Skip Rochefort, Associate Professor in the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, has been chosen as OSU’s 2013 Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year.  The award, which was created to recognize outstanding, sustained faculty mentorship of undergraduate research and scholarship, was announced at the Celebrating Undergraduate Excellent Symposium, which was held on the Memorial Union Quad. Rochefort has had significant interactions with 80 OSU undergraduates over the past 15 years.  He takes an active role in recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups into STEM fields, in particular engineering.

Rochefort pioneered a mentoring pyramid model that starts with his own involvement and extends to post-docs, graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school students.  He founded the Summer Experience in Science and Engineering for Youth (SESEY) program in 1997 and this program has served over 600 high school students from groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering.  Rochefort also is one of the most active mentors in the Saturday Academy Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering Program, which provides an eight-week summer research experience for high school students.  He has personally mentored over 30 students in this program.

Undergraduate Researcher of the Year

Justin Biel is OSU’s first Undergraduate Researcher of the Year.  A senior honors student in biochemistry/biophysics, Biel has done research at OSU with Andy Karplus and Elisar Barbar.  He participated in the HHMI Summer undergraduate research program and plans a research career in biophysics.

Other students recognized as outstanding undergraduate researchers of their respective colleges include:

Alyssa Hersh – College of Public Health and Human Sciences

Alejandra Marquez-Loza – College of Agriculture

Hannah Mahoney – College of Liberal Arts

Jade Montgomery – College of Engineering

Trevor Waldien – CEOAS

River Wiedle – College of Science

Finalists for the awards for the respective colleges included

Elliott Jardin – College of Liberal Arts

Selina Liu – College of Science

Honorable Mentions included

Ann Bernart – College of Agriculture

Sara Fassio – College of Science

Nathan Hinkle – College of Engineering

Matt Kaiser – College of Science

Kimberly Melendez Rivera – BRR (interdisciplinary)

Afina Neunzert – College of Science

Olivia Paradis – Public Health and Human Sciences

Erin Peterson – College of Agriculture

Nini Tran – College of Science

Peter Wong – College of Science

Research Equipment Reserve Fund

The Research Office received 11 proposals for the Research Equipment Reserve Fund (RERF) Spring 2013 solicitation with requests totaling $381,311. After review and evaluation the Research Council provided the Research Office with a prioritized list of proposals recommended for funding. The Vice President for Research has approved 5 proposals for funding with combined budgets of $260,846.

The following proposals have been selected for funding:

• Kutzler, Michelle (Dept. of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Inverted Stage Fluorescence Microscope with Imaging”
• O’Malley, Kathleen (Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station/Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Replacement of an Imaging System Critical to Genetic Research”
• Schilke, Karl (School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering): “Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring (QCM-D)”
• Stieger-Vanegas, Susanne (Dept. of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine): “VLAXS Veterinary Large Animal X-Ray System”
• Wing, Michael (Dept. of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management, College of Forestry): “LiDAR Aerial System”

The three women who will be honored with the Women of Achievement awards impressed the committee for having gone above and beyond in their commitment to equity and success of OSU students and women in the greater community.

They have a demonstrated commitment to equality, and dedication to furthering the lives of women, especially those of OSU students, are engaged in work that has positively affected the lives of women, and have served as a role model in the lives of girls and/or women.

The OSU Women’s Center Student Leader awardees are Maria Nguyen, Julie Stewart, Britton Goodale and Elba Moise.

The four students who will be honored with the Student Leader awards, stood out among more than 40 other nominations for their outstanding contributions of scholarship, leadership, and service in their lives including their time at OSU.

They excelled in course work, contributed to their field through research or published works, have taken on leadership roles in clubs or organizations and are trusted and dependable student workers in labs, departments, or elected offices.

Parcella Provence, who will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement award, will be honored for her consistent commitment and dedication to ideals of OSU and empowerment of its community member. Parcella will be retiring from OSU this year. She served OSU in various positions including as a staff member at the Women’s Center and later on its Advisory Board as a member and co-chair. 

For more information: womenscenter@oregonstate.edu

Janet Webster

OLA Distinguished Service Award

The Oregon Library Association has awarded Janet Webster, Hatfield Marine Science Center Head Librarian, the 2013 OLA Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to an Oregon librarian or library staff member for exceptional service over many years. Webster is being recognized for her decades of outstanding leadership in a wide array of community and library organizations.

She has been a particularly effective advocate for federal, state and local policy and legislation which allows libraries to better serve  their communities. The OLA awards are announced each year at the association’s annual conference (held this year as a joint conference with the Washington Library Association). OLA is the state association of library professionals comprised of 1200 members pursuing a mission to promote and to advance library service through public and professional education and cooperation.

