I recently gave this presentation at the National Outreach Scholarship Conference, and I will be repeating the presentation at our division’s upcoming strategic conference (Oct. 29-31).
I’m interested in your reactions. What resonates with you? What questions does this evoke? I’ll respond to any questions or comments both here and at the conference on Oct. 30.
Imagine what a truly 21st Century public university will become.
by Nicole Strong, Forestry & Natural Resources Extension
Every year over 2,200 cyclists embark on a 400+ mile adventure, riding through different regions of Oregon, exploring seldom traveled roads, passing by towering trees, alpine lakes and staying in small towns. For the past couple years, I have joined up with Cycle Oregon to give our Extension perspective to these journeys. It has been a wonderful experience, I have met people from near and far, including OSU Extension volunteers, faculty, clients new and old, as well as Cycle Oregon participants who stopped by the tent, or with whom I rode with during freezing mornings, up grueling gravel roads, or working together battling nasty head winds.
If you’ve participated in Cycle Oregon before, either as a participant or volunteer, what was the most memorable part for you? (share below by leaving a comment)
Earlier this week several faculty members from Oregon State University attended the National Outreach Scholarship Conference at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The conference theme for this year’s conference was Partner. Inspire. Change.
Oregon State presentations and posters included:
Each summer the Provost requests that all colleges and divisions submit academic reports that highlight the most noteworthy achievements from the past year. I find that the process of compiling this report offers an excellent opportunity to reflect back on all that we have accomplished together.
A few highlights from our division’s 2011-12 report:
Name: Maggie Livesay
Position: 4-H Youth Development Faculty/County Leader, Benton
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado
# of years at OSU: 15 years
Best part of your job: The best part of my job is working with people – as no one is like another. I enjoy helping people of all ages discover their skills and develop as people. I also enjoy building strong community partnerships to maximize educational efforts, especially in the field of natural resource education for youth.
Something someone might be surprised to know about you: I was an exploration geologist who was privileged to work all over the lower forty-eight and in Alaska. My favorite ride to work – a helicopter.
Favorite book/movie/album: I enjoy reading a variety of genre, watching any movie except the scary ones and my new favorite album is Grievous Angel by Graham Parsons.
Name: Tyler Hansen
Position: Marketing writer/public information representative, OSU Extended Campus
Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.
# of years at OSU: 1 year 3 months
Best part of your job: I get to work with countless interesting people across campus and around the world. My role puts me in touch with OSU distance students who often endure a great deal in order to earn an education, and they are a constant source of inspiration. Being able to help share their stories is a privilege.
Something someone might be surprised to know about you: I taught journalism at Tucson High School before moving to Oregon. On my first day as a teacher, a student came up to me and said, “Aren’t you in my brother’s chemistry class?”
Favorite book/movie/album: My favorite movie is “Good Will Hunting,” probably because it reminds me of my childhood when I was underappreciated for my unparalleled genius. That’s followed closely by “Do the Right Thing,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Fletch.”
Recently members of the Educational Outreach team headed out on a three-day visit to OSU sites around the state. The traveling team included me, Tamara Hill-Tanquist (EESC), Jennifer Alexander (EESC), Claire Cross (Summer Session) and Hanna Lounsbury (PNE).
Educational Outreach refers to three units within University Outreach and Engagement:
Check out the rest of the photos on my Facebook page.
Name: Karen Zimmermann
Position: Communications Support Specialist/Digital Asset Manager, EESC
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
# of years at OSU: 8
Best part of your job: One project in particular that I’m enjoying being a part of is EESC’s photo archiving effort. Being a technophile, I love working in a technology-rich environment with creative people.Not only are my department colleagues creatively gifted, but Extension, as a whole, develops such creative solutions to local problems.
Something someone might be surprised to know about you: Many people are surprised at some of my former jobs. