Your digital hub to stay connected to the OSU community.

Dam Proud Day is TOMORROW! Let’s do this. | April 28

Tomorrow’s the day: Dam Proud Day, OSU’s online event when Beavers everywhere will come together to support the things we do best: transformative educational experiences and life-changing research and outreach. On Oregon State’s day of giving and connecting, over $470,000 in challenge gifts will help increase the impact of your gifts on the OSU causes you believe in. And there are a number of ways to participate in addition to making a gift, including a virtual photo booth, auction and a webcast where you can learn about our favorite animal, the beaver.

Not sure what to support? Consider giving future alumni the boost they need to reach the finish line and attain their in-progress degree by making a gift to the newly created OSU Alumni Association scholarship.

OREGON STATER

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The Red Planet gets a touch of orange

With an OSU degree, Beavers can go anywhere. Their work reaches across the nation and the world — and the solar system. A mechanical engineer with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, William “Wil” Allen, ’86, played a key role in the Perseverance project: A cutting-edge rover that reached Mars on Feb. 18 and most recently made headlines by converting carbon dioxide to oxygen on the Red Planet.

Read about his journey from Oregon State to NASA on page 8 of the spring Oregon Stater, online and in Beaver mailboxes now.

VIRTUAL EVENTS

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Leave it to Beavers: Nature’s Engineers | April 28

Grand designers. Environmental champions. And they emit a gooey stuff that smells like ice cream. You may know your Oregon State Beavers – but how well do you know the Oregon state animal with the big orange teeth? Get better acquainted with the fascinating North American beaver in "Leave it to Beavers," a webcast presented in conjunction with Dam Proud Day.

Stone Award for Literary Achievement Lecture | April 29

Honor the legendary career of painter, cartoonist and author of 21 books, Lynda Barry, who is widely credited with expanding the literary, thematic and emotional range of American comics. The New York Times has described Barry as "among this country’s greatest conjoiners of words and images, known for plumbing all kinds of touchy subjects in cartoons, comic strips and novels, both graphic and illustrated."

Trivia in a galaxy far, far away | May 4

Get together with brainy Beavers for May the 4th be with You, a fun pop culture-packed trivia night with OSU Next, the network for alumni within 10 years of graduation. See if you can buzz in at lightspeed with the answers to trivia in categories such as Star Wars, Oregon State and Name that Show.

Take a note from the alumni experts | May 6

Find gems of wisdom from Oregon State peers in I Wish I Knew: Ask the Experts. In this early-career alumni panel, you’ll have a chance to network with impressive panelists — including managers, CEOs, business founders and frontline workers — in a breakout room setting. Explore topics including Leadership and Success Strategies, Career and Interviews, Connections and Community, From Student to Entrepreneur and Graduating in a Remote Environment.

What’s all the buzz about Oregon bees? | May 11

To protect the bees, first we need to find them. In the OSU Science on Tap live webcast and at-home happy hour, hear from the researcher who is working to identify the 600+ bee species in Oregon and learn how you can be more pollinator-friendly.

Eye-opening lessons in entrepreneurial design | May 12

What does it take to find success as a creative and an entrepreneur? Hear firsthand accounts, challenges and victories from the field in an event hosted by the OSU Design Network in partnership with the OSU Alumni Association and moderated by Jim Chi of the Oregon Sports Angels.

Join more OSU events:

Member Shopping Event: adidas Employee Store | Now - May 3
Something exciting is afoot for OSUAA members! Claim the shopping pass that saves you and up to two guests 50% off adidas products.

Cabildos Speaker Series Presents Adom Getachew | April 28
Join the University of Chicago associate professor to examine the role of images, theatricality and performance — or visual politics — in the founding of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).

Finding Her Edge: A Conversation with Author Laura Huang | May 3
The Harvard Business School professor and author of “Edge: Turning Adversity Into Advantage,” shares about her journey as an entrepreneur and researcher.

2021 OSU Distinguished Professors | May 5 & 6
Learn about the fascinating work of two OSU faculty recognized as 2021 University Distinguished Professors: Julia Jones (geography) and Richard Settersten (human development).

Virtual Paint Night | May 7
Bring a classic red barn scene to life with fellow crafty Beavers. Alumna Kaitlyn Carr-Kiprotich, ’16, will provide step-by-step instruction. Get your supplies today!

Organizing Black Liberation Panel | We Have Work to Do | May 10
As crucial conversations surrounding racial justice continue across the nation, join a panel discussion with Oregon State students, faculty and alumni working to abolish the barriers placed on Black lives.

American Strings: Andrew Bird and Jimbo Mathus | May 12
Enjoy an evening of conversation and music with internationally acclaimed musician, songwriter and composer Andrew Bird and American singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimbo Mathis. Host OSU Director of Popular Music and Performing Arts Bob Santelli will talk to the duo about their long friendship and the fun they had together in the making their new album.

The 2010 Haiti Earthquake: A Story of History, Race, Inequities, and Natural Hazards | May 12
Join the 2021 College of Engineering Dean’s Distinguished Lecture with Reginald DesRoches, who will uncover the historical seeds and ongoing influences that the 2010 earthquake still has on Haitians today.

Women’s Giving Circle Grant Celebration | May 14
Each year, the OSU Women’s Giving Circle pools donations and selects grant recipients in a collaborative giving effort that impacts thousands of lives on campus and beyond. On May 14, hear how past grants have made a difference and celebrate next year’s grant recipients, to be announced at the event.

Changemakers Webcast Series | May 19 & June 23
Hear from Beavers changing the world for all of us today and future generations to come. Upcoming events: Theater Director Sheila Daniels (May 19) and Equity Manager Rebecca Arce (June 23).

Winning in Life After College | LinkedIn & Interviews: 21 Tips for Success | May 20
Learn tips you can immediately put into action with hiring professionals Lori Rush, '78, and Nick Poloni, '15.

Farm 2 Fork | Food Hubbing: Strengthening Connections for Oregon’s Regional Food and Beverage Producers | May 21
Micah Elconin, president of Season to Taste and director of Eugene’s Table, discusses how strong, intentional relationships help regional food systems thrive.

Regional Connections: Hawaii | May 24
Build a strong network of Beaver alumni and students in Hawaii, enjoy the company of old and new friends and discuss career tips and opportunities.

Career Webcast: Interview at Your Best | May 26
Nail your next interview with the STAR process (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and helpful day-of interview advice.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

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Avoid aches in the home and home office | May 17

Build a remote workspace and home environment that supports your physical and mental health. Dive into the importance of ergonomics with OSU faculty Jay Kim and Laurel Kincl in the Public Health Insider webcast series.

Stay active and free of pain

In the OSU Extension Service Walk with Ease program, designed especially for those living with arthritis and pain, you’ll learn how to exercise safely and comfortably at your own pace and work toward goals.

HAPPY DISTRACTIONS

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Pandemic era snapshots tell a story

The Oregon State campus is characterized by lively energy and togetherness — so it was impossible not to notice how things changed when the pandemic set in. That’s when James Schupp, ’78, M.B.A. ’79, started snapping photos of the beautiful but deserted scenes, now on display in the Memorial Union Concourse through June 11 in a 62-photo display.

TAKE 5

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Five easy fixes for reducing work-from-home discomfort

While the pandemic led folks to begin working from home, many of us are likely to continue doing so at least part of the time, even as offices reopen. It’s not too late to make adjustments to your home office setup and routines – and your health may depend on it.

FUN FOR MINI-BEAVS

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Strike a pose with kid-friendly yoga

Get into the rhythm of yoga and mindfulness practices with Oregon State Extension’s collection of all-ages activities for healthy living.