OSU student and model Laura Siewert practices a Latin dance with her dance partner Alex Galvan during rehearsal for OSU Dancing With the Stars. Date: April 26, 2011 (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Oregon State University will thump with the pulsing beat of the rumba and swing with the fast-pace of the paso doble on May 30, when Dancing with the OSU Stars returns to the LaSells Stewart Center.

The annual event pairs OSU students, faculty and staff with local ballroom dance professionals in a dance-off like no other. They’ll be competing for the coveted Mirror Ball trophy this year from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

This year’s OSU Stars and their dances are:

Ilene Kleinsorge-Dean of the College of Business: Waltz
Kevin Gatimu-African Students Association: Samba
Wenmin Wang-INTO: West Coast Swing
Luke Kawasaki-Former Queen of the Beaver, Pride Center: Paso Doble
Ann Asbell-Instructor/Director of PAC: Country 2-step
Lauren Greenlees-President of Kappa Kappa Gamma: Rumba
Jan Looking Wolf Reibach-Native American Flute Instructor: Foxtrot
Eric Alexander-Director of Student Leadership & Involvement: Charleston
Chelsea Buckland-Former Canadian Olympic Soccer, OSU Soccer: Cha Cha

Tickets will be sold at Women’s Building Room 007I or Langton Hall Room 123. They’ll also be available Monday-Friday in the Memorial Union Quad from May 20-30. They are $5 for students, $8 general admission. They’ll also be available at the door the night of the event.

This event is available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/489520944446855/?fref=ts

Skip Rochefort, Associate Professor in the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, has been chosen as OSU’s 2013 Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year.  The award, which was created to recognize outstanding, sustained faculty mentorship of undergraduate research and scholarship, was announced at the Celebrating Undergraduate Excellent Symposium, which was held on the Memorial Union Quad. Rochefort has had significant interactions with 80 OSU undergraduates over the past 15 years.  He takes an active role in recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups into STEM fields, in particular engineering.

Rochefort pioneered a mentoring pyramid model that starts with his own involvement and extends to post-docs, graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school students.  He founded the Summer Experience in Science and Engineering for Youth (SESEY) program in 1997 and this program has served over 600 high school students from groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering.  Rochefort also is one of the most active mentors in the Saturday Academy Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering Program, which provides an eight-week summer research experience for high school students.  He has personally mentored over 30 students in this program.

Undergraduate Researcher of the Year

Justin Biel is OSU’s first Undergraduate Researcher of the Year.  A senior honors student in biochemistry/biophysics, Biel has done research at OSU with Andy Karplus and Elisar Barbar.  He participated in the HHMI Summer undergraduate research program and plans a research career in biophysics.

Other students recognized as outstanding undergraduate researchers of their respective colleges include:

Alyssa Hersh – College of Public Health and Human Sciences

Alejandra Marquez-Loza – College of Agriculture

Hannah Mahoney – College of Liberal Arts

Jade Montgomery – College of Engineering

Trevor Waldien – CEOAS

River Wiedle – College of Science

Finalists for the awards for the respective colleges included

Elliott Jardin – College of Liberal Arts

Selina Liu – College of Science

Honorable Mentions included

Ann Bernart – College of Agriculture

Sara Fassio – College of Science

Nathan Hinkle – College of Engineering

Matt Kaiser – College of Science

Kimberly Melendez Rivera – BRR (interdisciplinary)

Afina Neunzert – College of Science

Olivia Paradis – Public Health and Human Sciences

Erin Peterson – College of Agriculture

Nini Tran – College of Science

Peter Wong – College of Science

Research Equipment Reserve Fund

The Research Office received 11 proposals for the Research Equipment Reserve Fund (RERF) Spring 2013 solicitation with requests totaling $381,311. After review and evaluation the Research Council provided the Research Office with a prioritized list of proposals recommended for funding. The Vice President for Research has approved 5 proposals for funding with combined budgets of $260,846.

The following proposals have been selected for funding:

• Kutzler, Michelle (Dept. of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Inverted Stage Fluorescence Microscope with Imaging”
• O’Malley, Kathleen (Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station/Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Replacement of an Imaging System Critical to Genetic Research”
• Schilke, Karl (School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering): “Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring (QCM-D)”
• Stieger-Vanegas, Susanne (Dept. of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine): “VLAXS Veterinary Large Animal X-Ray System”
• Wing, Michael (Dept. of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management, College of Forestry): “LiDAR Aerial System”

As a result of significant changes to our insurance structure, OSU will no longer cover the cost of repairs for damages caused to vehicles parked in the faculty/staff and student lots near Student Legacy Park, Goss Stadium, the Softball Complex, or Patrick Wayne Valley Stadium.  As a result, damage caused by fly/foul balls should be reported to private insurance carriers beginning June 1, 2013.

Lowering the number of claims will reduce the cost of insurance premiums for the university, and the policy will reflect industry standards both at other universities and at private sports arenas.

Signs identifying these parking areas as “park at your own risk” lots will be installed in the coming weeks.  ADA/handicap parking spaces are excluded from this new rule.

Additionally, beginning on July 1, 2013, internal OSU deductibles will be increasing across campus. Deductibles for property losses taking place on campus will increase to $5,000 (up from $2,500). Deductibles on liability losses will increase from a $0 deductible to $5,000. These increases apply to  all seven OUS universities, and are a result of the insurance premiums allocation model agreed upon by the universities.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policy changes, contact the Office of Risk Management at 541-737-7252.

Willi Unsoeld was an OSU faculty member when he scaled Everest.

Fifty years ago this spring, the first American mountaineers to scale the world’s tallest mountain accomplished that feat in a manner that still has the climbing world in awe today. The ascent of Mt. Everest by Willi Unsoeld and Tom Hornbein is considered one of the greatest climbing achievements in history.

Recreational Sports at OSU is holding a Willi Unsoeld Celebration Wednesday, May 22 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Adventure Leadership Institute Lounge (Dixon East Entry).

A graduate of Oregon State University, Unsoeld later served on the faculty of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Oregon State before taking a leave of absence to join the Peace Corps and embarking upon his historic trek.

