Membership Image

 

 

Alumni Fellows

 

Since 1988, the Oregon State University Alumni Association in partnership with the university has recognized caring, passionate and talented members of Beaver Nation who have distinguished themselves in their professions and their communities. Alumni Fellows will be celebrated on campus this fall and will be recognized on September 19, 2024 during the Black and Orange Awards Celebration.

Through the Alumni Fellows program, Oregon State University colleges, departments and the OSU Alumni Association reconnect with alumni that have distinguished themselves in their professions and communities and celebrate them for all that they have done and will continue to do. Alumni Fellows will share their experiences and wisdom with alumni and current students, as well as build stronger ties with faculty and their alma mater. The OSU Alumni Association looks forward to working closely with each college to make this a memorable and meaningful experience for their honoree. 

Nominations are solicited from the deans of the academic colleges in consultation with department chairpersons and faculty. For any departments outside of the academic colleges, please inform the alumnus’ graduating college of your nomination. Representatives from the nominating college/department are expected to attend the celebration in support of their nominee. The number of Alumni Fellows to be chosen, and the number of colleges/departments represented, will be dependent upon the quality of applicants and their nomination materials. The alumni association does not guarantee that every college will have a Fellow. 

Please see the linked documents for directions and award criteria.

 

 

 

 

2024 Alumni Fellows 

Kirk B. Maag, ’05 
Honored by the College of Agricultural Sciences  
Cultivating community in the next generation of agribusiness and forest products industry leaders.  

Growing up working on his family’s farm and feedlot in eastern Oregon, Kirk Maag discovered his passion for natural resources. Following his successful undergraduate career at OSU, he earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and clerked for the Honorable Carlos T. Bea on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Currently an environmental and natural resources attorney and partner at Stoel Rives LLP in Portland, Kirk is a leader in Oregon’s agricultural and natural resources community, making an incredible impact on the lives of many working in the industry daily. He has served on boards and committees for the Oregon Water Resources Congress and the Oregon State Bar. He currently serves on the boards of directors and is a past board chair for the Oregon Future Farmers of America Foundation and Cultivating Change Foundation — a nonprofit with a mission to value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists.

Eric MacKender, ’00 
Honored by the Honors College 
Valuing lifetime learning with an unwavering commitment to alumni engagement and student support.  

Having received scholarships to fund his education, Eric MacKender joined the second class of first-year Honors College students. He studied chemical engineering and enjoyed the colloquium courses offered by the Honors College. Recruited by Chevron post-graduation, Eric became an immediate financial supporter of OSU and the Honors College. While he has moved seven times for his career with Chevron, his commitment to OSU has remained steadfast. Eric joined the Honors College Board of Regents in 2014 and remains an active member. He's hosted game watch parties and happy hours to bring together local alumni in Houston, Portland and Los Angeles. In 2018, he was named to the Council of Outstanding Early Career Engineers by the OSU College of Engineering, and in 2023 he became the first Honors College alumnus to be recognized as an Honors College Champion for his and his wife's support for student success. 

Patricia McDonald, ’86 
Honored by the College of Engineering  
Motivating and mentoring early career engineers while championing women's success in STEM programs.  

For over 30 years, Pat McDonald has balanced building her work at Intel and serving her community with steady support and advocacy to OSU. Over her impressive career, she has focused on countless initiatives, including advancing the well-being of Intel employees and connecting with women in STEM. Thanks to her personal and professional contributions, Pat was named an Outstanding Early Career Engineer by the OSU College of Engineering in 2005 and in 2016 was a governor-appointed member of the Port of Portland Commission. Through her service on the Dean’s Leadership Council for the OSU College of Engineering, as judge during the Engineering Expo, in the Celebration of Women in Engineering Career Diversity panel and more, her commitment to Beaver Nation is unwavering. 

Joel E. Peterson, ’69 
Honored by the College of Science 
Showcasing how professional endeavors fueled by passion can create a winemaking industry icon. 

