Today is the two year anniversary of Linus Pauling Day which was officially celebrated February 28, 2006. While the State of Oregon only recognizes the single day, we at Oregon State celebrate our most famous alumnus every year at this time.

Linus Pauling is the only individual to win two unshared Nobel Prizes; the first in 1954 (Chemistry) for his groundbreaking work with the chemical bond. The second in 1962 (Peace) was due to his activism in stopping above ground nuclear weapons testing.

Dr. Pauling’s connection to OSU, even after leaving campus, remained strong. After all, it was his alma mater. He was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, a Professor of Chemistry as an undergraduate and met the love of his life, Ava Helen, here.

When Pauling had to decide where he and Ava’s papers would reside after his death he chose OSU over the Smithsonian and several other reputable museums. If you ever have a chance to go see the Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers, do it! Everything from Ava & Linus’ lives is there…Including Dr. Pauling’s actual Nobel Prizes. Holding the Nobel Prizes, one in each hand, is a powerful and almost surreal experience.

The legacy of Linus Pauling’s work is continued at the Linus Pauling Institute which has just recently been awarded a six million dollar grant from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The LPI also recently unveiled plans for a state of the art research facility on campus.

Recently, plans were unveiled by the Postal Service to feature Linus Pauling on a postage stamp:

Dr. Pauling is one of only three or four Oregonians to be featured alone on a stamp. The stamp features blood molecules in the background signifying Pauling’s groundbreaking work in linking Sickle Cell Anemia to a genetic disorder.

In case it wasn’t evident, we are very proud that Linus Pauling is an Oregon Stater! We hope you will join us in celebrating his legacy today. Don’t hesitate to add to the discussion with comments or questions!

-jm

It’s USA TODAY’s privilege to recognize a new generation of achievers, young men and women with a clear commitment to excellence,” USA TODAY editor Ken Paulson says.

The entire OSU community was overjoyed to see that one of our very own students, Tari Tan, a senior in Biochemistry/Biophysics was named to the second team. Tari is one of fifty or so undergraduates from across the US to be named to the team.

Tari Tan, Oregon State University; home, Salem, Ore.; major, biochemistry/biophysics; research on role of prolactin in rams’ sexual preference.

A quick story: we had an OSU Night program here in Corvallis yesterday evening. Our keynote speaker was Indira Rajagopal one of Tari’s professors in Biochem/Biophys. When Indira spoke of Tari’s honor, you could see the pride on her face. It is obvious that this isn’t just an individual award…Tari’s professors, fellow students and the entire OSU community are standing up to cheer for her today!

This is really what it’s all about, folks! We can harp and harp about the benefits of being an undergraduate at one of America’s finest research universities but the proof is ultimately in the pudding. Our students are out there doing amazing things!

That’s all for now! Don’t forget to comment.

Be well and stay real!

-jm

Kevin Ahern, a senior instructor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Oregon State University, has received the Mentor Award from the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon. In their press release:

This year’s Mentor Award honors Oregon State University’s Kevin Ahern, Ph.D. As a Senior Instructor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and member of the university’s Premedical Committee, Dr. Ahern has played a role in teaching and inspiring thousands of Oregon State students preparing for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, and other health and science professions. Students and colleagues alike consistently laud Dr. Ahern’s ingenious and energetic approach to teaching highly challenging subjects and his engaged, proactive approach to academic advising. His unique commitment to Oregon’s medical education pipeline has helped Oregon State’s premedical graduates achieve a near-perfect record of medical school acceptance. Beyond the classroom, he serves as director of OSU’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Program, enhancing the research training and experiences of hundreds of students exploring careers in biomedical science. His passion for science and learning extends to the international stage, where he contributes lively writings to widely read publications such as Genetic Engineering News and BioTechniques.

Dawn Wright, an Oregon State University professor of geography and oceanography, has been named Oregon Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. On their website:

The U.S. Professors of the Year program salutes the most outstanding undergraduate instructors in the country—those who excel in teaching and positively influence the lives and careers of students. Sponsored by CASE and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, it is the only national program to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.

Wright (a.k.a. “Deepsea Dawn”) is one of forty faculty members to receive the award in individual states and the District of Columbia and has been a professor of Geography and Oceanography at OSU since 1995.

Carl Schreck, an Oregon State University scientist and researcher in Fisheries and Wildlife, will receive a national award in April at the White House. As one of the leading salmon researchers in the nation, Shreck is honored as recipient of a Meritorious Presidential Rank Award. The award is given to a small number of senior leaders by the president each year. According to their website:

Each year, the President recognizes and celebrates a small group of career Senior Executives with the President’s Rank Award for exceptional long-term accomplishments. Beginning with awards granted in 2003, eligibility for this award is extended to other categories of high-performing senior career employees. Winners of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals, and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service.

–mko