OSU Retirement Association (OSURA) Awards 5 Scholarships for 2013-4

At OSURA’s Annual Meeting and Members Social on May 8, five undergrads were awarded $1,000 scholarships to support careers improving healthy aging: Michael Boyd, Pre-Pharmacy; Deepthika Ennamuri, Biochemistry/Biophysics; Claire Ostertag-Hill, Biology; David Shumway, Biology, and Kaitlyn Traynor, General Science (Pre dentistry). For more information, visit osura@oregonstate.edu

General Research Fund (GRF) Spring 2013 Award Announcement

After review and evaluation the Faculty Senate Research Council provided the Research Office with a prioritized list of proposals. The Vice President for Research has approved funding for the following six proposals.

Alcantar, Benjamin (Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine): “Comparing Immunological Strategies and Life Spans in Diverse Ungulate Species”

Jander, Albrecht (School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering): “Advanced Spin-Caloritronic Materials for Thermo-Electric Energy Scavenging”

Mustacich, Debbie (Linus Pauling Institute): “Role of Atypical Deoxy-Sphingoid Bases in Secondary Spinal Cord Injury”

Sagili, Ramesh (Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Understanding Colony Level Prevalence and Intensity of Honey Bee Gut Parasite (Nosema ceranae) and Investigating effects of Colony Nutrition on Persistence of Nosema in Honey Bee Colonies”

Sikora, Aleksandra (Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy): “Evaluation of the Conserved Proteins in the Cell Envelope and Membrane Vesicles of Neisseria gonorrhoeae as Putative Vaccine Candidates”

Silveira, Jason (Dept. of Music, College of Liberal Arts): “Physiological Responses to Music Performance Stimuli”

Faculty Release Time

The Research Office received three proposals for the Faculty Release Time (FRT) Spring 2012-13 solicitation with requests totaling $16,000. After review and evaluation the Vice President for Research has approved the three proposals for funding.

The following proposals have been selected for funding:

·       Bobe, Gerd (Dept. of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Dietary Dry Beans for Obesity Prevention and Treatment”

·       Lopez-Cevallos, Daniel (School of Language, Culture, and Society, College of Liberal Arts): “Visual Health among Farmworkers in Oregon”

·       Pollard, Christine (Dept. of Exercise and Sport Science, OSU-Cascades): “Lower Extremity Mechanics following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Implications for Modified Rehabilitation Protocols and Return to Activity Criteria”

Barometer awards

The Daily Barometer reporter Grady Garrett was recognized with a Pacific Northwest regional first-place award for sports column writing in this year’s Society of Professional Journalism Mark of Excellence contest. His work will go on to be judged nationally alongside winners from 11 other regions.  SPJ’s Pacific Northwest, region 10 includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Daily Barometer was honored in the regional contest with a third-place award for best large-circulation daily student newspaper. Other awards went to Don Iler for general column writing and news reporting (second place) and to Neil Abrew for photo illustration (third place).

Dawn Wright

Esri’s chief scientist, Dawn J. Wright has received the Distinguished Teaching Honors of the Association of American Geographers (AAG), the highest award offered by the association. Esri provides more than 7,000 universities worldwide with GIS software for teaching and research.
AAG honors for 2013 were conferred on Wright April 13 at the AAG Annual Meeting in Los Angeles during a special awards luncheon. This is the second time in the past year that AAG has recognized Wright’s contributions to science and education. She also received the organization’s Presidential Achievement Award for making long-standing and distinguished contributions to the discipline of geography.
“AAG has been a force in advancing geographic science,” Wright. said “I am inspired by my fellow professors who are using geographic technologies in the classroom to help students understand the world’s diverse cultures, environments, and challenges. These educators are laying the foundation for the next generation to design plans for a more balanced, harmonious planet.”

While serving as Esri’s chief scientist, Wright retains her position as professor of geosciences at Oregon State University. She views herself as a scientist working within and between the areas of geographic information science, marine science, and ocean informatics. She is a leader in her outreach to a larger community, including her interactions with schoolchildren and her interest in encouraging more young women to pursue careers in science. Wright’s professional seagoing experience is remarkable and affords her the opportunity to bring firsthand experience into the classroom, a critical element of successful teaching.

Barth named Fellow by Oceanography Society

Mark Abbott (left) presents the 2013 TOS Fellow citation to Jack Barth. Dean Abbott is President of The Oceanography Society.