Setting the standard for high-quality wines since he first founded Ravenswood Winery in 1976 and currently with Once & Future Wine, Joel Peterson has been nicknamed “the Godfather of Zin” by his winemaking peers. His notable winemaking career has included being inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame, serving on the boards of numerous prestigious vintners’ and growers’ associations and having his winery and original tools featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s evolution of food and wine exhibition. Joel has been a member of the College of Science Board of Advisors since 2014 and previously served on the college’s Board of Visitors. With his wife, Madeline Deininger, Joel funds student travel to give future scientists professional development opportunities that weren’t previously available.    

Julie D. Pullen, Ph.D. ’00  
Honored by the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences 
Accelerating initiatives to address climate risk through leadership and investments in ocean climate solutions and technology. 

As a climate scientist, oceanographer and meteorologist, Julie Pullen is on the front lines of creating climate resilience and solutions. She is the founding partner and chief scientist with Propeller Ventures, a climate-tech venture fund that invests in early-stage ocean and climate tech companies. In addition to her countless professional accomplishments, including leading the Department of Homeland Security’s National Maritime Security Center and leadership positions in the American Meteorological Society and The Oceanography Society, Julie generously gives her time to OSU. She was instrumental in establishing a partnership between Propeller and OSU, served as a panelist on the 2023 CEOAS and OSU Alumni Association Earth Day lecture, has called on CEOAS to lend its expertise to international meetings and is a great champion and advocate for CEOAS faculty and students. 


Elizabeth Ragan, ’13 
Honored by the College of Health
Advocating for health equity and disability rights through public service and volunteerism at the local, state and national levels. 

Driven by her vision for a better world, Lizzy Ragan has contributed substantially to the field of public health. A standout student while at OSU, Lizzy was a student employee with the now College of Health and the Center for Writing and Learning and volunteered with numerous local health organizations — earning her the Waldo-Cummings and Kalervo Oberg Outstanding Senior Awards before graduating summa cum laude. Her extensive work in global health and in the COVID-19 response, along with her disability advocacy work, earned her an appointment to the 2022-2023 class of White House Fellows, for which she was placed at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Lizzy is a former appointee of Oregon Health Authority’s Health Equity Committee and is a peer mentor for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and a current appointee on the accessibility committee for the District of Columbia. Lizzy now serves as the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Suzanne Simard, M.S. ’89, Ph.D. ’95 
Honored by the College of Forestry 
Pioneering plant-communication research to forever change the world’s understanding of how forests operate and expand woodland restoration efforts.   

Known as a pioneer in the study of plant communication and intelligence, Suzanne Simard’s work has gained global recognition. She was recently named one of Time magazine’s 100 “most influential people” in the world and even received a nod on the critically acclaimed show Ted Lasso. A professor of forest ecology at the University of British Columbia, she is the author of the book Finding the Mother Tree. Simard's revolutionary work in forest ecology led to recognizing the overlooked but potentially important role of plant cooperation in determining forest responses to climate change and disturbance. 

Trey Winthrop, ’93 
Honored by the College of Business 
Leveraging a people-first philosophy to prioritize the well-being and development of OSU students and Portland communities.  

Throughout his career, Trey Winthrop has always made time to support his community and Beaver Nation. Appointed the CEO of Bob’s Red Mill in 2022 after a 17-year tenure with the company, he continues to give back through leadership positions, including President of Financial Executives International’s Portland chapter, board member of the American Heart Association and more. He was previously a member of the OSU Portland Business Roundtable and currently sits on the College of Business Dean’s Council of Excellence. Additionally, Trey and his wife, Jamie, established the Winthrop Family Scholarship fund, which supports students in the College of Business. 


ALUMNI FELLOWS ONLINE CELEBRATION 

 

View our celebration where we honored all 12 alumni and explored how they are ensuring that OSU's economic footprint and innovative spirit are positively felt in Portland communities and beyond, and how OSU prepared them for this work. This program was originally recorded on April 11, 2023.  