It was a quest that would cost Unsoeld nine of his toes from frostbite, but cement his reputation as one of the country’s greatest climbers and give birth to a legacy of adventure-seeking that today still thrives at Oregon State University.

Josh Norris, director of the Adventure Leadership Institute for OSU’s Department of Recreational Sports, said that Unsoeld’s philosophy of life is as compelling to students today as tales of his climbing triumphs.

“When Willi was in his late 40s, he could out-climb just about anyone around even though he was missing almost all of his toes and had an artificial hip,” Norris said. “He was a strong personality and was most at home when he was in the outdoors, in touch with what he called ‘the sacred,’ or nature. His basic philosophy was that if you didn’t experience life to its fullest, you weren’t really living.”

That philosophy is what led to the Mt. Everest achievement. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to scale the world’s tallest peak in 1953, taking a southern route. In the subsequent decade, only one other successful climb took place, using that same route.

Ten years later, the National Geographic Society sponsored an ascent that resulted in dual attempts. Two American climbers would follow the southern route; Unsoeld and Hornbein opted to go for the western route, which was considered a near-impossible climb.

The difficulty of the route was not the only challenge; the climbers would have to carry all of their gear on their backs – no base camp, no porters, and no way back.

“They were totally going for broke,” said Norris, who has become a bit of a historian in researching OSU’s mountain climbing past. “They had no camp to retreat to, so they decided to traverse the peak. They had to make it to the top from the west and descend on a different route. That daredevil approach is why Willi joined the team – he didn’t want to try a route that someone else had already done.”

Scaling a 29,000-foot peak in the bitter cold, and carrying all of the necessary food, ropes, oxygen and other supplies on your back is almost beyond comprehension by today’s standards.

“Last year a group of climbers tried to recreate the Unsoeld-Hornbein climb,” Norris said, “and they did not succeed – even with modern equipment.”

After the successful ascent and summit on May 22, 1963, Unsoeld was hospitalized for weeks in Nepal. Oregon State president A.L. Strand sent a letter to faculty and staff seeking donations to help pay for his medical care; when he took leave from the university he lost his health insurance.

Eventually, Unsoeld returned to the United States and became a founding faculty member of Evergreen College in Washington. He died in 1979 at the age of 52, leading a group of Evergreen students on a climb of Mt. Rainier when he was buried in an avalanche.

Norris said that Unsoeld’s spirit has carried on at Oregon State. In 1988, OSU graduate Stacy Allison became the first American woman to scale Mt. Everest.

Today, the university’s Adventure Leadership Institute, which was founded in 1947 with undergraduate Unsoeld as a charter member, draws students to outdoor activities, Norris said. Some 9,500 annually participate in classes or outdoor activities, which include climbing, kayaking, hiking, cycling and other pursuits.

“It is more than just experiencing outdoor adventures,” Norris said, “the institute is about instilling the qualities of leadership and spirit that Willi Unsoeld personified.”

The OSU Adventure Club has some 200 dues-paying members who climb peaks throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Smith Rocks, Mount Rainier, The Three Sisters and others. Climbing walls in Dixon Recreation Center draw some 28,000 visits a year.

Such activities are a draw for students, who are seeking meaningful experiences in college to supplement their classroom learning, Norris said.

“We have one 18-year-old freshman from the East Coast who came to OSU specifically because of the Adventure Leadership Institute,” he said. “Her latest goal is to climb Mount Jefferson in the winter, and at the same time, develop her leadership skills.

“That kind of spirit in students today would make Willi proud.”

~ Mark Floyd

OSU Dean of Students Mamta Accapadi has taken a job at Rollins College in Florida. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Dean of Students Mamta Accapadi has been named vice president of student services at Rollins College in Florida. She will begin her new job in August.

“OSU is such a special community.  Over the past four years, I have cherished serving our community in ways that make our campus a more caring and welcoming place for students,” Accapadi said. “To be a part of the student affairs collective, and the broader Beaver Nation has been a gift.  I only hope I can take what I have learned here at OSU and serve others in the same way.”

Accapadi came to Oregon State University in March 2009 from a position at University of Texas, Austin. The Texas native arrived with her husband Jos, who also took a position at OSU, and their then 9-month-old daughter, Saaya.

During her stay at OSU, Accapadi became engaged with students on many levels. Her freshman introductory course on Harry Potter, “Finding Your Patronus” drew national media attention for its unique take on teaching students how to deal with a range of professorial personalities.

Accapadi also led an interfaith and service initiative on campus that focused on interreligious communication and domestic poverty, as part of President Obama’s “Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge” in 2011.

In fall 2011, Accapadi, her husband and daughter participated in the Semester at Sea program. She was named Dean of Students for the trip, and traveled around the world aboard ship with 500 undergraduate and graduate students, spending 110 days visiting 10 different countries. Her meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu was one of the highlights of the trip. You can read about her journey here: http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/accapadisatsea/  

Vice Provost for Student Affairs Larry Roper has worked closely with Accapadi during her time at OSU.

“It’s a great recognition to her to have the opportunity to be come a vice president for student services,” Roper said. “She’ll perform marvelously.”

~ Theresa Hogue

The new Eena Haws Longhouse at OSU is a beautiful new home for Native students. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Native American students, staff and faculty at Oregon State University have a new home-away-from home, the new Native American Longhouse, Eena Haws, (Beaver House in Chinook jargon) nestled in a grove of trees in the heart of campus. The grand opening of the new Longhouse will take place Friday, May 17, at 4 p.m. The new building is just south of the former Longhouse, which is located at the corner of Jefferson Way and 26^th Street.

The new Longhouse was designed by Jones & Jones, a Seattle architectural firm. It reflects the shape and style of a traditional Oregon Coast longhouse while respecting the multiple tribal cultures represented at OSU. It was designed and developed in collaboration with OSU Native students, who gave input and had decision-making roles throughout the entire process.

“They’re radically different designs,” than any other buildings on campus, said project manager Larrie Easterly, who is with OSU campus operations. “They are rooted in the cultures of our students.”