Jack Barth was named 2013 Fellow by The Oceanography Society. He is recognized for his contributions and sustained leadership in all aspects of continental shelf oceanography, and for his commitment to community service. The TOS Fellow award recognizes individuals who have attained eminence in oceanography through their outstanding contributions to the field of oceanography or its applications during a substantial period of years.

Barth is Professor of Physical Oceanography and Associate Dean for Research at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. He will be formally recognized during the Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 23–28, 2014 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Christina Flynn with UABC.

Christina Flynn with the University Administration Business Center has been recognized as the Professional Faculty Leadership Association’s April 2013 ‘Our Hero.’

Flynn was surprised with the award during a meeting on April 25. Her nominees cited her willingness to go above and beyond in providing accurate answers and for her assistance with hiring and recruiting.

“Your friendliness and can-do attitude is appreciated,” her nominator wrote. “You genuinely care about your customers and your colleagues and it is reflected in your prompt responses to questions and with your follow-up on where a request is in the process. You are patient and dedicated to the work that you provide to the departments and to the OSU community.”

Flynn received a certificate and a flowering plant.

Kerry Thomas has been selected as a 2013 Certificate of Merit recipient in the Primary Advising category

Kevin Ahern has been selected as the recipient of the NACADA 2013 Outstanding Faculty Advising Award.

Lastly, Susie Brubaker-Cole was nominated by Brett McFarland  for the Michael C. Holen Pacesetter Award.  The Michael C. Holen Pacesetter Award recognizes Executive Officers, Provosts and Academic or Student Affairs Officers who exemplify a commitment to academic advising and are true advocates for advising, students, and advisors across the institution. Competition for this award is very strong, so while we as a community know how deserving she is of this award, it is even more exciting to know that NACADA also recognizes her outstanding service to OSU and has honored her with the award.

The award recognizes an innovative program, promotion or product created by an organization, business, community or region in Oregon that exemplifies best practices, sustainability and creative problem solving. The award was given to the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association and OSU-Cascades.

After decades without a four-year tourism and hospitality degree program in the state, the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association spearheaded an effort with a group of tourism leaders and Oregon State University — Cascades, to raise funds towards the development of a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at the Bend campus. Currently, the campus offers an option in hospitality management within its business administration program. Campus officials anticipate the bachelor’s degree will be offered beginning in summer 2014.

“We’re grateful for ORLA’s leadership and vision in helping us recreate a hospitality management degree at OSU-Cascades and pleased to share this award with them,” said OSU-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson. Johnson was in Salem to receive the award. “The support and the generosity of many hospitality businesses will allow us to attract students and faculty, and provide interns and graduates for the state’s lodging and restaurant industries.”

Companies, organizations and individuals from Central Oregon, as well as the Willamette Valley and the rest of the state, donated to the initiative. Leading Central Oregon hospitality businesses and representatives who provided gifts include Bennington Properties, Black Butte Ranch, Tom and Stacy Leursen, Navis, Inc., Sunriver Resort and The Oxford Hotel Group, whose $50,000 gift capped the fundraising effort.

According to Travel Oregon, the annual awards recognize people and organizations across the state that go the extra mile to enhance the tourism and hospitality industry in Oregon. Nominated by peers, the award recipients are outstanding examples of professionals who, by virtue of their vision, perseverance and dedication, are a credit to Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industry.

~ Christine Coffin

Jimmy Kagan (left) of the Oregon Biodiversity Information Center receives the 2013 Network Collaboration Award from NatureServe president and CEO Mary Klein (right)

The Institute for Natural Resources’ (INR) Oregon Biodiversity Information Center (ORBIC) has received the 2013 Network Collaboration Award at the NatureServe network’s annual Biodiversity Without Boundaries conference in Baltimore. Oregon State University is INR’s headquarters. The work being honored began at OSU and is now split between OSU and Portland State University.

The honor recognizes ORBIC’s leadership in engaging network members in efforts to develop innovative conservation data and information. ORBIC is one of three members of the NatureServe network whose achievements earned the recognition from their peers this year.

“This award recognizes the steady stream of energy and innovation that ORBIC brings to the network,” said Mary Klein, president and CEO of NatureServe. “They consistently identify opportunities to address cross-cutting issues and develop pragmatic solutions through inventive methods and partnerships.”

“Oregon always works to try to implement new ideas, and ORBIC is fortunate to have experienced and dedicated staff willing to try new things,” said Jimmy Kagan, director of ORBIC. Kagan has a half-time appointment at OSU. “However, the ability to work with other programs across the country, and take advantage of their expertise and innovations with NatureServe’s support, has become a major reason for our recent successes.”

