Strong Connection between Southern Oregon University and Crescent City

What do the five pictured individuals all have in common? All are graduates of Southern Oregon University.

During The Triplicate’s recent interview with Dennis Powers, the renowned author of 18 non-fiction books including The Raging Sea casually mentioned his long association as a Legal Law professor at Southern Oregon Uiversity in Ashland. During his presentation to the City Council on the 60th Anniversary of the 1964 flood disaster, Powers recognized some prominent faces among the Crescent City hierarchy. “ I’m simply amazed. Several took my Business Law, Internet Law and Corporate Law classes. All are graduates of SOU!” Powers cited a few not so old faces from his teaching days.

• Eric Wier: In the SOU engineering/OSU 3/2 engineering and physics program with degrees from both; Wier and wife Amber’s kids are 5th generation born and raised in Del Norte county.

• Amber Wier: Met Eric at SOU; Project Director for NorCal4 Health and member of Del Norte Child Care Center.

• Richard Griffin: Numerous recognition citations; played football for the SOU Raiders, was sworn in as Chief of Police in 2019 just after his 40th birthday, the youngest Chief in the history of Crescent City.

• Clinton Schaad; In his 4th term as the Auditor / Controller of Del Norte County.

• Cheyenne Schaad: Chief Financial Officer for the Del Norte Superior Court. The Schaad kids are outstanding wrestlers.

Let’s keep the Raider SOU Alumni Association busy. Any more Del Norters graduate from Southern Oregon University?