Dear university colleague:

I am grateful for the many ways we have advanced Oregon State University’s mission together so far this academic year. We welcomed OSU’s 16th president, Jayathi Murthy, we publicly launched Believe It: The Campaign for OSU and launched both the university’s and the Foundation’s strategic planning processes.

In an effort to keep you, our university leaders, apprised of the Foundation’s activities, I’m pleased to share a snapshot of a few of the things on our minds as we (rapidly!) approach the end of the fiscal year, none of which would be possible without your partnership.

Shawn Scoville, Becky Johnson and Jayathi Murthy

President Emeritus Becky Johnson and her wife Lori Elkins, '03, M.S. '06, hosted a reception for President Jayathi Murthy at their home in Bend on April 17. I was glad to join the approximately 40 OSU and OSU-Cascades guests.

OSUF’s mission by the numbers

Inspire investment

As of March 31, donors had given $110.98 million toward our baseline fundraising goal of $134 million. This total includes four gifts of $5 million or more.

We are making progress on the $25 million challenge to raise critically important current-use funds for people, programs and equipment for the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex. At the end of March, donors had given nearly $14 million; we have until the end of December to complete this challenge. (See below for more information, including how you can help on Dam Proud Day.)

Engage our community

The spring issue of the Oregon Stater magazine, which is produced three times a year and mailed to over 190,000 alumni and donor households, arrived in mailboxes this month. This edition spotlights OSU’s leadership in food and beverage discovery and industry. Additionally, we have contracted with Pentagram for a full redesign of the magazine. Pentagram is our partner on the Believe It campaign brand identity and also designed the university’s logo. The Oregon Stater’s digital content will also be enhanced soon.

Steward resources

The most recent endowment market value, as of the end of February, was $796.94 million. Given the turbulence in the markets during 2022, the endowment is performing well. We are grateful for the proactive management provided by our partners at Agility and guided by policies established by the Foundation Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee.

Winter Board gif

The winter meeting for the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees took place between February 23-24 in Newberg.

Recapping winter board meetings

We were glad that, despite the snow, several university leaders were able to participate in our spring board meetings, either in person or via Zoom.

I would like to thank Dean Staci Simonich and Professor Elizabeth Tomasino of the College of Agricultural Sciences for their participation in our dinner program focused on innovation and excellence in Oregon wine production, and Associate Provost Lisa Templeton for leading our discussion on Ecampus’ role in growing student success and corporate education opportunities. These sessions were essential to the board’s ongoing focus on student success and Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR, previously referred to as University-Industry Partnerships).

Primarily, our meetings centered around both the university’s and the Foundation’s strategic plans. I am grateful to President Jayathi Murthy, Provost Ed Feser, Senior Vice Provost Alix Gitelman and AKA Strategy for leading our discussion on the university’s strategic plan*. RJ Valentino of the Napa Group guided the session on the Foundation’s plan.

*If you haven’t completed OSU’s “Input Survey,” please do so now. The president and provost want your input!

Dam Proud Day event

On the university’s upcoming day of giving and connecting, Dam Proud Day, April 26, Beavers around the world will come together to celebrate the accomplishments of the Oregon State community and support OSU students and programs.

Dam Proud Day is April 26

Dam Proud Day will help us get out the word about two exciting fundraising priorities, which I encourage you to support if you are so inclined:

  • Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex Facility Fund: Help OSU take the lead on global solutions for issues affecting our oceans, health and more in the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex. Broad support of this fund will help send a strong message of appreciation to our lead donors. Barbara Bremer LaSalle, College of Education, ’64, put forth a $10,000 challenge, which will be unlocked when 25 donors make gifts to the fund.
  • Student Mental Health: In 2022, 81% of OSU students reported moderate or serious psychological distress. Help expand access to a variety of mental health resources, including the Anytime Anywhere app, so students can get the help they need when they need it. President Murthy and her husband, Dr. Sanjay Mathur, will make a $10,000 gift to this fund when alumni make 3,000 gifts of any size to any fund.

I am grateful to the dozens of university partners who help make Dam Proud Day a success, year after year. View the list of in-person and online events (note the Corvallis campus event will take place on Parker Plaza outside of Reser Stadium this year) and find information on how to be a Dam Proud Day ambassador.

archive photo of OSU Foundation

This spring, the Oregon State University Foundation is celebrating its 75th anniversary, honoring our donors and volunteer leaders who enhance the university through their gifts and service.

Celebrating the OSU Foundation’s 75th anniversary

From its founding in 1947, the OSU Foundation has built a community of supporters to help the university advance its mission and achieve its goals. We are proud to remember the visionary leaders and transformational donors of past generations and grateful for today’s donors, advocates and volunteers, who continue to accelerate the university’s momentum, increasing its impact in Oregon and around the world.

In conjunction with our anniversary celebration, we will honor five new Lifetime Trustees, the Foundation’s highest recognition for volunteer leaders:

  • James E. Coleman, College of Business, ’58, co-chairman, E. & J. Gallo Winery
  • Roy Gaussoin, College of Business, ’56, retired president, Silver Eagle Industries
  • Edmon “Ed” R. Jennings, ’18 (Honorary Alumnus), retired consultant and CEO and president, AngioGenex
  • Susan E. Poorman, College of Liberal Arts, ’61, civic leader and philanthropist
  • Katherine E. Smith, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, ’61, retired corporate leader and consultant and owner, Smith Partners
Alumni fellows

In addition to the Alumni Fellows celebrations this month, we will continue to celebrate this group in-person during Homecoming in October.

Alumni Fellows: Inside the minds of OSU alumni shaping Portland

Oregon State alumni are engaged in work that truly matters to the world. On April 11, the OSU Alumni Association’s Alumni Fellows virtual event celebrated remarkable alumni who are changing the landscape of their professions, revitalizing and creating opportunities within Portland (our largest market of alumni) and serving as catalysts for the success of current and future Beavers. 

  • Dr. Keith Dempsey, College of Liberal Arts and College of Education, ’93, M.S. ’96, Ph.D. ’10
  • Kim Fritz-Ogren, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D. ’16
  • Dr. Lori Gibson, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM ’99
  • Bob Grover, College of Agricultural Sciences, ’83
  • Matt Morton, College of Liberal Arts, Ed.M. ’98
  • Bill Nicholson, College of Engineering, ’80
  • Olivia Quiroz, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, ’05
  • Joth Ricci, College of Education, ’91
  • Julia Rosen, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D. ’14
  • Mary Deits Rousseau, College of Liberal Arts, ’71
  • David Vernier, College of Science, M.S. ’76
  • Anita Winn, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, ’79

Watch the videos

 

Ann and Ron Berg

“We want students to have the same encouragement that we did as students at Oregon State," said Ann Berg, College of Education, M.S. '73. Read the story.

Four people

In Southern California, President Murthy and I met with Jeanne and Lou Mace, College of Engineering, '59. 

Thank you

Thank you for all the ways you strengthen Oregon State University. It’s exciting to partner with you to grow our community of engaged alumni and friends. Special thanks to President Murthy for prioritizing time to travel with me to Texas, Southern California and Bend for meetings with some of our amazing alumni and donors. (Are you keeping track of her activities on Twitter @OregonStatePres?)

Thanks for doing the unbelievable for OSU!

Sincerely, 

Shawn L. Scoville
President & CEO