ORBIC’s persistence, cooperation, and coordination over several years enlisted more than 20 network members as state data stewards for the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US). Network engagements on PAD-US with partners like USGS, the Conservation Biology Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and the GreenInfo Network also contributed to establishing NatureServe’s subsequent role in coordinating funding and participation for developing the National Conservation Easement Database.

ORBIC also works to enhance network contributions toward improvements in transportation decision-making. A TRB-funded research project led by Oregon State University, INR and ORBIC engaged staff from NatureServe and network members from five states. The effort produced a guide and framework that provides methods, data, tools, and case studies to support integrated conservation and transportation planning. Building on both existing conservation methodologies and the existing transportation planning process, the guide incorporates ecologically based assessments and ecosystem services considerations while addressing such projects’ complex implementation-stage compliance issues. By piloting comprehensive wetland catalogues and state-level species distribution modeling, the project has generated strong federal interest in scaling the framework up to the regional and national level due to the resulting improved environmental outcomes and faster project delivery.

ORBIC also led the establishment of a consortium of biodiversity distribution modeling centers, enlisting participation from NatureServe and 13 different U.S. network members. Although other efforts are underway for particular jurisdictions, this collaboration is unique in its focus on range-wide species distribution and habitat models that span multiple jurisdictions. These range-wide maps are particularly important in assisting landowners, land managers and decision-makers.

Roses bloom in front of Gilkey Hall on the Oregon State University campus. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Oregon State University received 98 points out of a possible 99 as a ‘green’ school in the latest edition of “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition.” The schools are chosen based on a 50-question survey conducted at hundreds of four-year colleges.

The Princeton Review analyzes data from the survey about the schools’ course offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation to measure their commitment to the environment and to sustainability.

“The OSU community has once again demonstrated a high level of interest in and competency around sustainability,” said Brandon Trelstad, OSU’s sustainability coordinator.

The 215-page guide is the only free comprehensive resource of its kind. It can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide and www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide.  It does not rank schools hierarchically, but each school’s green score can be found in their school profile on the main site (http://www.princetonreview.com/).

The 322 school profiles in the guide feature essential information for applicants – facts and stats on school demographics, admission, financial aid – plus write-ups on the schools’ specific sustainability initiatives.  A “Green Facts” sidebar reports on a wide range of topics from the school’s use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs to the availability of environmental studies and career guidance for green jobs.

“The volume and breadth of sustainability related work at this institution is amazing, and fascinatingly diverse,” Trelstad said. “I think what continually sets OSU apart is its broad spectrum of sustainability expertise. This is supported by students who care about global issues and come to OSU to build on that interest.”

Among OSU’s green highlights were an overall waste diversion rate of 42 percent, its numerous sustainability awards, its annual Nonprofit Career Day, and a building policy that ensures students will typically walk no further than 10 minutes across campus for class.

“OSU has a history of creating innovative projects to reduce energy use and meet its goal of climate neutrality by 2024,” the guide states.

The Princeton Review created its “Guide to 322 Green Colleges” in partnership with the Center for Green Schools (www.usgbc.org) at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)), with generous support from United Technologies Corp. (www.utc.com), founding sponsor of the Center for Green Schools.

]]> http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/lifeatosu/2013/oregon-state-university-featured-in-the-princeton-reviews-guide-to-green-colleges/feed/ 0 http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/lifeatosu/2013/valerie-cooley-receives-our-hero-award/ http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/lifeatosu/2013/valerie-cooley-receives-our-hero-award/#comments Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:35:57 +0000 theresa.hogue@oregonstate.edu http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/lifeatosu/?p=6705

Valerie Cooley is a familiar face at the OSU ID Center in the basement of Kerr (photo: Theresa Hogue)

After 31 years with Oregon State University, Valerie Cooley has finally retired from the OSU ID Center, but those seeking new IDs still see her smiling face as she’s stayed on to help with the transition to new leadership. Her tireless work, extending even beyond her retirement date was honored April 10 by PFLA, who presented Cooley with the “Our Hero” Award.

In her three decades at OSU, she’s handled the tremendous growth of the student body and staff population, helped lead the move from the Memorial Union to Kerr, as well as an organizational move from Student Affairs to Business Affairs, and even tackled the conversion from use of Social Security numbers to generated ID numbers.

“There are probably very few students or faculty in the OSU community that have not been welcomed by you with your warm smile and wealth of knowledge when they arrived at the ID Center,” nominators wrote of Cooley. “You and your small staff have successfully provided 24/7 support for resident students, and employees that use door access cards at all times of the day and night. OSU is definitely a better place as a result of your dedicated and tireless career.”

Annie Athon Heck

The University Relations and Marketing division at Oregon State University has a new associate vice president who began her duties on Monday.

