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Introducing OSU’s newest Student Alumni Ambassadors
As OSU classes begin tomorrow, we are proud to introduce the dynamic group of student leaders who will represent the voice of Beaver Nation this year. These 10 ambassadors will connect with alumni, help shape signature events from award celebrations to Dam Proud Day to commencement, share the student perspective in meaningful ways and develop personally and professionally. Each ambassador also receives a $2,000 scholarship, giving them the flexibility to fully embrace the leadership and networking extracurriculars this program provides. To support future ambassadors and other student success programs, consider making a gift to the OSU Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.
Join us in congratulating:
- Luis Felix Chavez, ’26
- Isaiah Fernandez, ’26
- Alana Kelley, ’26
- Bella Larsen, ’26
- Sara Mielish, ’27
- Keegan Oakes, ’26
- Lily Oliphant, ’26
- Alivia Stiles, ’27
- Danny Trinh, ’28
- Christina Young-Valdovinos, ’27
Tailgate with Oregon State
The Beavs need you cheering! Whether you’re at Reser, on the road or at a watch party in your neighborhood, meet up with fellow Beaver fans to get the best game day experience.
OSUAA Tailgate Town, special pregame gatherings and watch parties:
Oct. 4 – Away vs. Appalachian State » Tailgate Town » Watch party: Redmond, WA at Redmond’s Grill, hosted by Norm Vener, ’80
Oct. 11 – Home vs. Wake Forest (Homecoming!) » Tailgate Town » 9th Annual Multicultural Alumni and Friends Tailgater
Oct. 18 – Home vs. Lafayette » Tailgate Town » 2025 Beaver Caucus and University Legislative Scholars Pregame Gathering
Nov. 1 – Home vs. Washington State » Tailgate Town » College of AgSci & AgWest Farm Credit Land-Grant Showdown » Watch party: Sacramento, CA at Field House, hosted by Kevin Kasnick, ’86
Nov. 8 – Home vs. Sam Houston » Tailgate Town » Beavs, Brews & BBQs
Nov. 15 – Away vs. Tulsa » Watch party: Redmond, WA at Redmond’s Grill, hosted by Norm Vener, ’80 » Watch party: Kirkland, WA at Tony’s Sports Bar, hosted by Garrett Brown » Watch party: Long Beach, CA at Steady Brewing, hosted by Kala Kopecek, ’18
Nov. 29 – Away vs. Washington State » Tailgate Town
Flying the Dam Flag - Show us Your Beaver Spirit
Whether it’s our student-athletes on the field or fans across the nation, Beaver Nation doesn’t back down. When the Pac-12 as we know it unraveled, Todd Butler, ’87, created the Dam Flag Flyers, a volunteer crew carrying OSU’s flag to every ESPN College GameDay. They haven’t missed a single broadcast since. Join the Dam Flag Flyers roster. And wherever you’re flying your Beaver colors — on national TV or at home — share a photo of your flag (or Beaver gear) with us and let's keep the Beaver Believer spirit strong!
See what’s inside: Fall 2025 Oregon Stater
From superfans who embody school spirit to alumni athletes reflecting on the shake-up in college sports, this issue of the alumni magazine dives into the people and stories that shape Oregon State University. Plus: research on recreation and mental health, a new research forest near Portland and alumni making an impact worldwide.
Travel Talks: Bordeaux and the Basque Country | TONIGHT, Sept. 23
Join College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Staci Simonich and wine expert Professor Elizabeth Tomasino as they share why Bordeaux and the Basque Country: Wine and Culture is the trip they can’t wait to lead. Tonight’s webcast will give you a taste of what makes this European journey bucket-list worthy.
Now booking: Ready for the adventure? | April 30 – May 10, 2026
On this nine-night tour with fellow OSU travelers, explore Bordeaux’s elegant architecture and highly regarded vineyards, enjoy a private winery tour in Saint-Émilion and savor fresh oysters on France’s southwest shores. In Spain, immerse yourself in Basque culinary traditions, stroll through medieval Laguardia with its underground network of wine cellars and tour the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
EVENTS
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Countdown to Homecoming 2025 | Oct. 10-12
Homecoming is almost here! Get ready to reconnect and make new memories, cheer OSU to victory against Wake Forest and honor the classes ending in “5.” The OSU Alumni Association invites you to Tailgate Town, the 9th Annual Multicultural Alumni and Friends Tailgater, Benny’s Birthday Surprise at the Alumni Center, the Oregon Stater Superfans experience and the OSU Latina Luncheon — plus more events from all corners of OSU!
Community conversations on breast cancer research | Oct. 30
College of Health faculty and special guests address what is on your mind surrounding the challenges, triumphs, resilience and science in the fight against breast cancer in a town-hall style webcast during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Parent and Family Social | Nov. 7
Kick off Fall Family Weekend with community, conversation and connection. Learn about student success initiatives, hear how OSU grads are making a global impact and explore opportunities in parent philanthropy programs in a casual gathering with savory appetizers and drinks.