Headshots of all of the 2023 Alumni Fellows with a play button

 

 

 

Previous Fellows Talks

 

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

College of Agricultural Sciences
2024 – Kirk B. Maag, ’05
2023 – Bob Grover, ’83 
2020 – Julianne Wood-Rethwill, ’75 
2016 – Hiram G. Larew III, M.S. ’77, Ph.D. ’81 
2013 – James E. Womack, Ph.D. ’68 
2011 – James T. Martin, ’69, M.S. ’78 
2009 – Carl M. Casale, ’83 
2007 – William E. Sandine, Ph.D. ’58 
2006 – Gretchen S. Schuette, Ph.D. ’80 
2005 – Roy H. Saigo, Ph.D. ’69 
2004 – Karla Chambers, ’81, MAIS ’83, and William D. Chambers, ’81, M.S. ’85 
2000 – James E. Oldfield, Ph.D. ’51 
1991 – Larry L. McKay, Ph.D. ’70 
1989 – Keith R. McKennon, ’55 
1988 – Ernest G. Jaworski, M.S. ’50, Ph.D. ’52 

College of Business
2024 – Trey Winthrop, ’93 
2023 – Anita Miller Winn, ’79 
2020 – Richard J. Campo, ’76 
2015 – Tom Toomey, ’82 
2012 – Gayle E. Fitzpatrick, ’78 
2010 – Stephen M. Bailey, ’70 
2008 – John D. Gray, ’40 
2006 – Kenneth Thrasher, ’71 
2003 – Mike Rich 
2002 – Duane C. McDougall, ’74 
1998 – Bernard Newcomb, ’65 
1991 – Benjamin R. Whiteley, ’51 
1990 – Stanley Hong, ’59 
1989 – James E. Coleman, ’58 

College of Education
2023 – Joth Ricci, ’90 
2020 – Betty Flad, ’67 
2018 – Camille Preus, Ed.D. ’08 
2016 – Eric C. Meslow, ’91 
2013 – Sandra Henderson, ’83, M.S. ’89, Ph.D. ’02 
2011 – Erin Adams Prince, ’85, Ph.D. ’06  
2009 – Mary F. T. Spilde, Ed.M. ’84, Ph.D. ’96 
2007 – Jerome Colonna, ’66, M.S. ’68, Ed.M ’71 

College of Engineering
2024 – Patricia McDonald, ’86
2023 – Bill Nicholson, ’80
2020 – Scott A. Williams, ’74
2018 – Ransford S. McCourt, ’78
2015 – Tom Skoro, ’81
2010 – Walter G. Kortschak, ’81
2006 – Jay L. McQuillen Jr., ’86
2005 – Jen-Hsun Huang, ’84
2003 – Donald R. Pettit, ’78
2002 – Jeffrey D. Peace, ’73
2001 – Peter E. Johnson, ’55
2001 – Greg P. Merten, ’68
1993 – Arthur E. Hitsman, ’49, M.S. ’50
1990 – Andy Smith, ’50 

College of Forestry
2024 – Suzanne Simard, M.S. ’89, Ph.D. ’95
2020 – Cristina Eisenberg, Ph.D. ’12
2013 – Martin Goebel, ’79
2011 – William John Lange, M.S. ’78, Ph.D. ’83
2009 – Steven W. Running, ’72, M.S. ’74
2007 – Jaime A. Pinkham, ’81
1998 – Pamela A. Matson, Ph.D. ’83
1988 – James C. Overbay, ’56 

College of Health
2024 – Elizabeth Ragan, ’13
2023 – Olivia Quiroz, ’05
2020 – Rebecca Hernandez, Ph.D. ’05
2018 – Jeremiah J. Allen, ’15
2015 – Dave Underriner, ’81
2012 – Celia Strickland Austin, ’76
2010 – Margaret L. Carter, Ed.M. ’74
2008 – Leila Jeanette Hocking Keltner, ’76, M.S. ’78
2006 – Susan Parker, ’74 
2004 – Ann Roth Streissguth, ’54
1997 – Jean A. Thomas, ’78
1994 – Soo-Jae Moon, M.S. ’60
1989 – Katherine E. Smith, ’61 