Annie Athon Heck, a former journalist and executive communications specialist at Hewlett-Packard Co., will work with URM Vice President Steve Clark and others in the division as they lead OSU’s strategic communications and marketing efforts. In her new role, Heck will help coordinate executive communications, assist the development of OSU’s university-industry partnerships, and provide leadership to university events and OSU Research Office communications.

Heck spent the past 13 years working at Hewlett-Packard, where she helped develop communication and messaging strategies for the company. She later led a global public relations program for the printing business’s graphics segment and provided executive communications support for HP leaders.

From 1995-99, Heck was the communications director for the Corvallis School District 509J, where she also served as chief spokesperson. She was a reporter for the Statesman-Journal newspaper in Salem from 1991-95.

Melody Oldfield

Heck and her husband, Bill, have lived in Corvallis since 1990. They have two teenage children.

Clark also announced that Melody Oldfield, director of University Marketing, has been promoted to assistant vice president for University Relations and Marketing. She will continue as director of University Marketing and also work with Clark to provide leadership for the university’s integrated marketing and communications plan, which is being revised.

Angela Yeager

Angela Yeager, a news writer in the Department of News and Research Communications, has been named media relations specialist for the university. She will take a lead role in establishing relationships with news media outlets in Oregon and beyond.

~ Mark Floyd

Oregon State University assistant professor Ryan Mueller has received a grant of nearly $1 million from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Marine Microbiology Initiative to study how the food preferences of coastal marine microorganisms shape elemental cycles in the ocean.  The foundation’s grant will allow Dr. Muller and co-investigators Xavier Mayali and Jennifer Pett-Ridge (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Chongle Pan and Robert Hettich (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) to create a deeper understanding of how the food choices of marine microbes contribute to carbon cycling off of the coast of California. High precision isotope techniques and molecular biology methods that are being pioneered at Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Oak Ridge National Lab will be used to identify which microbes prefer which types of food molecules and how microbial food web interactions influence the flow and fate of ocean carbon.

General Research Fund (GRF) Spring 2013 Award Announcement

After review and evaluation the Faculty Senate Research Council provided the Research Office with a prioritized list of proposals. The Vice President for Research has approved funding for the following six proposals.

Alcantar, Benjamin (Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine): “Comparing Immunological Strategies and Life Spans in Diverse Ungulate Species”

Jander, Albrecht (School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering): “Advanced Spin-Caloritronic Materials for Thermo-Electric Energy Scavenging”

Mustacich, Debbie (Linus Pauling Institute): “Role of Atypical Deoxy-Sphingoid Bases in Secondary Spinal Cord Injury”

Sagili, Ramesh (Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Understanding Colony Level Prevalence and Intensity of Honey Bee Gut Parasite (Nosema ceranae) and Investigating effects of Colony Nutrition on Persistence of Nosema in Honey Bee Colonies”

Sikora, Aleksandra (Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy): “Evaluation of the Conserved Proteins in the Cell Envelope and Membrane Vesicles of Neisseria gonorrhoeae as Putative Vaccine Candidates”

Silveira, Jason (Dept. of Music, College of Liberal Arts): “Physiological Responses to Music Performance Stimuli”

The Research Office received three proposals for the Faculty Release Time (FRT) Spring 2012-13 solicitation with requests totaling $16,000. After review and evaluation the Vice President for Research has approved the three proposals for funding.

The following proposals have been selected for funding:

·       Bobe, Gerd (Dept. of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences): “Dietary Dry Beans for Obesity Prevention and Treatment”

·       Lopez-Cevallos, Daniel (School of Language, Culture, and Society, College of Liberal Arts): “Visual Health among Farmworkers in Oregon”

·       Pollard, Christine (Dept. of Exercise and Sport Science, OSU-Cascades): “Lower Extremity Mechanics following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Implications for Modified Rehabilitation Protocols and Return to Activity Criteria”

Professor Aaron Wolf will be formally awarded the prize in Florence, Italy this June .

Oregon State University Professor of Geosciences Aaron Wolf has just been named this year’s winner of the Monito del Giardino award for his work on international water conflict, specifically in regards to the Arab- Israeli conflict.

The award recognizes those who, over the years, have contributed with commitment and energy to the conservation and preservation of our landscape and, generally, of  our environmental heritage. The prize is awarded every two years to whomever is doing important research that produces benefits regarding ecology—the overall harmony between humankind and nature. The previous recipient was Jane Goodall.

This award recognizes Wolf’s work on behalf of a more democratic access to water sources. The value of his work has come to be recognized on the world stage, mediation work in controversies relative to water’s being at the center of the geopolitical scenes that are very delicate, such as that of the Mideast.