Huge Douglas fir beams and columns and large windows bring the outdoors inside, and artistic aspects, such as the metal beam ornaments and door artwork, reflect designs from Pacific Northwest tribes. The exterior landscaping features native plants and a thick stand of established trees that screen the south of the building from nearby structures, making it feel almost hidden in the forest.

The Longhouse is the first of four new cultural centers Jones & Jones have designed for the campus, all replacing older structures that have outlived their usefulness. The 3,700-square-foot center includes a gathering hall for up to 200 people, multi-purpose spaces for studying, relaxing and student counseling, a kitchen, lactation space, computer labs and an administrative office. A special sacred space was also built for meditation and other activities.

Additionally, the location of the former Longhouse is being transformed into an outdoor honoring circle and garden for Native visitors, including donors and alumni.

Mariah Huhndorf, an Alaska native of Athabaskan and Yupik descent, works at the Longhouse as her siblings did before her. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

For Mariah Huhndorf, an Alaska native of Athabaskan and Yupik descent, working at the Longhouse was a family tradition. Her older brother and sister worked at the center, and when she came to campus she was quickly welcomed into the community. The Longhouse was where she met her best friend, and where she had a chance to develop leadership skills and take on new responsibilities. It’s also where she learned to appreciate the ways in which her Native background made her unique.

“People were interested in my culture and it made me more proud to be able to share it with others,” she said.

Victoria Nguyen, director of Diversity Development at OSU, said the building of new cultural centers on campus demonstrates the dedication the campus has to supporting students of color.

“Diversity is a core initiative for OSU,” Nguyen said, “and in a time of budget constraints where some diversity program (on other campuses) are being eliminated, we’re stating that we’re investing in diversity, and telling our community how important that is.”

For Nguyen, the Longhouse and the three other cultural centers offer a place where students can not only bond over shared experiences and backgrounds, but where other students can learn and gain perspective about different cultures and ways of living.

“These buildings act as a catalyst to perpetuate learning outside of the classroom,” Nguyen said. “This is a safe place for people to ask questions. It serves as a springboard to learn about other cultures.”

This 360-degree totem is a unique art piece donated to the Longhouse. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

The Longhouse has been decorated with donated artwork from Pacific Northwest Native artists, including the centerpiece, a one-of-a-kind, 360-degree totem created by master carver Clarence Mills of Vancouver, B.C., and two assistant carvers. Mills is a member of the Haida Nation, an indigenous people located in Canada and Alaska. The work was commissioned by Oregon State University alumni Luana (’72) and Jim Whyte (’70, MS ’72), who reside in Vancouver, B.C., and have a long-standing admiration for Native American artwork. There are 13 different creatures on the pole, including a bear, a hummingbird, a frog, and of course, a beaver. (For a full story on the totem: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/lifeatosu/2012/800-year-old-fallen-cedar-tree-transformed-into-totem-pole-for-osu-longhouse/)

The original longhouse opened in 1972, in a World War II-era Quonset hut to the south of the Memorial Union. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/osuarchives/6327222541/) Linc Kesler, who is now Director of the University of British Columbia First Nations House of Learning and Senior Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Affairs. came to OSU in the 1983 to teach early modern literature and linguistics. As the son of an Oglala-Lakota woman from South Dakota, the topic of race in general, and Native Americans in education, specifically, has always been important to Kesler. When he arrived at OSU, the Educational Opportunities Program was the only official source of support for Native students.

Kesler began working with others on campus to form the first Indian Education Office, as it was called at the time. He worked with Cassandra Manuelito-Kervliet of EOP, as well as the Oregon Indian Coalition for Post-Secondary Education. It took three years to get the idea off the ground.

“There was quite a bit of resistance, especially about committing resources, but also some support,” Kesler said. “Once it was in place, it was well supported, especially given the really great work of Cassandra as first director.”

Kesler said the success of the Indian Education Office not only benefited Native students, but led the way to other strides for diversity on campus, including other cultural centers and the eventual creation of the Ethnic Studies department, which Kesler was also involved in. It also led to a closer working relationship between Native students and other students of color.

A carved beaver is one of the many pieces of art decorating the Longhouse. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

“One very positive result that happened in this time was that some discord among Indian student groups was resolved,” he said. “A bit later, when the fate of the four cultural centers seemed in doubt, students further developed working relationships with others that were very productive.”

Kesler said that although the situation for OSU Native students has improved dramatically since he first arrived at the university, there is always more to be done.

“There is still a lot to do,” he said, “and I do think that continuous attention and work will be necessary for the foreseeable future to make further progress and to retain the gains that have been made.”

Tyler Hogan is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and grew up in Junction City. While he was able to participate in some Native youth events during high school, his real awakening to his cultural heritage and to Native activism came when he arrived at Oregon State.

“My identity development has taken place within the walls of this Longhouse,” he said. “I realized how diverse the identity of being a Native American can be. There are so many different tribes and cultures, but people want to lump it into one group.”

Hogan, who is the external coordinator for the Longhouse in addition to many other forms of student activism on campus, said that’s the Longhouse’s biggest challenge, bringing together Native students of extremely diverse backgrounds, who all have different ideas of what being ‘Native’ means.

“It’s a difficulty we face,” he said. “We take it day by day. Every new person is a new learning opportunity.”

Daniel Cardenas is a graduate teaching assistant working with the Longhouse staff. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Daniel Cardenas, a graduate teaching assistant working with the Longhouse staff, said the new Longhouse provides a home away from home for students, and a sense of community that helps them as students and individuals.

“In order for someone to the considered a truly healthy person you have to be living in wellness. You have to have a great sense of self and determination,” Cardenas said. “For some of our Native students, the deck is stacked against them. Here at the Longhouse we’re able to cover many forms of wellness (spiritual, social, etc). That has a long term benefit to OSU in terms of student retention.”

Nguyen agreed.

“We have students provide testimony that says if not for the cultural centers I would not have had as full or rich an experience,” Nguyen said. “Students are choosing OSU because of our cultural centers and because they can find a place where they can make a connection with other students who share their culture.”

In addition to the opening ceremony, there will be several other events taking place that week on campus. During the weekend, May 18-19, the annual OSU Klatow Eena (Go Beavers) Powwow takes place in McAlexander Fieldhouse.

