Research and instruction on college campuses have long been recognized as playing a special role in making economies work. They are the veritable fuel that powers the economic engines of metropolitan areas and states. It's hard to imagine what sort of economy might exist without the graduates that flow from our campuses or the R&D emanating from our laboratories.
For nearly 150 years, Oregon State University has taken those responsibilities seriously as "the people's university" in this state. Oregon's only land-grant institution, OSU has long had a special commitment to serving Oregon and its people, communities, businesses and governments. That commitment is more important now than ever, as Oregonians strive to compete in the marketplace and play a substantial role in the 21st-century knowledge economy.
It's particularly heartening to see that OSU's values of excellence and service to Oregon are paying growing dividends, with the university itself continuing to grow in size and reach. A new study, detailed in these pages, shows that our economic footprint across this state now exceeds $1.5 billion-a total that has roughly doubled over the past decade. We're proud to lead Oregon's universities and colleges in this regard and continue to look for ways we can make a difference for the people of this state.
Ed Ray
President, Oregon State University