What does it mean to be Dam Proud?

Dam Proud Day, Oregon State’s university-wide giving day, is next Wednesday, April 29! If you’re searching for answers about how you can support students and the future of OSU — or how to get involved — check out this video!

WATCH THE VIDEO

 

Champion your cause

Use your voice for a Dam Proud Day project you care about. Share a post with your friends and followers on the social media platform of your choice in just one click!

SHARE WITH A CLICK

 

Support scholarships for tomorrow’s leaders

Transform a student’s future with a gift to OSU Alumni Association scholarships this Dam Proud Day! One of the university’s longest-running scholarship programs and among the largest in terms of students served, it uniquely includes both need-based and leadership- and engagement-based scholarships, so that students don’t just graduate; they graduate career ready.

LEARN MORE AND GIVE

EVENTS

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There’s a seat for you at the breakfast table | May 2

Spend quality time with your OSU student and mingle with fellow Spring Family Weekend visitors! As you enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet, hear from OSU leadership, student ambassadors sharing their OSU experience and expert insights about the job market your student is entering.

JOIN PARENT AND FAMILY BREAKFAST

 

What’s underfoot in Seattle? | May 8

At Dam Good Connections, Professor Adam Kent takes us on a journey beneath the surface of the Pacific Northwest. Join us for an evening of peaks and pints, magma and mingling, as you learn about the region’s iconic Cascade volcanoes and build your Seattle-area Beaver network.

MEET SEATTLE BEAVS

 

From Savannah to Sofa | May 12

The next Travel Talk webcast reveals the surprising connections between magnificent wild felines and the cat that roams your home. Join us for insights into the mind of your kitty companions with Professor Monique Udell, an animal behaviorist and the director of the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at OSU.

ATTEND TRAVEL TALKS ONLINE

 

Cheers to the new Food and Beverage Industry Network | May 28

Join the launch of a new network designed to connect alumni, students and professionals across the vibrant food and beverage landscape! Join us at CHO Wines in Hillsboro to enjoy:

  • Tastings from alumni-owned and -made, world-class CHO Wines, founded by Dave Cho, ’18, and Lois Cho.
  • Small bites from Sol Chef PDX — led by 2015 Chopped champions and Portland restaurateurs Jackie Sappington, MBA ’26, and Adam Sappington.
  • Dessert from Salt & Straw ice cream.
  • Student research and an insightful panel of alumni and industry trailblazers.
REGISTER NOW

 

More events

2026 Earth Day Lecture: Bold Solutions, Better Planet | April 22
In person and online
Join Alumni Fellow Christine Ervin, ’77, M.S. ’81, to learn about the surprising momentum of clean energy and green buildings, the challenges ahead and how everyday choices can drive climate progress.

Alumni Fellows Awards Dinner | April 23
In person
Be part of a memorable night recognizing eight exceptional leaders transforming their industries, strengthening communities and carrying Beaver values into the world.

Dam Proud Day Scavenger Hunt: Corvallis | April 26 – April 29 
In person

Student teams can sign up to complete scavenger hunt “missions.” Explore OSU, learn about stories of philanthropy and compete for prize money for your favorite fund!

OSUAA Member-Exclusive Webcast: What Do We Need to Know About Artificial Intelligence? | April 28
Online
OSU Libraries’ Special Advisor on AI, Kiri Wagstaff, Ph.D., explains 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 for access.

Dam Proud Day Live: Corvallis | April 29 
Online
Tune into a livestream talk show featuring special guests from every corner of OSU and watch the Street Fair celebration unfold in the Student Experience Center Plaza!

Dam Proud Day Roots Run 5K: Corvallis, Remote | April 29
In person

Join a fun run and walk benefiting College of Forestry students, whether in Corvallis — featuring a free T-shirt and post-race taco lunch — or from anywhere with a virtual race option.

Dam Proud Day Block Party: OSU-Cascades | April 29
In person

Enjoy interactive booths showcasing the funds being highlighted, plus games and activities.

Dam Proud Day Street Fair: Corvallis | April 29
In person

Celebrate in the SEC Plaza with live interviews, games, prizes, giveaways, fun outdoor inflatables and free student-made Beaver Classic ice cream! Sponsored by Oregon State Credit Union and Aztec Embroidery and Screenprinting.

Dam Good Lunch: OSU-Cascades | April 29
In person

Enjoy $5 off your meal at The Beaver Dam when you present your staff ID.

Dam Proud Day Celebration: Portland | April 29
In person

Gather at the OSU College of Pharmacy building outside the OHSU Robertson Life Sciences Building, facing Tilikum Crossing Bridge, to connect with fellow Portland Beavs, snap some photos and enjoy free OSU swag and snacks.

Dam Proud Day “the happiest hours”: OSU-Cascades | April 29
In person

Wrap up the day by giving and celebrating a shared commitment to OSU-Cascades.

