Morrison Bridge is Powered by Orange
The lights of Portland’s historic Morrison Bridge turned OSU orange on Monday night to rally the city’s more than 41,000 Beaver alumni in advance of the Dec. 3 Civil War.
Part of OSU’s “Powered by Orange” campaign, the lighting was sponsored by two well-known Beaver Believers – Bob Miller, morning radio host for KPAM, the Portland flagship station of the Beaver Sports Radio Network, and Pat Reser, co-chair of The Campaign for OSU, a $625-million fund-raising effort that has brought more than $540 million in donations thus far. The lights will stay on through the annual football showdown between OSU and the University of Oregon.
As most fans already know, OSU is ranked no. 16 this week in the Associated Press poll, while Oregon is ranked tenth. OSU has won six of its last seven games, Oregon, nine of its last 10. This year’s Civil War winner earns more than bragging rights: A Rose Bowl invitation is on the line.
Morrison Bridge’s lights shone as brightly as Beaver Nation hopes on Monday, with more than 1,000 light-emitting diodes glowing orange under a clear Portland sky. In the best spirit of OSU, known for its environmental values and alternative energy research, the eye-catching display uses only 82 watts of electricity for each of 32 fixtures on the span. Built in 1954, the bridge was formerly illuminated by halide lights that drew 1,000 watts each.
Happy backyard chickens
If you’re in Hillsboro on Saturday morning, Oregon State’s Extension Service is holding a harvest festival at 9 a.m., with a focus on urban poultry. That means…eggs!
James Hermes, Extension poultry specialist, will talk about backyard flocks and how to keep them safe and healthy.Other sessions will be on home food preservation, edible lanndscaping, pest management in food gardens and gardening in the Pacific Northwest. There also will be activities for children.
The event is free and open to the public at the Wasington County Fairplex floral building.
Now, if you’re urban chicken fix needs to be satisfied before Saturday, check out the awesome and informative Urban Chickens blog…they’re on Facebook, too, and their wall has all kinds of great advice from fans on how to raise happy, healthy birds.
And if you’re doubting the appeal of an urban birds, check out a recent NPR piece on their growing appeal. Enjoy!
Beth Appert
Beth Appert, an Oregon State alum with a Master’s in public health with a focus on international health, is working as an AIDS Program Coordinator at Medical Teams International in Portland. An advanced degree from Oregon State helped her land a job in a down economy. In a year, she will move to Mozambique to develop programs there with community organizations. Beth is just one Oregon State graduate who is Solving Global Problems.
Tell me about your position in Portland.
I work at Medical Teams International (MTI) as an AIDS Program Coordinator. In a year, I will be moving to Mozambique to work with our local partner, Kuwangisa. My department at MTI, Technical Services, does a lot of backstopping for different projects to ensure research is done accurately and programs are run effectively. We really try to understand what the people in the area we are working with want and what they feel that they need. Then we partner with community organizations to achieve their goals. Essentially, I am working myself out of a job by empowering local partners to develop, monitor and evaluate their own HIV/AIDS projects.
Why do you think Portland is an ideal area to work in?
I love Portland. People are so open. It is a very practical, realistic and passionate place, and I think that lends to a mentality that is necessary to do what we do. I believe that our work is particularly beneficial to the region because we offer a way for Portland to be connected with people all over the world.
Did you do an internship?
I did an internship with a different non-profit organization and I think my experience there really helped me to get a job.
How did you find a job?
I applied to many organizations in the Northwest as well as overseas. Some positions I didn’t get. But, I think, in the long run, the company I work for is a good fit for me.
How did OSU prepare you for the working world?
At OSU, I worked in teams a lot. When you work with a multi-dimensional team, as I do now, and find the strengths of each individual, you will have a positive outcome. We also covered many international issues in my classes and most of my projects were directly applicable to what I am doing now.
How were you able to set yourself apart from other applicants?
Having a Masters in Public Health (MPH) is a great qualifier. Making connections is essential, as well. Ultimately, having an education combined with some of my life and work skills really paid off.
What advice would you give other OSU students that are about to try and enter the working world?
I think you can find your road by tapping into what you’re passionate about and being determined to find your way. Don’t be afraid to try classes that don’t pertain to your major. Volunteer work also looks great on a resume, is a great way to make connections and works as an avenue to discover whether or not you have chosen the right field.
How do you see the impact you will make within the field of public health?
On a community level, I want to get people involved in a vision for people with HIV/AIDS, so that the same standards are kept regardless of the region. I’m providing technical solutions for projects so they can learn how to flourish on their own. A global impact I would like to have, therefore, is that the job I have won’t be needed anymore not just because others are doing the work, but because HIV/AIDS will be eradicated.
