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Stories from the suit

Today is International Beaver Day! Celebrate by diving into the pages of the spring Oregon Stater. In this issue’s cover story, decades of student mascots tell all. Learn what it was like bringing OSU’s peppy and beloved Benny and Bernice to life across the eras — famous among crowds of roaring fans, yet sworn to complete secrecy about their identities.

EVENTS

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An evening with the Alumni Fellows | April 23

Be part of a memorable night recognizing the 2026 Alumni Fellows: eight exceptional leaders transforming their industries, strengthening communities and carrying Beaver values into the world. Come hear their stories, celebrate their achievements, connect with the OSU community and enjoy one of the university’s most meaningful traditions.

We look forward to honoring:

• Adam Bean, ’00
• Scott W. Christianson, ’08
• Dr. Keith Dempsey, ’93, M.S. ’96, Ph.D. ’09
• Christine Ervin, ’77, M.S. ’81
• Dr. Jerry F. Franklin, ’59, M.S. ’61
• Ben Rivera, ’90
• Dr. Shannon B. Wanless, Ph.D. ’09
• Kathy Ward, ’77

Find your local Beaver crowd | April–May

Shared curiosity makes for an easy icebreaker — and Dam Good Connections delivers plenty to talk about! Join a fun night of networking with Beavs who call your area home, while enjoying OSU faculty-led talks about protecting wine from wildfire smoke taint (Sacramento, April 18), what’s brewing beneath the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, May 8) and the vibrant ecosystems of Central Oregon (Bend, May 16).

Lace up for an Alumni Field Trip | May 16

Join OSU alumni and faculty guides for a day of discovery in Bend, with habitat walks in Shevlin Park and a science‑rich tour of Lava Lands — all wrapped up in time to unwind with fellow Beavs at Deschutes Brewery during Dam Good Connections! Snacks, beverages and transportation between locations are provided.

Food and Beverage Industry Network Launch | May 28

From brewing and winemaking to manufacturing and product development, our state’s food and beverage sector is rooted in OSU excellence. Connect with alumni, students and professionals as we launch a new network designed to:

• Support and shape one of Oregon’s most vital industries.
• Foster a purpose-driven community of professionals.
• Spark collaboration, career advancement and lifelong learning.

More events

Travel Talks: Roman Feasts and Mosaic Floors | April 7 (TONIGHT)
Online
Hear about the ancient Roman empire’s “unswept floor” mosaic trend — mimicking scattered food scraps from a lavish feast — with food writer and OSU senior instructor Kristin Griffin.

We Believe in Portland – Spring Citywide Cleanup | April 17
In person
Alumni and friends, join the Oregon State Beavers for Portland’s spring citywide cleanup — restoring public spaces while connecting with the Beaver community. Proudly sponsored by the OSU Foundation & Alumni Association in partnership with Oregon State University.

Believe It: An Evening with OSU Faculty in Palo Alto | April 21
In person
Join OSU President Jayathi Murthy and OSU Foundation President and CEO Shawn L. Scoville for an engaging evening of lightning talks by Oregon State faculty who are leading the way in discovery and innovation. In just three minutes each, faculty will highlight their research and why it matters — to all of us.

2026 Earth Day Lecture: Bold Solutions, Better Planet | April 22
In person and online
Join College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences Alumni Fellow Christine Ervin, ’77, M.S. ’81, for an Earth Day talk on the surprising momentum of clean energy and green buildings, the challenges ahead and how everyday choices can drive meaningful climate progress.

What Do We Need to Know About Artificial Intelligence? | April 28
Online
In this webcast exclusively for OSU Alumni Association members, hear OSU Libraries' Special Advisor on AI, Kiri Wagstaff, Ph.D., explain how AI shows up in daily life, when (and whether) to use this technology and what we as humans uniquely bring to that partnership. Not a member yet? Join today for access.

OSUAA Member Discount: 20% off Oregon Ballet Theatre 2 at PRAx | May 1
In person
Catch the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s second company, OBT2, in Corvallis on a stop during their 2026 Spring Tour! OSU Alumni Association members enjoy 20% off tickets for the show: See the discount code in your April member newsletter or contact osualum@osualum.com.

