Your digital hub to stay connected to the OSU community.

Tomorrow is Dam Proud Day!

Join thousands of fellow Beavers giving together to make a difference in the lives of students, faculty and community members. Tomorrow, you’ll be able to give to 100+ OSU programs and projects that you believe in, and gifts of all sizes will count toward exciting challenges and prizes to unlock up to $1 million in challenge gifts! Wear your favorite orange outfit, connect with fellow Beavers online and in person and get ready to support the people and cutting-edge projects that make our university so special.

• Sign up for exclusive OSU Foundation communications via text messaging, including Dam Proud Day reminders and updates.
• Spread the word on social media to inspire friends and family to give and post pictures in your Beaver gear using #BeavsGive and #DamProudDay.
• Join us in person in Corvallis, Bend and Portland or online with our livestream.
• Check out exciting challenges and prizes that you can help unlock for your favorite programs with gifts of all sizes.
• Watch this video from President Jayathi Murthy about why Dam Proud Day matters and how your gift can go even further by leveraging challenge gifts. 

5,000 hours of creating positive change

On the OSU Day of Service, May 20, you can make a difference anywhere in the world and help us reach our goal of giving 5,000 hours of service in one day. Whether painting murals, cleaning up outdoors, planting community gardens or tutoring and mentoring students, there are countless ways to serve the communities and causes most important to you. Join volunteers gathering in Oregon, California and Hawaii or log your service hours from an individual project to make sure every bit of Beaver kindness counts!

SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS

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Advocate for affordable higher education

Right now, the Joint Ways and Means Committee is collecting public input from Oregon’s communities to inform budget priorities — and we need to let them know that OSU and higher education matter to people across the state. The state’s proposed funding is insufficient to operate our state’s colleges and universities, meaning more costs would fall on the shoulders of students and families if the plan is adopted as proposed.

Lend your voice to the conversation about making a college education more affordable. Your advocacy will enable Oregon State to continue driving student success and economic growth for our state.

One more way to make a difference in students’ lives:

» Now – May 12 | Homecoming Court applications are open

Encourage student leaders to apply for the 2023 Homecoming Court to receive a $500 scholarship and represent OSU at events (requires a student account to access). Send an email to Piper Gazeley to learn about serving on the Homecoming Court Selection Committee.

BEAVERS DOING THE UNBELIEVABLE

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» OSU researchers discovered a new class of compounds that contribute to the ashy or smoky flavors in wine made with grapes exposed to wildfire smoke, helping to combat the growing impact of wildfires on wineries and vineyards.

» Sherman Bloomer has been named chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades in Bend. He served as dean of the College of Science for 11 years before leading the budget and resource planning office since 2012.

» Computer science student Harry Herzberg was recognized as an Inno Under 25 entrepreneur for co-founding Transcribbit, a mobile app to help students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder perform better in class by transcribing lectures in real time.

» Researchers in the College of Engineering created a handheld sensor capable of fast detection of a disease-related hormone in sweat whose levels are a marker for various cancers and other illnesses.

» Kimberly Truong, an Honors College student in engineering and science, was named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar, the top undergraduate award for students majoring in natural science, engineering or math.

» Provost Ed Feser was awarded the 2023 Martin Meyerson Award for Leadership in Higher Education, which recognizes significant national and international impacts on higher ed.

Four new podcast episodes with the 2023 Alumni Fellows

There is so much to learn from Oregon State’s 2023 Alumni Fellows. That’s why our online celebration with them earlier this month was only the start of the conversation! Our 12 honorees continue to share their stories of passion, innovation and leadership impacting Portland and the Pacific Northwest in four new conversations available for watching or listening.

EVENTS

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Spring Parent and Family Social | May 5

Beaver families, mingle and immerse yourself in university life at a fun spring social with the OSU Alumni Association and university leaders. Enjoy food and drinks and hear briefly from Executive Director of Student Experiences & Engagement Damoni Wright for great takeaways about how to help support your OSU student. The fun fits perfectly into your Spring Family Weekend, leading up to All-University Sing at Gill Coliseum — right across the street!

Public Health Insider helps you breathe easier | May 9

Asthma, allergens, air quality… oh my! You might be surprised where the top environmental risks originate from and how they can affect your health. In a Public Health Insider episode, College of Public Health and Human Sciences’ faculty share about common environmental exposure hazards and what steps you can take to improve health outcomes for everyone in your household.

The Beaver’s guide to life after college | April 27, May 3

In the transition from college to career, there are experts ready to help you find a path forward: our inspiring alumni community! Join upcoming Ask Alumni panels where you can ask questions and learn from the experiences of recent OSU graduates.

April 27 | Scientists with a Bachelor’s Degree | OSU College of Science
May 3 | Current Teacher Q&A: An Insider’s Guide to the Classroom | OSU College of Education
May 3 | Life After College | OSU Black Alumni and Friends Network

More events:

Changemakers: A conversation with Jarvez Hall, ’05 | May 2
Jarvez Hall discusses his journey to becoming director of the East Metro STEAM Partnership, one of Oregon’s 13 hubs providing technical support to school districts implementing STEAM programs.

College of Engineering Faculty Lecture Series: The Bayesian Approach to Inverse Problems | May 2
Assistant Professor Cory Simon explores the challenges of inverse problems — where solutions may not exist or be easily identified — and how Bayesian statistical intervention can help provide solutions.

OSU vs. Portland Pregame Baseball Tailgater | May 9
Meet up with Beaver fans at a fun pregame tailgater at Ron Tonkin Field; enjoy a tasty game day menu, Beaver swag and mingling before the first pitch.

Travel Talks: D-Day | May 10
Senior Instructor Paul Wanke discusses why D-Day was a critical turning point in World War II. Then, hear about a tour to visit historical wartime sites in Normandy, France, with the OSUAA Group Travel Program.

Coaches Clinic: The Sport Parent | May 17
The final session in the series explores the role of parents in youth sports and the responsibility coaches and parents share to create positive sporting experiences for kids.

Member shopping event: Columbia Sportswear Employee Stores | May 19 – June 11
Enjoy special access to savings of up to 50% off the latest Columbia apparel and accessories. Not an OSUAA member? Join online to access this perk.

Farm 2 Fork – Tiny Fish Co. | May 19
What does a path from chef to food entrepreneur look like? Find out with the OSU Department of Food Science and Technology and Sara Hauman, founder and owner of The Tiny Fish Co.

State of Diversity at Oregon State University | May 30
Join a reception to highlight and celebrate the work of many community members who worked to advance equity and justice at our university over this academic year.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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» OSU Football Head Coach Jonathan Smith, ’01, discusses building a positive team culture and his vision for Beaver Football’s growing momentum in Changemakers – A conversation with Coach Jonathan Smith.

» Get a taste of “la dolce vita” and two of the world’s most popular beverages in Travel Talks – Italian Wine and Coffee, featuring Elizabeth Tomasino from the Department of Food Science and Technology.

Bonus: Indulge your senses and enjoy Italian wine at a family-owned vineyard by booking a spot on the OSUAA Group Travel Program’s November 2023 tour, Apulia ~ Undiscovered Italy.

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