~ Theresa Hogue

A new documentary featuring a group of OSU engineering students in Kenya is now available on the web. (photo: Justin Smith)

Community members of Lela, Kenya, spent hours every day fetching water, which was so contaminated it often sickened young children. Now, thanks to a partnership with Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA) and its Oregon State University chapter (EWB-OSU), the 2,000 residents of the remote, rural community can access safe water.

A team of five Oregon State students, plus a technical mentor, traveled in July 2012 to the Kenyan village near Lake Victoria. The team oversaw drilling of a well and construction of a rainwater catchment system, culminating three years of work and planning.

The mission of EWB-OSU is to work with developing communities around the world to provide basic human needs, said Nicholas Kusanto, a chemical engineering student and current president of the group.

“At the same time, ” Kusanto said, “we strive to promote an environment for our members to use the skills they learn in the classroom to gain experiences, build résumés, and feel as if they can make an impact on the world.”

The project was such a success that the team has been invited to return this June to drill a second well. The partnership is slated to continue through 2014.

In 2008, Lela submitted an application to EWB-USA for help developing a sustainable source of potable water. EWB-OSU adopted the project the following year. After two assessment trips to Lela to conduct a community health survey, technical water source assessment, and GPS mapping, the team determined that the best implementation options were to drill a community well fitted with an Afridev hand pump, which can pump water from 100 meters below the surface, and to construct a rainwater catchment system at the village’s primary school.

The OSU team spearheaded fundraisers and sought grants to realize its goals. Emirates Airline donated airplane tickets. The team’s mentor, Jeff Randall, a retired groundwater hydrologist at CH2M HILL, volunteered his experience and expertise.

“We owe a great deal to our donors, the Corvallis community, and OSU,” said Zachary Dunn, project coordinator and public policy graduate student. “We are thrilled with the way it turned out.”

Students from all engineering disciplines, as well as other departments, are encouraged to take part in the efforts of EWB-OSU. The Kenya Project team members agreed that a wide skill set came in handy, especially as the team encountered challenges.  For example, civil engineering student Jessy Cawly, was able to bring more to bear than just engineering know-how.   As a speaker of Swahili, she was able to speak to those in the community who did not speak English, typically older women.

“Trips like these require defined responsibilities yet flexible roles,” said Jordan Machtelinckx, a civil engineering student on the team. “Working in developing communities, and eastern Africa in particular, always has unexpected challenges. The main one was scheduling according to ‘Africa time’ because we were obviously on a time crunch. This created some unexpected and unfamiliar stress for our team to work through.”

Despite delays in the arrival of materials and equipment, including the drilling rig, the team was able to complete the project on time. “One of the bigger challenges the team faced was getting used to a pit latrine that was home to several bats, which the team eventually termed the ‘bat cave,’” said Dunn.

The team members found themselves comfortable yet cozy living in a small stick and mud hut, with mosquito nets to hang above their mattresses.  Despite having to adjust to conditions, students were embraced by the people, who reached out to invite them into their homes for lunch or dinner.

“We learned a new meaning of generosity and welcome,” said Machtelinckx. “Even though many of us may have joined EWB because we liked the idea of drilling a well or constructing a catchment, we stay involved because we know we now have family in Lela.”

“The best moments from the trip were when we hit water during drilling, and when the entire community threw us a going away party before we left,” Dunn added. “They are much better dancers than us, but we gave it our best.”

The university created a video documentary about the endeavor titled “Kel Wer,” which means “to bring song” in the local Dholuo language. The film has been screened in Portland and Corvallis.

“I saw the opportunity to tell a compelling story about our engineering students applying what they’ve learned toward the common good via the documentary film format,” said Thuy Tran, director of marketing communications for the College of Engineering.

Documentary film maker Justin Smith and two new friends. (contributed photo)

Justin Smith, Oregon State’s multimedia production manager, traveled with the team to document their efforts.

Smith encountered his own logistical challenges in Lela.  “Shooting in a remote location has endless challenges [such as heat, bugs, and limited power],” he said, “but ultimately it became very motivating to reflect on the fact that I had an opportunity to tell this story.”

Before traveling to Kenya, Smith envisioned shooting a climactic scene of a well gushing with water, similar to an oil well.  “It wasn’t exactly how I imagined it,” Smith said. “The water just kind of dribbled out. And I thought, ‘Wow, that’s it?’”

The documentary evolved over the time he spent in Kenya.   The story wasn’t just about drilling a well. “I realized,” Smith said, “that the story was primarily about the people—what they were about, and what this meant to them, and what it meant to the team.”

“Kel Wer” has been released online at http://poweredbyorange.com/kelwer/.

Nicole Phelps (head of table) gained confidence in her abilities after successfully pitching a startup idea and leading a group of 11 people to develop a proof of concept for DownTheLine at the Portland Startup Weekend. (Photo by WeThinkItMatters.)

In one crazy weekend — 54 hours to be exact — 11 new startup businesses were developed.

Three Oregon State computer science students sacrificed sleep to test their entrepreneurial skills at the Portland Startup Weekend on April 26-28. One student had her idea selected for further development, and two students were part of the overall winning team.

The weekend started with 47 ideas for a startup, pitched by participants. After the votes were in, the top 11 moved on to form teams composed of hackers (software developers), hustlers (business and marketing experts), and hipsters (user experience and graphic designers).

Just a week before the event, Nicole Phelps, a junior, decided to pitch a business idea at her first startup weekend. She proposed a mobile application that would help individuals plan their future. Users organize goals on a timeline and use crowd-sourced comments for gathering wisdom about how to reach their objectives.

“I thought I had a slim chance at getting my idea picked since most of the pitches were serious ideas that people had been working on for two months to two years before this event,” Phelps says.

To her surprise, she got the third highest votes. Then the race was on. Participants chose the projects they wanted to work on and Phelps ended up with a team of 11 people to develop a proof of concept and a final pitch for the team’s app, DownTheLine, by Sunday.

Meanwhile, seniors, Charles Catino and Quintin Cummins both chose to join the LivFly team. Catino said he liked the simple and solid idea of creating an app to match running partners based on where they live and how fast and far they run.

