There are no specific characteristics that clearly define Eastern. To truly understand Eastern, you would need to embrace what we call, 'The Eastern Experience'. The Eastern Experience is a culmination of a shared educational philosophy, respect and appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us and a yearning to be part of an institution where individuals can and do make a difference.
If this sounds like a place for you, please read on about our people, campus, community and the region which we call home...
Just as important as our nationally recognized educational programs, Eastern is about its people. We promote a cohesive and team-oriented environment that focuses on providing the best education possible for our students while simultaneously providing a safe, rewarding and growth-oriented work environment for our employees.
"Easter is nationally recognized as a leading provider of distance education as well as being ranked number two nationally for Best Value for Public Colleges and Universities..."
Being an Eastern employee is a rewarding experience on so many levels. Enriching the minds and lives of our students is our founding philosophy here at Eastern and certainly one of the most rewarding aspects of working here. Each of us recognizes that the contributions we make today, will help shape the great minds and social contributors of tomorrow.
Eastern's employees come from a variety of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. We are the heart and soul of Eastern and work hard to maintain an environment that is friendly, rewarding and beneficial to all who come here.
Eastern's campus is recognized as one of the most beautiful in the country. Our grounds are pristine and welcoming with gracious greenways and crisscrossing paths. Lush foliage greets our students in the fall and as autumn progresses into winter, an explosion of colors emerge with a thin blanket of snow soon to follow. Spring comes in just a few short months and once again new growth emerges, outdoor concerts and barbeques begin and the cycle of a school year nears completion.
"Eastern takes pride in its responsibility to provide a rich learning experience for all those who wish to further their education and to foster stable economic growth for future generations..."
Theatrical productions, concerts, entertainers and guest lecturers from around the globe can be seen in Loso Hall and it's accompanying theaters. Just across the greenway is Badgley Hall, where you will find faculty and students performing cutting edge research in chemistry and biology.
Eastern takes pride in being a leader for the region in cultural diversity and rich scholastic endeavors. We are nationally recognized as a leading provider of distance education as well as being ranked number two nationally for "Best Value for Public Colleges and Universities"*.
Eastern is not only a rewarding place to work, it's the cultural and scholarly center of Northeastern Oregon. From art festivals and entertaining theater productions to cutting edge research, Eastern offers a bounty of entertainment and intellectual rewards.
When traveling through La Grande on any given weekend, you've got a pretty good chance of running into one of the many parades downtown. From Little League and home coming calibrations to wacky festivals like "Crazy Days", you'll find our residents thinking up a good excuse to bring the community together.
Our community is speckled with quaint coffee shops and family owned merchants. Many folks will tell you that our family-owned restaurants make the best burgers in the world! And yes, we still have an old fashioned drive-in where you can catch a movie on Friday or Saturday night. If fine dinning is more your flair, there are numerous family owned establishments in town and the outlying area. Our downtown merchants are friendly and many offer special discounts to EOU students and staff.
"Eastern is not only a rewarding place to work, it's the cultural and scholarly center of Northeastern Oregon..."
EOU is at the center of a natural resource rich environment consisting of ranchers, farmers, fisheries and forests. We serve as the hub of cultural diversity and educational opportunity for the region. Eastern takes pride in its responsibility to provide a rich learning experience for all those who wish to further their education and to foster stable economic growth for future generations.
Living Here:
Eastern Oregon is an exceptionally beautiful and special place. Those of us lucky enough to call this area home, have come here for reasons beyond simply our careers. We are surrounded by spectacular beauty including vast expanses of forests, high-deserts, lakes and streams and national wilderness. It would take literally years of weekend adventures to explore all that is offered in this most extraordinary place.
We are a region rich in natural resources and yet our most valuable resource remains its people. We at Eastern continue to expand our reach throughout the region and has taken a leading roll in promoting and stimulating cultural and economical diversity throughout the region.
History:
La Grande started as a resting place for weary travelers along the Oregon Trail. Even today remnants of the Oregon Trail quietly wonders along the edge of town and into the Blue Mountains. Gold was discovered in the 1800's and the rush was on! Settlers poured in from the east and while most eventually moved on, some stayed, raised their families and called this very unique area, home. Ghost towns from times past still speckle the area but the Oregon spirit still lives on. Once again, this region is on the move and Eastern is leading the way!
"We are surrounded by vast expanses of mountains, national wilderness, lakes, streams and even high-desert..."
Housing:
Some real estate markets have risen so sharply in recent years that affordable housing has become a mere memory. Yet in this region, housing costs and growth has been moderate and sustained. La Grande offers many affordable housing opportunities and most within walking distance of the university. If living outside of the city is your preference, there are numerous bedroom communities to call home such as Cove, Imbler, Elgin and North Powder, all within 30-minutes or less of campus.