MONMOUTH – Fifth grade classes from Monmouth Elementary, Independence Elementary, Ash Creek and Henry Hill will visit Western Oregon University from April 7 through 10 and get a taste for the college experience as part of a Community Engagement project co-sponsored with the NCAA and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

The students will receive a pee chee with information about events on campus, a flyer about the importance of college and will get to tour WOU – visiting a residence hall room, the Jensen Arctic Museum, meet with an admissions counselor, have recess with WOU athletes and will eat lunch at Valsetz dining hall.

Associate Athletic Director Russ Blunck is glad that young children will have an opportunity to get a college experience early. "I think this is a project that works pretty well in both directions.  We are thrilled to have the connection with the elementary schools in our community, and I think for the students it is never too early to begin thinking about college.  We are looking forward to making this an annual endeavor with the area fifth graders."

Each day the classes arrive on campus at 9 a.m. and stay until the early afternoon. Monmouth Elementary visits on Tuesday, Henry Hill Elementary on Wednesday, Independence Elementary on Thursday and Ash Creek Elementary on Friday.

NCAA Division II schools all across the country are holding Community Engagement projects. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a voluntary organization through which the nation's colleges and universities govern their athletics programs. It is comprised of institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals committed to the education and athletics participation of student-athletes.

Caption: Independence Elementary fifth graders learn about the Arctic at Western Oregon University's Jensen Arctic Museum, the only solely Arctic museum in the Western United States.

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Contact:

Russ Blunck, Associate Athletic Director
503-838-8160 or blunckr@wou.edu

Steve Tillery, Independence Elementary Principal
503-606-2161