College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

A Message from the Dean

Dean Scheck

Thank you for taking this moment to learn more about the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which to me is the heart of Western Oregon University. And what supplies the heartbeat? It's people like you, the talented students who visit this site or visit our campus, and who are drawn to Western. And it's the people who teach here, the great faculty who are mentors as well as professors.

Liberal Arts and Sciences is not just an academic college; it is a place of personal growth and intellectual challenge, as well as one of career preparation. Awaiting you is a broad array of choices to help you tailor your education to specific career goals. We have a multitude of degree programs from which to select both a major and a minor that will best prepare you for graduate and professional studies or for job placement in a competitive marketplace. Student organizations, internships, artistic productions, research opportunities with faculty, and study abroad opportunities linked to one's major are widely available, and they help foster learning in ways that are exciting and memorable while building one's resume for post-graduate opportunities.

Western takes great pride in being the gateway to higher education for students who are the first in their families to attend college -- students like I once was, with a dream of being able to hand my parents a college diploma. At Western, you will have faculty and staff that will help you reach that goal, who will know you by name, and who will assist you every step of the way on your journey to graduation. And for our full-time students, this can be accomplished in four years.

I invite you to peruse our site, or better yet, to come to our campus, walk about, talk to students and ask yourself: "Is this a place I can call home?" I asked myself that question before I came to Western to serve as the dean of the College, and I knew the answer right away. I am betting you will, too.

Stephen H. Scheck, Ph.D.
Dean

Contact

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 503-838-8226 | or e-mail: las@wou.edu