“It is a real honor to have this work being recognized by such a prestigious organization,” Wolf said. “It speaks well to the environment in CEOAS and OSU, where work of this deeply interdisciplinary nature is valued and encouraged, and the vast water community works together seamlessly to address the problems facing the state, the US, and the world.”

The prize comes with a check for €15,000 prize “to support up front the projects intended to render water an element of peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict in Palestine” and will be formally awarded in Florence in June 2013.

Glenn Ford, who has been vice president and chief financial officer at Linfield College in Oregon since 2007, has been named vice president for Finance and Administration at Oregon State University.

Glenn Ford, who has been vice president and chief financial officer at Linfield College in Oregon since 2007, has been named vice president for Finance and Administration at Oregon State University.

Ford will begin his new duties on July 8. He succeeds long-time Oregon State vice president Mark McCambridge, who is retiring.

OSU President Ed Ray said that Ford’s experience, which includes stints at three Land Grant universities prior to his Linfield position, would help him “hit the ground running.”

“Mark McCambridge did an exemplary job of helping keep OSU on sound financial footing in a difficult economic environment and doing so in a most transparent manner,” Ray said. “Glenn Ford has the experience and vision to continue that success as the university moves forward.”

As vice president for finance and administration at Oregon State, Ford will serve as the university’s chief financial officer, advising Ray on financial matters and overseeing an organizational structure that includes budget and fiscal planning, business affairs, business services, conferences and special events, facilities services, human resources and public safety.

“I am thrilled to join Oregon State University – a world-class research university with a student-centered focus,” Ford said.  “My philosophy aligns well with Oregon State’s core values of accountability, diversity, integrity, respect and social responsibility.  I am very impressed by the university’s culture of collaborative decisiveness that enhances Oregon State’s distinctiveness and keeps OSU at the forefront of higher education in the United States.”

In addition to Oregon State’s large Corvallis campus, the university operates 15 Agricultural Experiment Station branches, Extension Service operations in 36 counties, the OSU-Cascades campus in Bend, the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, and the Food Innovation Center and a range of other programs and facilities in Portland.

Ford has had similar responsibilities at Linfield College in McMinnville, where he oversees planning and budgeting, investment management, human resources, public safety and security, environmental health and safety and a range of other services. Before joining Linfield, he was vice president for business and finance at Utah State University, a Land Grant university with multiple campuses as well as Extension and Experiment Station operations.

Ford also worked at Washington State University for 15 years in a variety of positions, including four years as finance and operations director (vice chancellor) at the WSU Vancouver campus. Ford also worked at the University of Idaho.

Ford recently was appointed to the board of the Oregon 529 College Savings Network, and is a board member of the West Coast College Consortium, Pioneer Educators Health Trust, and the Willamette Valley Medical Center. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in forest products (business management option) and a master’s of business administration.

The National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), the nationwide organization focused exclusively on procurement in higher education, today announced the election of Kelly Kozisek, Chief Procurement Officer, Oregon State University, to their Board of Directors, effective April 10. Kozisek will serve as 2nd Vice President, a one-year position that ascends to 1st Vice President and thereafter to President.

Kozisek has a degree in Business Administration from Western Oregon University. She has worked on NAEP’s Membership Committee and currently serves on the Membership Committee of the Oregon Public Procurement Association.

Traber honored for nutrition work

Maret G. Traber, the Helen P. Rumbel Professor for Micronutrient Research in the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI) and professor in the School of Biological & Population Health Sciences at Oregon State University, is the recipient of the 2013 Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Nutritional Sciences Award of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN).

Maret Traber of the Linus Pauling Institute has received the 2013 Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Nutritional Sciences Award of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN).

Traber is one of the world’s leading experts on vitamin E. “Her pioneering studies caused a paradigm shift in our understanding of the mechanisms regulating vitamin E bioavailability and metabolism in humans,” said Balz Frei, director and endowed chair, LPI.

Traber was the first to use stable-isotope labeled vitamin E in humans. “She recognizes unsolved problems in vitamin E pathophysiology and applies novel strategies to resolve these problems,” said colleague Emily Ho of the School of Biological and Population Sciences and LPI.

For the National Academy of Sciences, Traber served on the Institute of Medicine Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and
Related Compounds, which established dietary requirements for vitamins C and E, selenium and carotenoids.

She has published over 150 peer-reviewed research articles and 100 invited reviews, chapters, proceedings and editorials. Her contributions to major nutrition volumes include chapters in Present Knowledge in Nutrition; Annual Review of Nutrition; and the Handbook of Vitamins. Since 2001, she has received extramural grant support from the NIH and USDA totaling over $3.14 million.