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! OSUAA members: See the discount code in your April member newsletter or contact osualum@osualum.com. Not a member? Join today!

OSU Days of Service | May 1–31
In person and online
Join fellow Beaver volunteers making a difference in their communities throughout the month of May. Sign up to serve in Phoenix, Arizona; Eugene, Oregon; Turner, Oregon; or create your own project, alone or with others, and complete the independent project log.

Stone Award for Literary Achievement – Natasha Trethewey | May 8
In person
Natasha Trethewey, winner of the 2026 Stone Award for Literary Achievement, will celebrate with a poetry reading at OSU. Presented by the College of Liberal Arts and established by Vicki and Patrick Stone, ’74, the award honors extraordinary authors and poets with lasting literary influence.

OSUAA Member Shopping: Nike Company Store | May 9–31
In person
OSU Alumni Association members: Get an exclusive shopping pass for entry into the Nike Company Store in Beaverton, where you’ll save up to 40% off retail prices on most merchandise. Not a member yet? Join for access!

Ask Alumni: Transform Your Career and Community Through Volunteering | May 14
Online
Hear from a panel of Beaver alumni whose professional journeys, and personal lives, have been shaped by volunteering, and discover practical ways you can get involved.

Alumni Field Trip in Bend | May 16
In person
Spend a day discovering Central Oregon’s natural wonders on a guided field trip featuring alumni and faculty expert-led walks at Shevlin Park and Lava Lands. Unwind afterward with OSU friends at Dam Good Connections at Deschutes Brewery.

Bray Health Leadership Lecture | May 20
In person and online
Moda Health executive Robin J. Richardson, ’84, leads a timely conversation on whether health care is in crisis, chaos or transformation, in this inspiring endowed lecture series established by Tammy Bray, founding dean of the College of Health, and her husband, John.

Schild Nicholson Neurodiversity Lecture | May 29
In person
Launching a new endowed lecture series established through the generosity of Dinah and Steven Nicholson, Susan Stoner explores how prenatal alcohol exposure affects brain health, cognition and well-being across the lifespan.

SUPPORTING 2026 GRADS

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As Oregon State prepares to celebrate a new class of Beaver graduates, alumni and friends like you can help act as a bridge during this time of transition. Will you help share resources with soon-to-be-graduates in your network?

» New grad resource hub
Centralized resources, networking and career events, alumni advice and commencement information for the Class of 2026.

» How to Stand Out in Your Early Career with Ellen Raim | May 19
One-hour online workshop with an expert in early career development; perfect for graduating students and recent alumni!

» Grad Night 2026: Las Vegas | June 4
Fun, casino-style sendoff for graduates and one guest to connect with classmates and celebrate their accomplishments.

» Sweet Beginnings | June 13
Celebratory space at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center, with sweet treats and photo ops for grads and families immediately after commencement.

Congratulations, Changemakers

The OSU Alumni Association is proud to introduce the 2026 Changemakers honorees: Dr. Amanda Achterman, MPH ’06, Jerry Adams, ’88, Coral Avery, ’21, and Malory Turner, ’16. This award, part of the OSU Days of Service, celebrates Beavers who drive meaningful, positive change through their careers or volunteer service.

READ ABOUT THEIR IMPACT

BEAVERS DOING THE UNBELIEVABLE

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» In 2015, a blue whale washed ashore in Gold Beach, Oregon. Through the generosity of OSU donors, this rare specimen was transformed into a powerful resource for education, research and public engagement. This May, 11 years later, its preserved, restored and fully reassembled skeleton will go on display outside the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.

» Talk about students pushing the limits of what’s possible: Oregon State’s Overclocking Club ranks in the top 0.5% worldwide, with a mission of finding ways to make computer hardware safely and effectively perform beyond its standard limits.

» Led by Oregon State, the Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST) partnership helped bring $8.5 million in state funding to expand semiconductor education, training and collaboration across Oregon — with $1.6 million designated to grow proven programs at OSU.

» Potatoes grown in moon dirt? Believe it! Check out OPB’s recent feature of Oregon State’s promising research exploring “moon-grown” potatoes.

ATHLETICS

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» Congrats, coach! Oregon State Wrestling Head Coach Chris Pendleton was named the Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year for the second time; he also brought home the honor in 2022.

» The leadership qualities you develop as an OSU student-athlete can lead to remarkable places. A new Oregon Stater video interview dives into Nikki Neuburger’s journey from the volleyball court to building a career with some of the world’s most iconic brands.

FUN FOR MINI-BEAVS

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Discover why OSU Pet Day is a Corvallis favorite, with activities including teddy bear surgery, kid zone, hospital and college tours, Picasso puppy painting and info for pet parents.

EXPLORE A PAW-SOME DAY

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