Parent and Family Breakfast | May 2
In person
Fuel your Spring Family Weekend with a lively morning for parents and family supporters (and your students) — complete with a breakfast buffet, creative juice mocktails, coffee and tea, and remarks from students, OSU leadership and the director of career development!

Third Annual Letitia Carson Symposium | May 15
In person
Join the College of Agricultural Sciences for an evening celebrating the history of one of Oregon’s first Black pioneers, with short talks, special guests, dinner and an optional afternoon field tour of the Carson homestead site.

Oregon State Engineering Expo | June 5
In person
In this annual interactive event hosted by more than 1,200 senior engineering students, explore projects that tackle real-world challenges related to robotics, clean water, nuclear energy, construction innovation and more.

Let’s make this the biggest Dam Proud Day yet | April 29

A student receiving their diploma after years of hard work is a life-changing and emotional moment. Your Dam Proud Day gift for the OSU Alumni Association Scholarship Fund helps ensure more Beavers make it there. Dam Proud Day is when Beavers everywhere rally in support of their favorite OSU programs and causes. Give alongside thousands of generous OSU supporters — in just one day, the collective power of our community can help unlock nearly $1.75 million in challenge gifts!

Can’t wait to celebrate the big day? Kickstart the excitement right now: Add your photo to the official Dam Proud Day online mosaic or mark your calendar with giving day events and activities in Portland, Corvallis, Bend and online.

CAREER CONNECTIONS

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Reimagining careers with AI

Whether the future of AI in the workplace feels promising, uncertain or a bit of both, read senior director of alumni career engagement Karla Rockhold’s new article breaking down what today’s shift toward AI means for employees, plus how to build the skills and adaptability that will keep your career moving forward. For more exploration, join OSU’s third annual AI Week, April 13–17.

BEAVERS DOING THE UNBELIEVABLE

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» The state has approved $42 million for construction of OSU-Cascades’ student health and recreation center, which will expand access to clinical health services, mental health counseling, and fitness and recreation spaces for students at the Bend campus. Thank you to Beaver Caucus advocates and OSU-Cascades students for their pivotal work to make this possible.

» Advancing the search for better treatments for the most common form of dementia, a College of Science researcher working with a team of undergraduate students has developed a way to observe a chemical process linked with Alzheimer’s disease — offering hope that some brain damage might be reversible.

» Do you know your pet’s “love language”? Learn simple ways to increase your bond with your pets from Monique Udell, director of OSU’s Human-Animal Interaction Laboratory.

Service is a Beaver superpower

Volunteering strengthens our communities, expands opportunity and helps each of us grow in unexpected ways. Ready to jump in and make a difference? Attend Ask Alumni online on May 14 to learn how volunteering has shaped Beavers’ professional and personal lives and find practical ways to get involved. Then, put it into practice during the OSU Days of Service throughout the month of May.

ATHLETICS

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» Beaver Wrestling won the Pac-12 Championship last month, adding yet another trophy to their collection of 26 conference titles in program history; four wrestlers claimed individual titles.

» Get to know Head Coach Justin Joyner — and his background, family and passion for men’s basketball — in his introductory press conference.

» Senior Marilyn Ackerman set a new OSU record with her javelin throw on March 21 when Oregon State Track and Field opened their outdoor season on their home track.

Beavers are everywhere

Shout-out to Beavs across the continent and around the world who joined OSU President Jayathi Murthy and OSU Foundation President and CEO Shawn L. Scoville in recent gatherings from New York City to Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta and Taipei. Benny tagged along on a trip across Asia where the two leaders deepened international partnerships and connected with alumni, donors and prospective students. In Manhattan’s spectacular Perelman Performing Arts Center, New York City alumni and friends were greeted by Rick Noble, ’08, the PAC director of production, and learned about Oregon wines from Professor James Osborne, director of OSU’s Oregon Wine Research Institute. 

FUN FOR MINI-BEAVS

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Future Beavs wanted: OSU-Cascades Summer Academy

Raft the river, hike Bend’s trails and play board games and kickball with new friends — then step into university labs and classrooms! OSU-Cascades’ Summer Academy for high schoolers entering grades 10–12 delivers hands-on learning and career readiness experiences, plus a $500 scholarship toward your tuition at OSU-Cascades. Choose from six unique academic tracks across two sessions July 19–24 and July 26–31.

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