The award ceremony will be at the ASN Annual Meeting in Boston, April 21.

Lori Englehardt is this month's PFLA Our Hero award-winner (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Lori Englehardt, lead transporter for OSU Printing and Mailing Services, has been given the PFLA (Professional Faculty Leadership Assocation) March 2013 Our Hero Award.

In addition to maintaining her own route, she makes sure all other campus routes are covered, keeping addresses current and ensuring that campus mail gets where it needs to be. According to her nominators, she keeps the campus mail running like a well-oiled machine.

Always polite and courteous, Englehardt genuinely enjoys her job and shows it, making her department look good with her friendly manner and positive outlook. She is always ready to step outside the normal duties of her job to help in other ways as needed.

Co-workers describe Englehardt as easy to work with, and for all the above reasons she was nominated for this month’s award.

Mike Goodwin

Goodwin has been named one of two 2013 recipients of the CASE Commonfund Institutionally Related Foundation Award. He will receive the award on April 18 at the annual CASE conference for this group of foundations. This prestigious award recognizes professionals who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement, quality, and effectiveness of their foundations and the sector.

OSU President Ray received the 2013 Leadership Award from CASE District VIII at its annual conference earlier this month. See this LIFE@OSU story for more details. It is rare for both a university president and the CEO of a university foundation to receive top honors in the same year, according to CASE president John Lippincott.

Here is a list of CASE District VIII awards received by OSU at the conference this month. OSU was the second-most honored institution at the conference, according to Michelle Williams of the OSU Foundation.

President Edward Ray

Viewbooks and Prospective Student Publications

Silver
Oregon State University
Oregon State University Student Recruitment Viewbook
Long Lam, Gary Dulude, Amy Charron, Teresa Hall, Laura Shields, Santiago Uceda, Melody Oldfield

Other Special Purpose Publications 

Silver

Oregon State University
Evans Scholar Foundation booklet
Long Lam, Gary Dulude, Amy Charron, Melody Oldfield, Laura Shields

Special Constituency and Research Magazines

Gold
Oregon State University
Terra Magazine
Nick Houtman, Lee Sherman, Teresa Hall, Amy Charron, Steve Clark

Multipage print design

Silver

Oregon State University
Oregon State University Student Recrutiment Viewbook
Long Lam, Santiago Uceda, Amy Charron, Teresa Hall, Gary Dulude, Melody Oldfield, Laura Shields

Posters

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Oregon State University
Morrill Act 150 year anniversary posters
Long Lam, Gary Dulude, Shelly Signs, Amy Charron, Melody Oldfield, Laura Shields

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Plates of Honor
Angela Yeager

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Oregon State University
The Ethic of Care
Lee Sherman 

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Oregon State University
Far and Away
Lee Sherman

News Writing

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Oregon State University
Yellowstone transformed 15 years after the return of wolves
David Stauth

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Sporting event ads viewed favorably – especially if the game is close
Angela Yeager

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Jurassic pain: Giant “flea-like” insects plagued dinosaurs
David Stauth

Special Events

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Oregon State University Foundation
Building a Community of Major Donors
OSU Foundation Strategic Communications & Donor Relations

Web Magazine (periodical or continual)

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Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences
Synergies online magazine
Kathryn Stroppel, Alan Calvert

Student Recruitment Videos

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OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences
MPH Student Helps Improve Women’s Health in Uganda
Heather Turner

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Oregon State University
Harris Recognition Dinner Multimedia
Steven Lont, David Baker, Michelle Williams, Kegan Sims, Oliver Day, Justin Smith, Santiago Uceda, Evan Gutt, Richard Hibbins, Deborah Correa, Cathleen Hockman-Wert, Ashley Fuszek Lindsley, Audrey Wiltz, Alex Crawford

In a competitive application process consisting of nearly 100 candidates, Tiah Edmunson-Morton of the Oregon State University Libraries’ Special Collections & Archives Research Center has been selected as a participant in the 2013 Archives Leadership Institute.

ALI will provide advanced training for 25 emerging and innovative leaders, giving them the knowledge and tools to transform the archival profession in practice, theory and attitude. Participants were selected for the 2013 ALI@Luther program participant based on their leadership skills and potential, ability to influence policy and change within an organization and the archival field, commitment to the archival profession, career progress and history, organizational involvement, professional motivation and goals, a collaborative and innovative spirit and diversity and specialization within the profession.

