Your digital hub to stay connected to the OSU community.

Provost’s Lecture: An evening with Michael Pollan | April 2

For over 30 years, Michael Pollan has been writing about where human and natural worlds intersect: on our plates, in our farms and gardens, and in our minds. He is the author of nine books, seven being New York Times bestsellers — including his latest, This is Your Mind on Plants, an exploration of the powerful human attraction to psychoactive plants and the taboos we place on them. Join the Provost's Lecture in person or via livestream for a conversation between Pollan and Emily Ho, university distinguished professor of nutrition in the College of Health and endowed chair and director of the Linus Pauling Institute. A moderated Q&A with the audience will follow. This lecture is co-presented by the Office of the Provost and the OSU Foundation.

CAREER CONNECTIONS

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Every career has a starting line  

Since June 2023, OSU Connections has seen a surge in one-on-one alumni-student connections — the types of connections that make careers. Thank you to all OSU alumni generously sharing their time and career wisdom. Each one of you is building a future where every OSU student has direct access to alumni for unwavering career support!

Alumni breaking the mold: Andrew Boggs, ’23  

No two Oregon State stories are identical. Andrew Boggs’ college experience contained a gap year spent farming in New Zealand! Learn about his journey and how he carved out a distinct career path in agricultural economics with the help of a mentor found on OSU Connections.    

EVENTS

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Capture the moment with travel photography insights | March 12

Hold onto picture-perfect memories and deepen your connection to your next travel destination. Join the OSU Alumni Association’s Travel Talks series with Associate Professor Julia Bradshaw, an accomplished photo and video artist, and leave tonight’s event with skills to take great travel photos.

Provost’s Lecture with Diana B. Henriques: Why Financial History Matters | March 14

Diana B. Henriques is a financial journalist and bestselling, award-winning author. Her reach expands across multiple media, as her book investigating Bernie Madoff’s decades-long Ponzi scheme served as the basis for an HBO film and Netflix docuseries. This lecture is co-presented by the Office of the Provost and the OSU Foundation.

Alumni dive deep into ocean careers | April 10

Ever dreamt of a career submerged in the secrets of the ocean? Dive into the next Ask Alumni webcast and hear firsthand from OSU alumni thriving in marine science and conservation. Join senior researchers, marine mammal biologists and graduate students as they share the magic and challenges of working with whales, sharks and ocean ecology!

Dam Good Connections | Now – April 20

Be there to make some dam good connections as we bring Beaver alumni and friends together in your area! Beavers are gathering in Bend on March 14, followed by more cities across Oregon, California and Washington. Build your professional network, make friends, discuss career needs, meet fellow Beavers to catch a game with and anything in between.

Share wisdom and guidance with design students | April 20

Calling design professionals! Share your expertise, insights and passion with Oregon State’s design juniors and seniors at this casual mentoring opportunity in Portland and make a lasting impact on the next generation of creatives.

Beavers unite for OSU Days of Service | May 1 – 30

Whenever there is a need, Beavers are solving problems. During May, alumni, students and friends use their shared community spirit to make positive change. Lead or join a project that you’re passionate about and tell fellow Beavers about how they can join you in this special month of volunteer service.

More events: 

Homecoming Court applications open | Now – April 22
Online
Invite students you know to apply to become 2024-25 Homecoming Court Ambassadors, representing OSU at Homecoming and university events throughout the year and receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the OSU Alumni Association.

College of Engineering Virtual Faculty Lecture with Xue Jin | March 12
Online
With increasing water shortages, many agricultural producers are looking to reclaim water for irrigation. Faculty member Xue Jin will discuss the feasibility of a promising new process.

OSU Innovation & Design Network Industry Social | March 13
In person
Join an evening of networking and camaraderie where professionals from design fields come together to connect and collaborate in the Portland metro area.

Farm 2 Fork – How Tourism Protects “Food from the Sea” on The People’s Coast | March 15
Online
Join the Department of Food Science and Technology with Marcus Hinz, executive director of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association, as he discusses the impact of the Oregon Coast's culinary reputation and explores solutions for a more locally sourced seafood experience.

College of Engineering Graduate Research Showcase | April 5
In person and online
Join a sneak preview of tomorrow’s technology presented by rising leaders of industry and academia. The showcase will feature live research micro-presentations from 11 engineering students on a variety of topics, followed by a reception to chat with the presenters.

The Wonder and the Worry: Alumni Night | April 18
In person
Don't miss the Oregon premiere of The Wonder and the Worry, a captivating documentary following the intertwined careers of Chris Johns, '74, former National Geographic editor-in-chief, and his daughter Louise, a working freelance photographer. The tale of environmental storytelling and digital disruption will be followed by a panel discussion.

BEAVERS DOING THE UNBELIEVABLE

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» Oregon State researchers discovered a ‘Goldilocks’ chemical element that can react with and bind to carbon dioxide, a breakthrough for efforts to scrub the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.

» OSU President Jayathi Murthy is a 2024 Portland Business Journal Women of Influence Award honoree. The award recognizes established business leaders with a strong record of innovation, outstanding performance in business and a clear track record of meaningful community involvement. Congratulations, President Murthy!

» College of Agricultural Sciences bee expert Ramesh Sagili has been appointed to a new USDA pollinator subcommittee, a panel that will promote the health of the honeybee industry and native pollinators.

» The U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Xochitl Torres Small, toured the College of Forestry’s A.A. “Red” Emmerson Advanced Wood Products Laboratory and learned about its work with mass timber, an engineered alternative building material. She also engaged directly with OSU President Jayathi Murthy and student leaders from unique student organizations like MANRRS, Cultivating Change, Juntos and 4-H.

» Jonathan Hurst, co-founder of Agility Robotics and the OSU Robotics Institute, will keynote the Robotics Summit & Expo this May.

Oregon State advocates, including OSU President Jayathi Murthy, provided a strong OSU presence in Salem during University Day!

SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS

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Voicing support for student-athletes

Thanks to an unprecedented effort by our volunteer advocates, OSU secured a one-time $10 million scholarship allocation for student-athletes, despite significant challenges. Together, supporters from every Oregon district sent a total of more than 10,000 emails to legislators and the governor, while dozens more — wearing their best orange — attended legislative hearings, lobby days and meetings with legislators in their districts.

This is the moment to support Oregon State | April 24

The big day is almost here! Dam Proud Day 2024 is Oregon State University's fifth annual day of giving, when Beavers everywhere support what they believe in most at OSU. Will you help create lifelong connections to the university and resources for alumni and student success by supporting the OSU Alumni Association Excellence Fund?

Want to be a Dam Proud Day champion? Become an ambassador! Help spread the word about the projects you love and make a greater impact on Dam Proud Day. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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» In Ask Alumni: U.S. job search tips for international students and alumni, learn from an immigration attorney along with alumni who have successfully navigated the journey themselves.

» Learn about the diverse career paths you can take with a psychology degree from a panel of graduates in this Ask Alumni webcast with the School of Psychological Science.

FUN FOR MINI-BEAVS

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OSU's hatch cam livestream is eggs-tra cute

For a week each spring, the world loves to watch baby chickens hatch from their eggs via OSU Extension’s hatch cam livestream. After they hatch and are ready, the chicks go home with 4-H members who care for them and show them at the county and state fairs. Sign up to be one of the first to know when the hatch cam is live!

OSUAA members earn special discounts on Beavers merchandise and support student scholarships at the same time. Learn more.