“This was my third startup weekend and each time I have learned something a little different,” Cummins says. “It is a lot of fun to see the project I worked on, LivFly, shape and transform throughout the weekend but also to see the development of all the other ideas that were pitched.”

Although it’s a lot of hard work, the effort paid off for the LivFlyteam who took top honors at the event as the overall winner.

But winning is clearly not why the students attend startup weekends.

“These events are fantastic for networking and exploring the creativity of the business world. Startup weekends are also an excellent opportunity to improve my team skills because you have no idea going into the weekend who or what kind of people you will be working with,” Catino says.

Phelps says although she was disappointed she did not win, the experience of learning and networking was more important and far exceeded what she expected.

“I have much more confidence in my abilities now because of what I accomplished. And I see now it does not matter how old you are or what gender you are, because I am 22 years old, female, still in school, and I led a team of 11 people (all male, except one) at least 10 years older than I am,” she says.

~ Rachel Robertson

A Joint Service Review was held at OSU May 3.

The Navy/Marine, Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Programs (ROTC) at Oregon State University completed the annual Joint Service Review on May 3. A long-standing tradition, this event allows cadets and midshipmen to participate in a formal review before commissioning as officers in the various military services. The annual Joint Service Review at OSU is a formal military parade that dates back as far as 1918, when the state governor reviewed soon to be officers during World War I.

This year, the ceremony was conducted at the Memorial Union Quad and organized by the Naval ROTC unit. The event began at 11 a.m. with a parade across the quad. At the close of the event, all units participated in a “Pass-in-Review” ceremony. Traditionally, this involves units that are getting ready to deploy which pass by a high-ranking officer and are reviewed. The reviewing officer for this year’s ceremony was the Naval ROTC Commanding Officer, Captain Wood. The guest speaker was the mayor of Corvallis, Julie Manning. A reception was held following the parade.

The three women who will be honored with the Women of Achievement awards impressed the committee for having gone above and beyond in their commitment to equity and success of OSU students and women in the greater community.

They have a demonstrated commitment to equality, and dedication to furthering the lives of women, especially those of OSU students, are engaged in work that has positively affected the lives of women, and have served as a role model in the lives of girls and/or women.

The OSU Women’s Center Student Leader awardees are Maria Nguyen, Julie Stewart, Britton Goodale and Elba Moise.

The four students who will be honored with the Student Leader awards, stood out among more than 40 other nominations for their outstanding contributions of scholarship, leadership, and service in their lives including their time at OSU.

They excelled in course work, contributed to their field through research or published works, have taken on leadership roles in clubs or organizations and are trusted and dependable student workers in labs, departments, or elected offices.

Parcella Provence, who will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement award, will be honored for her consistent commitment and dedication to ideals of OSU and empowerment of its community member. Parcella will be retiring from OSU this year. She served OSU in various positions including as a staff member at the Women’s Center and later on its Advisory Board as a member and co-chair. 

For more information: womenscenter@oregonstate.edu

Child care costs are increasing, and some OSU faculty and staff need help covering the cost.

When Kelly Chapman’s children were young, she had a serious financial dilemma. Her ex-husband was on disability, limiting his ability to provide any financial support. Her income as an office specialist at Oregon State University was being stretched thin, and as a full-time employee, she also needed child care for her children. She wasn’t sure she could juggle her house payment, food, and child care costs.

“You know how hard it is as (an adult) to ask for money from your dad?” Chapman said.

But luckily for Chapman, whose children were enrolled at Beaver Beginnings on campus, the director told her about a child care subsidy through OSU that she could apply for. The OSU Child Care Center Program Fund dispersed its first subsidy in 1998  to assist OSU faculty and staff with a demonstrated need for assistance in paying for their child care costs.

The subsidy is paid for from the quarterly earnings of a small endowment established at the OSU Foundation. During the first few years of the subsidy, only a few people knew about, and applied for, the subsidy. But now, as the economy has shifted, the demand for the subsidy is increasing, and the number of families needing assistance is also increasing.

Amy Luhn, director of the Office of Childcare and Family Resources, helps select recipients from the pool of applicants, and is also in charge of leading fundraising efforts, along with the Child Care Friend-Raisers Committee, which is made up of current and retired faculty and staff.

“We need to grow the working account,” Luhn said, so that more money will be immediately available to distribute to parents in need.

This year, 15 families applied to receive subsidies. Of those applicants, six were selected, all of whom were paying more than 15 percent of their annual income on child care, some up to 22 percent.

Originally, subsidies were only available for child care centers affiliated with OSU. But Luhn was able to expand that to include licensed family child care providers as well. She pointed out that in-home child care fees are often less than centers, and when a staff member is having to pay up to 25 percent of their take-home pay for child care, every bit counts. Excluding those who use in-home care meant some of the most in-need parents were unable to apply for a subsidy.

While some faculty have applied for and received subsidies, a majority of the recipients are staff, who typically have a lower salary range.

“And as we’re looking at expanding the university, we’re going to need more staff to support the infrastructure,” Luhn said, and that means demand for subsidies is also likely to increase. Additionally, post docs, who aren’t eligible to receive student fee-based assistance for child care, are eligible for the subsidy.

The subsidy has typically provided between $1000 and $1200 for the school year to recipients, which spread out over four terms (including summer) can make a big difference. Child care “Is like a second house payment,” Chapman said. And having to pay a few hundred dollars less a month means that parents can use that savings for other costs. OSU Sea Grant administrative program specialist Eric Dickey said, “That’s another couple of bags of groceries at the end of the month.

Dickey is not only a former recipient of the subsidy, he’s also a member of the Child Care Friend-Raisers Committee. He and Luhn want to expand the membership of the committee, which has been shrinking in recent years. They’re hoping that faculty and staff who are dedicated to supporting working parents will come forward with their ideas and their enthusiasm to help move the committee forward as they come up with creative ideas to help raise more money for the subsidy.

When his children were younger, the subsidy helped Dickey to balance his finances so that he could get help for one of his children, who had a sensory disorder.  And it made balancing his work and home life a little easier.

“It allowed my wife and me to maintain our work and professional commitments knowing our children were being taken care of in a licensed, safe and dependable childcare center,” Dickey said.