Edmunson-Morton has worked as an archivist at Oregon State University for more than six years. In addition to teaching duties for the Special Collections & Archives Research Center and School of History, Philosophy, & Religion, she manages the Center’s exhibits program; coordinates social media outreach; and works on library-wide assessment projects.  She has also managed the Center’s public services and supervised student employees. Edmunson-Morton has served as president of the Northwest Archivists, is the Editor and Graphic Designer of the NWA publication Easy Access, and led the Northwest Digital Archives Usability Group. She holds her MLIS from San José State University, MA in English Literature from Miami University, and is a Certified Archivist.

Histand receives award for outstanding service

Phil Histand, MD, recently retired Director of Student Health Services, has been awarded the Ollie B. Moten Award for Outstanding Service to One’s Institution by the American College Health Association (ACHA).  Dr. Histand began as a staff physician, then served as Associate Director until 2008, and recently retired as the Director of Student Health Services.  He has been recognized by the ACHA as a Fellow, and has served on numerous committees’ at both the national and regional levels over the past 33 years.

Joseph Beckman, director of the Environmental Health Sciences Center at OSU, and Thomas Dietterich, director and professor of intelligent systems in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science will be honored for their achievements this spring.

Sabah Randhawa, OSU provost and executive vice president, said the two faculty members chosen for the award share similar traits of teaching excellence, critically important research contributions, leadership and service to the university and to their respective fields.

Joseph Beckman

“Joe Beckman and Tom Dietterich really exemplify what we hope faculty will strive to become as they develop their careers,” Randhawa said. “They serve as extraordinary role models and exemplars of multi-faceted achievement, from the classroom to the laboratory and beyond. They also have the respect and admiration from their colleagues and peers throughout the world, as well as on campus.”

Beckman is the Ava Helen Pauling Chair in the Linus Pauling Institute, as well as Principal Investigator. He is perhaps best known for his discovery of the role of peroxynitrite in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, as well as his studies on antioxidants and nutrients that may help slow progression of the disease.

He is the 2012 recipient of the prestigious Oregon Health & Sciences University Medical Research Foundation’s Discovery Award, as well as several other honors. An OSU faculty member since 2001, Beckman served as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Services Corps, and spent a dozen years as captain in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Medical Services Corps.

“Joe is a true innovator in the study of neurodegenerative disease,” noted Vince Remcho, dean of the College of Science. “I first met Joe when he visited OSU in 2001, and I found his studies on superoxide dismutase and its potential role in ALS to be fascinating.  Joe is a valued colleague, a talented scientist, and a wonderful mentor to our junior faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates.”

Thomas Dietterich

Dietterich is a pioneer in the field of machine learning and, like Beckman, is one of the most highly cited scientists in his field. He has obtained more than $30 million in research grants over his career, helped build a world-class research group at Oregon State, and created three software companies. Dietterich also co-founded two of the field’s leading journals and was elected first president of the International Machine Learning Society.

In 2012, Dietterich was chosen president-elect of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. His research has numerous applications in such diverse fields as drug design, electronic manufacturing, information management, ecological modeling, and natural resource management.

“Tom leads by example providing exemplary mentoring for faculty and students, collaborating with nearly every discipline on campus, and gaining international respect for his work,” said Sandra Woods, dean of the College of Engineering. “We are so proud to have his leadership in the college.”

~ Mark Floyd

Tara Williams has been named associate dean of the University Honors College.

Tara Williams, an associate professor of English in the School of Writing, Literature and Film and affiliated faculty member in Women Studies, has been named associate dean of the University Honors College (UHC) at Oregon State.

“I am extremely excited for Dr. Williams to join the honors community,” said Toni Doolen, the UHC dean. “She brings outstanding experience and energy to the college at a critical time in our development.”

The associate dean is a half-time appointment with primary responsibility for curriculum development, assessment and experiential learning. The position has been vacant since Doolen, the previous associate dean, was named dean of the UHC in June, 2012.

Williams joined the faculty at Oregon State University in 2004 after earning her Ph.D. from Rutgers University. Her teaching and internationally-recognized research focus on medieval literature and culture and pedagogical issues. She was graduate coordinator for English from 2010-2011, when she implemented a redesigned program curriculum, and her broad experience on campus includes service as the chair of the Faculty Senate Library Committee from 2009-2011, as well as engagement with the University Honors College as an instructor, thesis mentor and scholarship panelist.

“Being associate dean of the UHC will be a wonderful opportunity to work with outstanding students and faculty across the university,” said Williams. She is excited by the challenges of providing curricular and co-curricular content for a diverse and growing student population. “I’m especially looking forward to expanding the experiential learning opportunities available to UHC students,” she said.

Williams will officially assume her new responsibilities on July 1, 2013.