Honors College
2024 – Eric MacKender, ’00
2023 – Mary Deits Rousseau, ’71
2020 – SreyRam Kuy, ’00
2018 – Jeremy Cutsforth-Gregory, ’05
2016 – Andrew D. Bartmess, ’82
2013 – Carol Hill Pickard, ’76
2011 – Dan Euhus, ’99 
2009 – Ruth A. Beyer, ’77 

College of Liberal Arts
2023 – Matthew J. Morton, ’98
2020 – Chris Johns, ’74
2018 – Angela Snow, ’81
2015 – Mary C. Yates, ’68, ’07 (Hon. Ph.D.)
2012 – Roosevelt A. Credit, ’90
2006 – Michael P. Chamness, ’71
2005 – Jim F. Wiggett, ’72
1999 – Rodney D. Chandler, ’68
1999 – Rebecca Hansen Parker, ’74
1996 – Lawrence P. Kirkland, ’72
1995 – Jenna Dorn, ’73
1994 – William W. Krippaehne Jr., ’73, MBA ’76
1993 – Norman W. Monroe, ’62
1992 – N. Christian Anderson III, ’72
1991 – Harley W. Jessup, ’76 

College of Earth, Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences
2024 – Julie D. Pullen, Ph.D. ’00 
2023 – Julia Lee Rosen, ’14 
2020 – Margaret Hiza Redsteer, Ph.D. ’00 
2018 – Ian P. Madin, M.S. ’87 
2015 – Laura M. Anderson, M.S. ’00 
2012 – Ellen Bishop, M.S. ’79, Ph.D. ’83 
2010 – Rick Spinrad, M.S. ’78, Ph.D. ’82 
2008 – Margaret S. Leinen, M.S. ’76 
1995 – John A. McGowan, ’50, M.S. ’51 

College of Pharmacy
2015 – Penny Ellings Reher, ’82
2012 – Shelton Louie, ’78
2010 – Kim Rowse Brouwer, ’78
2008 – Robin J. Richardson, ’84
2006 – Sara White, ’68 
1997 – Stephen D. Roath, ’63
1992 – Steven J. Oliva, ’63 

College of Science
2024 – Joel E. Peterson, ’69 
2023 – David Vernier, ’76 
2020 – Eva M. Galvez, ’99 
2018 – Marian L. Waterman, ’81 
2016 – Kent L. Thornburg, M.S. ’70, Ph.D. ’72 
2013 – Jack R. Borsting,  ’51 
2011 – M. Duane Nellis, M.S. ’78, Ph.D. ’80 
2009 – Rusty Gorman, ’77 
2004 – Barry G. Willis, ’63 
2003 – David T. Wong, M.S. ’64 
2002 – Jon DeVaan, ’85 
2001 – Zelma Reed Long, ’65 
2000 – Peggy Tsiang Cherng, ’71 
1999 – Janet R. Ford, ’80 
1998 – James E. Reinmuth, M.S. ’65, Ph.D. ’70 
1997 – Karl A. Drlica, ’64 
1996 – Roy Teranishi, ’53 
1995 – Steven E. Lindow, ’73 
1994 – Robert G. Coleman, ’48, M.S. ’50 
1993 – Leslie D. Gottlieb, M.S. ’66 
1992 – Kenneth M. Evenson, M.S. ’60, Ph.D. ’64 
1989 – Warren M. Washington, ’58 
1988 – James M. Bowen, M.S. ’58, Ph.D. ’61 

College of Veterinary Medicine
2023 – Lori L. Gibson,  DVM ’99
2018 – Connie Neville White, Ph.D. ’95, DVM ’97
2016 – Kris Otteman Brant, ’82, DVM ’86
2013 – Debra M. Nelson, DVM ’87
2011 – Joseph H. Snyder, DVM ’83
2009 – Bruce W. Mueller, ’83, DVM ’86
2007 – Helen E. Diggs, DVM ’85
2000 – Scott D. Campbell, ’80, DVM ’85