Current faculty and staff can make donations to the fund directly or via payroll deduction. A monthly donation helps distribute contributions evenly throughout the year, lessening the immediate impact for the donor, while providing the fund with a steady and reliable income stream. Visit campaignforosu.org/facultygiving to obtain the form or make a gift.

To join the Child Care Friend-Raisers Committee, contact Amy Luhn at amy.luhn@oregonstate.edu

Janet Webster

OLA Distinguished Service Award

The Oregon Library Association has awarded Janet Webster, Hatfield Marine Science Center Head Librarian, the 2013 OLA Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to an Oregon librarian or library staff member for exceptional service over many years. Webster is being recognized for her decades of outstanding leadership in a wide array of community and library organizations.

She has been a particularly effective advocate for federal, state and local policy and legislation which allows libraries to better serve  their communities. The OLA awards are announced each year at the association’s annual conference (held this year as a joint conference with the Washington Library Association). OLA is the state association of library professionals comprised of 1200 members pursuing a mission to promote and to advance library service through public and professional education and cooperation.

OSU Retirement Association (OSURA) Awards 5 Scholarships for 2013-4

At OSURA’s Annual Meeting and Members Social on May 8, five undergrads were awarded $1,000 scholarships to support careers improving healthy aging: Michael Boyd, Pre-Pharmacy; Deepthika Ennamuri, Biochemistry/Biophysics; Claire Ostertag-Hill, Biology; David Shumway, Biology, and Kaitlyn Traynor, General Science (Pre dentistry). For more information, visit osura@oregonstate.edu

General Research Fund (GRF) Spring 2013 Award Announcement

After review and evaluation the Faculty Senate Research Council provided the Research Office with a prioritized list of proposals. The Vice President for Research has approved funding for the following six proposals.

Alcantar, Benjamin (Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine): “Comparing Immunological Strategies and Life Spans in Diverse Ungulate Species”

Jander, Albrecht (School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering): “Advanced Spin-Caloritronic Materials for Thermo-Electric Energy Scavenging”

Mustacich, Debbie (Linus Pauling Institute): “Role of Atypical Deoxy-Sphingoid Bases in Secondary Spinal Cord Injury”

Sagili, Ramesh (Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Understanding Colony Level Prevalence and Intensity of Honey Bee Gut Parasite (Nosema ceranae) and Investigating effects of Colony Nutrition on Persistence of Nosema in Honey Bee Colonies”

Sikora, Aleksandra (Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy): “Evaluation of the Conserved Proteins in the Cell Envelope and Membrane Vesicles of Neisseria gonorrhoeae as Putative Vaccine Candidates”

Silveira, Jason (Dept. of Music, College of Liberal Arts): “Physiological Responses to Music Performance Stimuli”

Faculty Release Time

The Research Office received three proposals for the Faculty Release Time (FRT) Spring 2012-13 solicitation with requests totaling $16,000. After review and evaluation the Vice President for Research has approved the three proposals for funding.

The following proposals have been selected for funding:

·       Bobe, Gerd (Dept. of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Dietary Dry Beans for Obesity Prevention and Treatment”

·       Lopez-Cevallos, Daniel (School of Language, Culture, and Society, College of Liberal Arts): “Visual Health among Farmworkers in Oregon”

·       Pollard, Christine (Dept. of Exercise and Sport Science, OSU-Cascades): “Lower Extremity Mechanics following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Implications for Modified Rehabilitation Protocols and Return to Activity Criteria”

Barometer awards

The Daily Barometer reporter Grady Garrett was recognized with a Pacific Northwest regional first-place award for sports column writing in this year’s Society of Professional Journalism Mark of Excellence contest. His work will go on to be judged nationally alongside winners from 11 other regions.  SPJ’s Pacific Northwest, region 10 includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Daily Barometer was honored in the regional contest with a third-place award for best large-circulation daily student newspaper. Other awards went to Don Iler for general column writing and news reporting (second place) and to Neil Abrew for photo illustration (third place).

A visitor to last year’s Pet Day. (photo: Lee Sherman)

Oregon State University will be jam-packed this weekend with events and opportunities. Mom’s Weekend and Pet Day will both offer fun and games for the whole family, while an international Spring festival and several baseball games will round out the weekend.

Starting Friday, May 3, Mom’s Weekend will bring thousands of moms and millions of dollars to Corvallis as proud mamas visit their OSU students for the weekend. Beginning in 1924 as an unofficial visitation day for mothers, the event is now one of the biggest weekends for the Memorial Union Program Council.

This year’s events include the usual comedy show, fashion show and art show. Massages and photos will be offered as well. MUPC has partnered for the first time this year with the Asian and Pacific Cultural Center to host a tea for mothers and their students. The annual International Students of OSU Spring Festival coincides with Mom’s Weekend and takes place from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 5 in the MU Quad.

The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine will open its doors this weekend for tours, displays and a number of family-oriented events during the 26th annual Pet Day.

Visitors are invited to bring their pets (on a leash, of course) to the event, which is organized and staffed by veterinary students.

Pet Day is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Magruder Hall, 700 S.W. 30th St. Admittance and most events are free, with a small charge for some events.

New this year will be a cow pie-throwing contest, dog nail trims and massages, a pet costume contest (all pet species welcome), and many new rescue groups with adoptable pets. Benny Beaver also is expected to make an appearance.

Other attractions of Pet Day include dog agility demonstrations, live reptiles, a petting zoo, tours of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, anatomy displays, a dog Frisbee show and a cat photo contest.

Additionally, OSU baseball will be playing against Berkeley at 5:35 p.m., May 3, 2:05 p.m., May 4, and 12:05 p.m., May 5, in Goss Stadium. Tickets available for purchase through OSU Athletics http://beavertickets.com/single-games/baseball/ or at 1-800-GO-BEAVS.

Former OSU President Roy A. Young (OSU Archives)

Former president of Oregon State University Roy Alton Young passed away on April 19, 2013, in Corvallis following a lengthy illness. He was 92.

Roy, who served as acting president of OSU in 1969-70, was a faculty member and administrator at the university from 1948 to 1976, and returned to the university in 1986, where he served as director of the Office of Natural Resources Policy until 1990.

