Winter 2026

Greetings Everyone,

We hope your holiday season was a good one and you are looking forward to a wonderful year filled with great activities with family and friends.  

LUNCHEON
The next luncheon for the Retirees will be held on February 20, 2026 in the Rogue River Room.  As usual, social half-hour will begin at 11:30 am to catch up with friends and have lunch.   We will have two soups and tea sandwiches for lunch.  Trays will be available and a Leadership Volunteer will be available if anyone needs help.

PROGRAM
Lee Ayers will be introducing our program featuring Dennis Slattery.   Dennis is an Associate Professor of Accounting who has a unique style of teaching.  He is currently the chair of the Faculty Senate and is a past member of the Board of Trustees.  He belongs to many community organizations and was just awarded the Alan C. Bates Public Service Award -the highest community award given to a community member.  He is a wonderful and very informative speaker.

DONATION
If you have not submitted your donation form for the 2025-26 year, donation forms will be available at the registration table.  This donation helps to pay for the coffee, tea, and water service and some meals for each of our luncheons.  Any remaining funds go to our scholarship fund.

SCHOLARSHIP
Our $1,200 scholarship recipient for this year is Asher Roth.  You may remember Asher was our recipient last year.  He is from the Portland area   and is now a sophomore working towards his major in English.   We are hoping Asher will be able to attend the luncheon if his schedule is free at that time.  

As of October 31, 2025, the value of our scholarship fund stood at $92,025.  We are getting very close to $100,000 where we can consider raising our scholarship award to $1,500!

PARKING
Parking remains the same  - between. the Music Building and Ed/Psych buildings (Lot #32) with additional parking in the Lot #36.   If you are eligible to have a Virtual Permit and have not renewed your pass, contact the parking department by email (parking@sou.edu).  
 

ATHLETIC EVENTS:
SOU Athletics Scholarship Dinner, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Historic Ashland Armory.  Doors will open at 5:30 pm.  The evening will include silent and live auctions, a paddle ask and includes drinks and dinner from Beasy’s On The Creek.  Single tickets start at $125, a couple at $250, and a table of eight at $850.  If interested, email heikenb@sou.edu.

We are invited to the Ribbon Cutting at Laurel Park Softball Complex on February 28th at 10 am.  There will be an honorary first pitch at 11 am with SOU vs Eastern Oregon University.  It is at the corner of Wightman and Iowa Streets.  For additionall information, please call 541-552-6127.

INVITE A FRIEND
We encourage each one of you to invite a friend to the luncheon on Friday, February 20th.  If you know someone in your department who is close to retirement, extend an invitation to them as well. This is a great way to let people know of the existence of the Retirees Association.

Our last luncheon of the year will be on May 15, 2026, with President Bailey as our speaker.

We hope to see you Friday, February 20th.  Until then, take care, stay safe, and stay healthy.  

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Lee Ayers                      -ayersl@sou.edu
Ron Bolstad-                   bolstad@mind.net
Phil Campbell-                 philcampbell138@gmail.com
Bev De La Zerda-            zerda@centurylink.net
Ralph Fidler -                  ralphfidler@gmail.com
Sally Jones-                    sjones@sou.edu
Tom Pyle-                        amatom2@charter.net30