Savor sizzling barbecue before kickoff | Nov. 8
Fire up your appetite for the third annual Beavs, Brews & BBQs! Celebrate OSU spirit before the Beavers take on the Sam Houston Bearkats with a barbecue tailgate honoring veterans and the military community. Enjoy bites from Pacific Northwest pitmasters, refreshing local beers, student-made Beaver Classic ice cream and live music.
More events
Marigold Center: Beyond Mindfulness - Cultivating Positive Emotions | Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 In person Join Joseph Bailey at Marigold for a four-week series exploring compassion, ritual and spiritual ecology to help cultivate positive emotions.
Nike Employee Store Shopping for Members | Oct. 4–26 In person OSU Alumni Association members, get your pass to shop the Nike Company Store and save up to 40% off the retail price of most merchandise.
Indigenous Peoples’ Week at OSU | Oct. 11–17 In person Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Week with community gatherings that honor Indigenous histories, resilience and contributions at OSU and beyond.
PRAx Presents: Brass Queens | Oct. 16 In person Celebrate the PRAx Gala with the Brass Queens, an all-woman brass band paying homage to the New Orleans tradition while injecting the energy of their New York home into each performance.
Provost’s Lecture with Margot Lee Shetterly | Oct. 28 In person OSU proudly welcomes Margot Lee Shetterly, researcher, entrepreneur and author of the bestselling book, Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race.
Thomas Condon Lecture: Where Did the Lava Flow and How Do We Know? | Oct. 29 In person and online Join the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and geologist and PBS host Nick Zentner to explore the mystery of ancient lava flows and what they reveal about the Pacific Northwest’s landscapes.
American Strings: An Evening with John Scofield's Combo 73 | Nov. 2 In person PRAx and PDX Jazz present three-time Grammy-winning guitarist John Scofield in conversation about his incredible career with American Strings host Kelly Bosworth, followed by a full performance with his acclaimed quartet.
Travel Talk: Geology of Moab, Arches and the Canyonlands | Nov. 4 Online Brilliant red cliffs, towering natural arches and winding canyons: Marvel in landscapes and geology of the American Southwest as Professor Emeritus Andrew Meigs takes you on a digital journey through Moab, Arches and the Canyonlands.
CAREER CONNECTIONS
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What seasoned freelancers wish they knew
Before going out on your own, seasoned freelancer Annemarie Allain, ’00, shares the lessons she wishes she’d learned earlier — from managing clients and marketing yourself to handling taxes and finding work-life balance.
Learn more from Annemarie and fellow Beaver alumni Kimberly Gratz, MAIS ’12, MFA ’25, and Kevin Coalwell, ’21, at tomorrow’s Ask Alumni webcast, Turn Your Skills Into a Freelance Career. Then, join us for more career advancement topics throughout the fall!
Upcoming Ask Alumni panels:
BEAVERS DOING THE UNBELIEVABLE
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» OSU’s DAM Robotics Club, the largest student org on campus, outperformed 25 student design teams to win first place at the Canadian International Rover Challenge. Students built a rover that could traverse varying terrain, perform autonomous operations and manipulate objects, simulating the conditions of colonizing a planet.
» Oregon State has been selected to lead a prestigious national research center focused on making electronics more resilient to radiation. Supported by a $17 million award from the National Nuclear Security Administration, the center will tackle one of the most pressing challenges in modern electronics, supporting the design of more resilient systems for satellites, spacecraft, missiles, self-driving vehicles and data centers.
» OSU Press-published I Lived to Tell the World by Elizabeth Mehren was chosen to represent Oregon at the 2025 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. The book tells the stories of survivors of the Holocaust, genocide and war who rebuilt their lives in Oregon.
» Beaver Nation’s win on the speedway is also a win for industries. CleanTechnica recently highlighted how OSU’s Global Formula Racing students — No. 1 in the Formula SAE Electric competition this summer — are graduating career-ready, equipped to reverse the urgent skills gap facing cleantech industries.
» John Valva, OSU Alumni Association executive director and vice president of alumni engagement, was appointed to the board of the Council of Alumni Association Executives, a group of leaders shaping the future of alumni engagement nationwide.
FUN FOR MINI-BEAVS
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Treasure hunt on the coast
Choose your own adventure with the 2025–26 Oregon Coast Quest Book from Oregon Sea Grant, featuring 29 self-guided adventures for kids and families! While you explore parks, trails and local landmarks, follow clues leading to hidden boxes where you can sign your name in a logbook and get a stamp to mark your accomplishment.
Brought to you by OSU Alumni Association Membership
When you become an OSUAA member, you’re not only supporting student success initiatives, but you’re also receiving tons of great benefits: Exclusive events, savings on Beaver gear, deals from national retailers and more. Join today.
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