Your digital hub to stay connected to the OSU community.

BEaver KIND notes for the Class of 2024

Do you remember what it felt like as you neared graduation day? All the thrill and pride and “what’s next” of the moment? Send a short encouraging note to Oregon State’s Class of 2024 and share your congratulations or a tidbit of wisdom you’ve picked up through years of living and learning.

More ways to support new grads:
» Encourage the graduating students in your life to get free tickets to OSU Grad Night, an unforgettable last hurrah — this year with a fun retro theme!

» Remind them they’ll receive a free one-year OSU Alumni Association membership, which provides amazing perks: discounts at 300,000+ retailers, restaurants and attractions; exclusive shopping events; travel savings; OSU game ticket drawings and more.

EVENTS

• • • • •

Get whisked away with Travel Talks | April 9 – June 4

Every episode is a new journey in Travel Talks. Guest speakers — alumni, faculty, travel experts and more — give you a richer sense of your next destination. Get swept away to glittering holiday markets (tonight!), majestic mountains, the world of seafood and the ancient Mediterranean in upcoming episodes.

Explore the possibilities of your career | April 10 – May 15

Unlock a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration in the Ask Alumni webcasts. Alumni share stories and collective wisdom to guide fellow Beavers in their professional and academic success.

• April 10 – Deep Dive into Careers with Whales, Sharks, and Ocean Ecology – College of Agricultural Sciences
• May 1 – Health Equity – College of Health
• May 1 – Science Pathways with a Bachelor's Degree – College of Science
• May 15 – Celebrating Diversity in Teaching – College of Education
  
  

Dam Good Connections heads to California | April 18 – 20

Beavers from San Diego, Orange County and the LA Metro, immerse yourself in an ecosystem of fun, opportunity and connection. Mingle with fellow Beavs at a casual Dam Good Connections gathering near you. With nearly 20,000 Beaver alumni living in these three areas combined, SoCal is a fantastic place to find your people. Our last event in Beaverton sold out, so don’t wait!

Beaver parents and families welcome | May 3

Whether your family is new to university life or goes back several generations with Oregon State, there’s no better way to ensure both you and your student get the most out of the OSU experience than connecting with fellow Beaver families. Join the OSU Alumni Association’s Spring Parent and Family Social, plus a pre-reception for families of first-generation students.

More events:

Global Futures Forum: Artificial Intelligence | Now – April 12
In person and online
Discover OSU’s innovative research and thought leadership in artificial intelligence at the inaugural Global Futures Forum, which aims to foster dialogue among OSU and external leaders to address societal, industrial and governmental challenges. This forum will kick off with a conversation between OSU alumnus Jen-Hsun Huang, ’84, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, and OSU President Jayathi Murthy.

Homecoming Court applications open | Now – April 22
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.

Student Alumni Ambassador applications open | Now – April 29
Encourage students to apply to become Student Alumni Ambassadors with the OSUAA, receiving a $2,000 scholarship and developing leadership skills in a one-of-a-kind student cohort.

Science Pub at OSU-Cascades: Sneaker Waves and Tsunamis | April 16
In person
Join Pedro Lomonaco, director of OSU’s Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, to explore wave types and the physical process of their movement, waves as natural hazards and as a source of clean energy and the impact of 50 years of research in the Hinsdale Lab.

The Wonder and the Worry: Alumni Night | April 18
In person
See the newly opened Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) and view a captivating documentary following the intertwined careers of a family of photographic storytellers: former National Geographic editor-in-chief Chris Johns, ’74, and his daughter Louise. A panel discussion will follow.

Farm 2 Fork: Cultivating Opportunity in the Willamette Valley | April 19
Online
Join OSU’s Department of Food Science and Technology to learn how the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) is driving economic growth in the Willamette Valley, supporting local businesses, entrepreneurs and food startups.

OSU Pet Day | May 4
In person
Pet Day is created, organized and staffed by students in the OSU Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine — their way of giving back to the community and continuing a legacy of public service at the college.

OSUAA Member and Class of 2024 Shopping at the Nike Company Store | May 5
In person
Get exclusive access to shop at the Nike Company Store for 40% off the retail price of most merchandise, plus mingle with fellow Beavers over light snacks, Nike gift card prize drawings and more.

OSU In Memoriam | May 6
In person and online
The annual In Memoriam honors recently deceased Oregon State University community members. This event will feature poetry, live music and activities for reflection and healing.