Young also served as a faculty member and administrator at the University of Nebraska (1976-1980), and Cornell University (1980-1986).

Roy Arnold, former Dean of Agricultural Sciences and former Provost at Oregon State University, first met Young when he became Chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“I was a faculty member and department head at that time.  I had occasion to interact with him through some university committee work,” Arnold recalled. “He took a personal interest in me, and provided some useful career advice.”

The two connected again when Arnold came to OSU in 1987.

“In addition to his outstanding accomplishments as a scientist and his competence as an academic administrator and leader,” Arnold said, “Roy was always a true gentleman in his interactions with others.”

Young was born March 1, 1921 in McAlister, N.M. He obtained an Associate of Arts degree from Eastern New Mexico Junior College in 1939, a B.S. in Biology from New Mexico State University in 1941, and an M.S. in Plant Pathology from Iowa State University in 1942. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy serving as a deck officer, navigator, anti-submarine warfare, and Executive Officer in the Atlantic and Pacific areas of operation from 1942 to 1946. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1946 to 1954 and was promoted to the rank of Lt. Commander. Following his military service, he returned to Iowa State University and completed requirements for the Ph.D. in Plant Pathology in 1948.

Young came to Oregon State University in 1948 as an Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology. He taught graduate courses on bacterial diseases of plants and plant disease control. Principal research efforts were on diseases of ornamentals and potatoes with emphasis on soil borne diseases and on fungicide research. He served as head of the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology from 1958 until 1966, when he was appointed Dean of Research with campus-wide responsibility for research coordination.

Following the resignation of President James Jensen to become vice rector of Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Young served as Acting President of OSU from June 1969 until July 1970, during a time when student demonstrations were common across the nation. Described in the 1970 Beaver as “renowned, persuasive, and respected”, Young dealt sensitively with issues of student unrest by turning “dissent into constructive activity”. When classes were canceled for one day in May 1970 following the Kent State shootings, more than 40 discussion groups involving faculty, ROTC representatives, student leaders, and activists were held. Young’s decision to cancel classes and focus on discussions may have prevented larger demonstrations on the OSU campus.

Roy Young, former OSU professor and administrator.

Young was named the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies from 1970 to 1976. Young received Oregon State’s highest honor in 1985, the Distinguished Service Award. The award citation described him as one of the outstanding leaders in the history of OSU, and as a scholar, gentleman, and man of great talent and integrity who helped build the campus to national prominence and as a prime mover in the designation of OSU as one of four Sea Grant Centers in the United States, the growth of research and scientific programs, and securing of facilities.

Young served as chancellor of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln from 1976 – 1980. He led efforts at UNL to increase the quality standards for student admissions and enhancement of the teaching and research programs of the campus. Young departed UNL to accept the post of president and managing director of the prestigious Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research in Ithaca, New York, where he served from 1980 – 1986.

He published extensively and was a member of numerous advisory and study committees of the National Academy of Sciences, National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He served as president of the Pacific Divisions of the American Phytopathological Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and was active in national energy and environmental programs. He also served on the executive committee of the National Governors’ Council on Science and Technology. Young was a member of the Rockefeller Foundation panel on postdoctoral fellowships in environmental sciences and he held various leadership positions in the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges.

He received the Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from New Mexico State University in 1978. Young and his wife, Marilyn, received the 2004 Dan Poling Service Award from OSU. He was a member of Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Sigma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Rotary.

Young is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn, and their two children, Janet of Merced, California, and Randall of Portland.

Dawn Wright

Esri’s chief scientist, Dawn J. Wright has received the Distinguished Teaching Honors of the Association of American Geographers (AAG), the highest award offered by the association. Esri provides more than 7,000 universities worldwide with GIS software for teaching and research.
AAG honors for 2013 were conferred on Wright April 13 at the AAG Annual Meeting in Los Angeles during a special awards luncheon. This is the second time in the past year that AAG has recognized Wright’s contributions to science and education. She also received the organization’s Presidential Achievement Award for making long-standing and distinguished contributions to the discipline of geography.
“AAG has been a force in advancing geographic science,” Wright. said “I am inspired by my fellow professors who are using geographic technologies in the classroom to help students understand the world’s diverse cultures, environments, and challenges. These educators are laying the foundation for the next generation to design plans for a more balanced, harmonious planet.”

While serving as Esri’s chief scientist, Wright retains her position as professor of geosciences at Oregon State University. She views herself as a scientist working within and between the areas of geographic information science, marine science, and ocean informatics. She is a leader in her outreach to a larger community, including her interactions with schoolchildren and her interest in encouraging more young women to pursue careers in science. Wright’s professional seagoing experience is remarkable and affords her the opportunity to bring firsthand experience into the classroom, a critical element of successful teaching.

Barth named Fellow by Oceanography Society

Mark Abbott (left) presents the 2013 TOS Fellow citation to Jack Barth. Dean Abbott is President of The Oceanography Society.

Jack Barth was named 2013 Fellow by The Oceanography Society. He is recognized for his contributions and sustained leadership in all aspects of continental shelf oceanography, and for his commitment to community service. The TOS Fellow award recognizes individuals who have attained eminence in oceanography through their outstanding contributions to the field of oceanography or its applications during a substantial period of years.

Barth is Professor of Physical Oceanography and Associate Dean for Research at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. He will be formally recognized during the Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 23–28, 2014 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

On April 26, Oregon State University celebrated Arbor Day and Earth Week with a tree planting on the Library Quad. One hundred years ago the class of 1913 planted the majestic elm trees that line the Library Quad. Facilities staff planted the new elm on the west side of the quad. Date: April 26 2013 (photo: Theresa Hogue)

To celebrate Arbor Day and commemorate Earth Week at Oregon State University, students and staff gathered on the west side of the Library Quad April 26 to plant an elm tree. One hundred years ago the Class of 1913 planted the elm trees that still line the quad. Now, Joe Majeski with OSU Facilities Services told the assembled crowd, the new tree can grace the quad for another 100 years.

