Welcome to the 2018–19 academic year.

I am especially delighted to welcome new students to Beaver Nation. 

Oregon State University was founded 150 years ago to serve Oregon, the nation and the world with access to a high-quality education and economic opportunity. Oregon State is at an extraordinarily exciting time in its history. In October, we will conclude OSU150, the 15-month celebration of the university’s 150th anniversary. You all are invited to join us this fall for our OSU150 Land Grant Festival Oct. 1 to 17 and at a free daylong symposium on Oct. 23 entitled “The Promise and the Peril of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics”. Visit the OSU150 website for more information about these events.

I believe our graduates represent OSU’s greatest contribution to society. Yet, we only achieve this contribution through the dedication and efforts of the excellent faculty and staff who work with and support students in many important ways.

At OSU, advancing student success and supporting faculty excellence are top priorities. We are building our capacity to help you succeed as a student in numerous ways, from the Beth Ray Center for Academic Support, where you can get help with challenging subjects, to an online advising system to help you stay on track for your degree. Become involved both inside and outside the classroom in programs and activities that interest you. OSU offers a nearly unmatched range of activities, from art and music to athletics to business internships and international service.  

As a student and member of the OSU community, you have a responsibility. I read an essay by a university professor in which he observed that the students who truly succeed in college reveal what he calls (stealing a Bruce Springsteen line) “a hungry heart.”  These “hungry heart” students arrive with a love for learning, an openness to experiences, an abundant curiosity about human endeavors and a willingness to explore their beliefs and values. I encourage you to keep a “hungry heart” for learning throughout your time at Oregon State.

I recognize that as a university, we have much to do to achieve our aspirations. We will improve our retention and graduation rates without any achievement gaps for underrepresented, first-generation or Pell-eligible students. Every OSU student will have at least one experiential learning opportunity. These internships, undergraduate research appointments, study abroad programs, club and leadership activities will help prepare every student for success in a global community and economy.

We will continue to take additional steps to ensure that our university is a community committed to inclusiveness and social justice, and a place that celebrates diversity.

I am confident that, working together, the best is yet to come at OSU as we begin our next 150 years.

Go Beavs!

Ed Ray

President

Oregon State University