2024 University Distinguished Professors Lectures and Reception | May 8
In person
Celebrate those awarded OSU’s highest faculty honor in 2024 and learn about their unique and globally impactful work: Todd Palmer, University Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering, and Małgorzata Peszyńska, University Distinguished Professor of Mathematics and the Joel Davis Faculty Scholar in Mathematics.

Our Health& Transportation Noise | May 29
Ever considered how noise pollution affects your well-being? Join Our Health& to explore the long-term health implications of transportation noise with College of Health faculty.

OSU Days of Service | May

Last year, over 260 volunteers around the world contributed more than 800 volunteer hours for the OSU Day of Service! "Talking, walking and cleaning our beautiful nature with OSU Korean alumni and other international students in Korea was an amazing experience," said Seung-uk Ko, M.S. ’01, Ph.D. ’07, who joined a group of Beavers picking up litter while jogging (aka “plogging”) along Ungcheon Beach. It’s wonderful to see how our community members care for the health of people and the environment by weaving service into everyday activities and routines. How will you make a difference with fellow Beavs this May?

Proudly sponsored by your local Toyota Dealers, Aztec Embroidery & Screenprinting and OCCU.

Celebrate five years of Beaver spirit on Dam Proud Day | April 24

Did you know that the traditional fifth anniversary gift is wood? How fitting for Beaver Nation! Join the OSU community for virtual and in-person events and by making a gift online on OSU’s fifth annual Dam Proud Day. Support for the OSU Alumni Association Excellence Fund provides vital support for alumni and students and keeps the Oregon State spirit vibrant and ever-growing.

» Cole A., an OSU-Cascades business administration student, wants OSUAA supporters to know: “I am determined to make the most of this opportunity and use my education to make a positive impact in my community and beyond.”

BEAVERS DOING THE UNBELIEVABLE

• • • • •

» With the support of a $1.2 million grant from NOAA, Oregon State researchers, led by assistant professor Jessica Garwood in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, will collaborate with industry and Tribal partners on a project to enhance ocean oxygen monitoring sensors, to provide real-time ocean condition data, crucial for crabbers and fisheries managers.

» Dr. Michael Huber, a 37-year veteran of OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, was honored with the President's Award from the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association for his exceptional contributions to the profession.

» Congratulations to Oregon State University's 2023-24 PRAx fellows. These undergraduate and graduate students were selected to spearhead interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of art, science, engineering and the humanities, showcasing innovation and creativity across a diverse range of fields and mediums.

» Oregon State, led by Ph.D. student researcher Christina Aragon, has introduced new technology that provides a more precise measurement of snowpack water storage, crucial for understanding water resources, especially in areas like Oregon facing increasing snowpack variability due to climate change.

» In an Oregon State course designed in collaboration with the University of Oregon’s Department of Architecture, OSU students recently designed a sustainable park shelter prototype, addressing the demand for affordable, rapidly deployable structures designed to minimize waste.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• • • • •

» Our Health& Sustainable travel explored the future of travel; its economic, environmental and cultural impacts; and how sustainable travel practices can ensure a positive experience for generations.

» Assistant Professor Julia Bradshaw joined Travel Talks to share lessons on taking exceptional travel photos so you can capture your best memories.

» Bestselling author and sustainable food advocate Michael Pollan joined the Provost’s Lecture series for an in-depth conversation on his career as a foremost voice writing about plants, food and agriculture.

ATHLETICS

•    •    •    •    •

» An elite season for Women’s Basketball: Congratulations to the Women’s Basketball team, whose season ended at the Elite Eight as one of the best in school history. The Beavs had a 14-win year-to-year turnaround by going from 13 to 27 victories.

» Program record for event titles: Named Regional Champion in three separate events at the University of Arkansas last week, gymnast Jade Carey officially surpassed the program record for event titles, winning her 117th to take sole possession of first place in Beaver gymnastics history.

» A pair of titles for Men’s Golf: Jackson Lake claimed the individual title at the Seattle Redhawk Invitational while the Beavers claimed the team title with one of the best three-round finishes in school history.

FUN FOR MINI BEAVS

•    •    •    •    •

PRAx brings fun for all ages

On April 6, the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) opened its doors to great excitement and fanfare, and its inaugural season is underway. Did you know that PRAx is partnered with OSU KidSpirit to offer a supervised program for kids four years and older? That means an evening at PRAx is a fun time for the whole family!

Brought to you by OSU Connections

Surround yourself with inspiration when you join OSU Connections — a private and secure online networking platform built just for Beaver alumni. Find your friends and former classmates, search for jobs, connect with a community of mentors or share your own expertise. Join today.