganized as the Southern Oregon State Normal School and was given state funding in 1899.  Again designated a state institution in 1904, only to have its state funding once again cut off in 1909, the school finally found stability in 1926 when it was re-established on land donated by the city of Ashland.

 Changes of name have reflected its growth and changing programs.  What became Southern Oregon College of Education in 1939 grew into Southern Oregon College in 1956, Southern Oregon State College in 1975, and in 1997, now offering doctoral degrees, Southern Oregon University.

 Today the university has a roster of more than 5,000 students, offers 35 majors and 100 programs of study, and is known for its criminology, natural sciences, Shakespearean studies, foreign language institute, and theatre arts programs.  It is the base of operations for KSOR, Jefferson Public Radio (a National Public Radio affiliate), and the public access station Rogue Valley Television.   SOU is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.

For information about today's Southern Oregon University, click here.

 wb 4/2008

 Sources for this article include Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and information provided by the Oregon University System.