Through OSU Statewide, on-site teaching and personalized instruction bring together credit, noncredit, and research activities, incorporating Distance and Continuing Education, OSU Extension Service, Agricultural Experiment Station, and Forest Research Laboratory, along with high school outreach and other programs to address the educational needs of people anywhere in the state.
One exceptional offering through OSU Statewide is a complete bachelor's degree program on the Warm Springs Reservation. The program, sponsored by the GTE foundation, allows Native American students to complete all course requirements without having to leave the reservation -- a development that tribal leaders and educators herald as a milestone in helping to resolve personal conflict tribal members have had in preserving their cultural participation while leaving home to earn a higher education.
OSU also reaches out to the state through its Austin Family Business Program. Directed by Pat Frishkoff, professor of business, the program is a nationally recognized leader in helping small businesses. More than 93 percent of Oregon businesses are family-owned, making it the top small-business state in the nation.
Computer Science Professor Cherri Pancake, director of the OSU-based Northwest Alliance for Computational Science and Engineering, is a leader in the University's nationally recognized technology development programs.
Building upon that core of networks and high performance computers, OSU was the only university in the Pacific Northwest invited to participate in the National Science Foundation's new $30 million National Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure (NPACI), playing a unique role in that alliance by developing new World Wide Web software. The software created at OSU will enable scientists from throughout the nation to access high capacity computers and networks to solve large, complex national problems like climate and weather prediction, and the development of sophisticated drugs.
As access to public higher education grows, there is increasing need for universities like Oregon State to build new partnerships with Oregon's communities, private enterprise, and other groups representing targeted interests. Within the past year, internship and targeted noncollege-level programs have grown, new linkages have been formed with industrial firms, and private gift funding has increased.
Private giving is often an indicator of a university's long-term relationships with various constituencies. For OSU, those relationships have grown to record levels in the 1990s. The OSU Foundation passed the one-half billion dollar mark in receipts as it celebrated its 50th year this fall. In fiscal 1997, total assets reached nearly $275 million.
Gladys Liebbrand Valley, who died during the past year at the age of 91, was one of OSU's most prominent alumnae and philanthropists. Her association with OSU spanned more than 70 years, and she forged a unique legacy with the University as a student, staff member, parent, friend, and benefactor. Gifts from the Valley family supported numerous OSU projects, including the new Valley Library.
Bernie Newcomb exemplifies the special affection OSU has among former students. After graduating in 1965, Newcomb never forgot how important Oregon State had been in his life and career. His gift, valued at $6.1 million, became the largest stock gift ever presented to the University. Earnings will support programs in OSU's College of Business, including the Newcomb Family Scholars. Seventeen scholarships were awarded to incoming OSU freshmen in the fall. Eventually, 40 students will receive the awards.
OSU's Agricultural Extension Service contributes $200 million annually to Oregon's economy, according to software developed by the College of Agricultural Sciences. Named a "best practices" model by the Canadian-U.S. Pacific Northwest Economic Region, the "Oregon Invests" database is attracting national interest.
In addition to the administrative leadership, the University boasts quality athletes who add to the renewed optimism. OSU's student-athletes gained recognition in 1997 for achievement in the classroom and in the community, as well as on the field. OSU is among the top schools in the nation for graduation rates of scholarship athletes.
OSU and Linn-Benton Community College in Albany pioneered a joint admission program for students in agriculture, business, and engineering. The OSU-LBCC partnership is a prototype of the University's growing alliance with Oregon community colleges.
The Scientist Education Partnership, created four years ago in Corvallis to help K-12 students gain better exposure to science in elementary and secondary schools, was expanded to statewide participation in the past year.
Oregonians in the northeastern part of the state gain greater access to agricultural education through a Tri-State Degree program jointly offered by OSU, Eastern Oregon University, Blue Mountain and Treasure Valley Community Colleges, the University of Idaho, and Washington State University.
The nation's first winter durum wheat, "Connie," developed by OSU wheat breeder Warren Kronstad, is being tested on 12 commercial fields this year. The new variety could boost sagging wheat prices for Northwest growers. Durums, prized for pastas, bring a $1 to $2 per bushel premium over soft winter wheats commonly grown in Oregon and other Northwest states.
Researchers from OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine identified the first case of infectious coryza in Oregon, helping the state's poultry industry keep the disease from spreading and causing economic loss to a vital agricultural industry.
In September, OSU's College of Business began offering a distance education degree in business administration. The pilot program, known as Business One, is available at five Oregon community colleges.
Wildlife Stewards, a program originated by OSU 4H Extension, has grown to 22 schools in the Portland and Salem areas. The program encourages school officials, parents, volunteers, and students to create natural study areas on school grounds.
Quick work by OSU veterinary experts reaffirmed the safety of Oregon straw as feed for overseas importers, preserved Oregon's $350 million export industry, and gave Oregon grass seed growers a new $50 million market in Japan for leftover straw.
Displaced forestry workers or their children from Douglas County will benefit from a gift by Mrs. Helen Carlson of Roseburg. Proceeds from the sale of a woodland tract she gave to OSU will establish an endowment, estimated at $1 million, for scholarships and fellowships in Forestry.
In spring sports, OSU teams ranked among the best in the country. The 1998 Beaver baseball team was ranked 25th, posted a 10-game win streak, and won its 1,600th game. Men's golf placed in the top 10 in eight of 12 tournaments. Women's golf ranked 22nd in the nation, while women's softball set a school record with eight Pac-10 victories and national ranking for much of the season.
OSU wrestlers were second in the Pac-10 and tied for ninth in the NCAA championships. Oscar Wood and Jason Buce earned All-America honors.
The University's highly ranked women's golf team joined with the Corvallis Police Department to co-sponsor an annual golf benefit for Oregon Special Olympics. The team's coach, Rise Laskowske, was named Far West District Coach of the Year.
Letter from the President
Top Tier University
Compelling Learning Experience
Statewide Campus
New Facilities
Toward the 21st Century
Financial Summary
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