Majeski said because of careful monitoring, and the culling of any trees with symptoms of the devastating Dutch Elm disease, OSU has one of the biggest collections of elms around.

The new tree replaces a magnolia that had been planted in the spot but wasn’t suited to the location. The magnolia was removed to another campus location and the elm will quickly grow to fill in the vacant space, within sight of its century-old cousins.

Christina Flynn with UABC.

Christina Flynn with the University Administration Business Center has been recognized as the Professional Faculty Leadership Association’s April 2013 ‘Our Hero.’

Flynn was surprised with the award during a meeting on April 25. Her nominees cited her willingness to go above and beyond in providing accurate answers and for her assistance with hiring and recruiting.

“Your friendliness and can-do attitude is appreciated,” her nominator wrote. “You genuinely care about your customers and your colleagues and it is reflected in your prompt responses to questions and with your follow-up on where a request is in the process. You are patient and dedicated to the work that you provide to the departments and to the OSU community.”

Flynn received a certificate and a flowering plant.

Kerry Thomas has been selected as a 2013 Certificate of Merit recipient in the Primary Advising category

Kevin Ahern has been selected as the recipient of the NACADA 2013 Outstanding Faculty Advising Award.

Lastly, Susie Brubaker-Cole was nominated by Brett McFarland  for the Michael C. Holen Pacesetter Award.  The Michael C. Holen Pacesetter Award recognizes Executive Officers, Provosts and Academic or Student Affairs Officers who exemplify a commitment to academic advising and are true advocates for advising, students, and advisors across the institution. Competition for this award is very strong, so while we as a community know how deserving she is of this award, it is even more exciting to know that NACADA also recognizes her outstanding service to OSU and has honored her with the award.

College of Business seniors Josh Gilardi and Kayla Pearce were present at the construction launch of the new Austin Hall, which will be the college’s new home. (photo: Chris Hagan)

On Friday, Oregon State University celebrated the construction launch of Austin Hall, the new home for the university’s College of Business, with donors, alumni, faculty, staff and the entire campus community. In her opening remarks, Dean and Sara Hart Kimball chair Ilene Kleinsorge quickly got the crowd’s attention with the announcement that the original fundraising goal of $30 million needed in private donations had been met with a gift from donors Bernie Newcomb (’65) and Gerry Marshall.

The $50-million facility is named in honor of Joan and Ken Austin of Newberg, Ore., for their $10-million commitment to the project. Longtime donors to the university, the Austins are co-founders and owners of A-dec, Inc., a world-renowned dental equipment manufacturer. Joan Austin also is president of Springbrook Properties, developer of the acclaimed The Allison Inn & Spa. Ken Austin, graduated from OSU in 1954 with a degree in industrial and manufacturing engineering.

The late Al Reser, his wife Pat and their family, committed an additional $6 million to the project. The Austin and Reser lead gifts have been combined with gifts from additional donors and $25 million in matching state bonds.

Kleinsorge shared her excitement about the new building, as well as her pride in a college that has had a large impact on the economy of Oregon and beyond.

“Our graduates have gone on to become executives in Fortune 500 companies, established and grew family businesses into economic drivers in their community, their state and globally; and we have sent entrepreneurs into the world -  to innovate, start their own businesses and establish their own success,” she said.

“Between now and the fall of 2014 when those doors to Austin Hall open, there will be more success, excitement and anticipation about the journey ahead of us and the reminiscing about what we leave behind.”

Kleinsorge also spoke to the crowd about her college’s connection with their current location, Bexell Hall, and their hopes for the future.

Benny Beaver loves to give a shout out to supporters of Oregon State University. (photo: Chris Hagan)

“As Bexell Hall has been, Austin Hall will be a tool for us to continue to evolve to meet the changing needs for business education and research in a global economy,” she said.

Business student Connor Deeks, spoke at the event about the importance of the building to himself and fellow students.

“I believe Austin Hall is the culmination of the hard work of the thousands of individuals who have learned, who learn today, and who will learn in the future within the walls of Oregon State University’s College of Business. Austin Hall will inspire students to hit the books, to study, and to further themselves professionally,” Deeks said.

“It will propel students to achieve their highest potential and will reveal to them just how far they can go with a degree from the College of Business in accounting, in finance, in marketing, in entrepreneurship, in management, or in any other filed within the realm of business.

The 100,000-square-foot facility, scheduled to open in fall 2014, will include 10 classrooms, a 250-seat auditorium, a Career Success Center, an MBA suite, a research lab, collaborative team rooms, more than 70 faculty offices, staff and program offices, team project rooms, a café and event space. THA Architecture is the architect and Andersen Construction, owned by College of Business alumnus David Andersen was the company chosen as the builder.

The award recognizes an innovative program, promotion or product created by an organization, business, community or region in Oregon that exemplifies best practices, sustainability and creative problem solving. The award was given to the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association and OSU-Cascades.

After decades without a four-year tourism and hospitality degree program in the state, the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association spearheaded an effort with a group of tourism leaders and Oregon State University — Cascades, to raise funds towards the development of a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at the Bend campus. Currently, the campus offers an option in hospitality management within its business administration program. Campus officials anticipate the bachelor’s degree will be offered beginning in summer 2014.

“We’re grateful for ORLA’s leadership and vision in helping us recreate a hospitality management degree at OSU-Cascades and pleased to share this award with them,” said OSU-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson. Johnson was in Salem to receive the award. “The support and the generosity of many hospitality businesses will allow us to attract students and faculty, and provide interns and graduates for the state’s lodging and restaurant industries.”

Companies, organizations and individuals from Central Oregon, as well as the Willamette Valley and the rest of the state, donated to the initiative. Leading Central Oregon hospitality businesses and representatives who provided gifts include Bennington Properties, Black Butte Ranch, Tom and Stacy Leursen, Navis, Inc., Sunriver Resort and The Oxford Hotel Group, whose $50,000 gift capped the fundraising effort.

According to Travel Oregon, the annual awards recognize people and organizations across the state that go the extra mile to enhance the tourism and hospitality industry in Oregon. Nominated by peers, the award recipients are outstanding examples of professionals who, by virtue of their vision, perseverance and dedication, are a credit to Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industry.

~ Christine Coffin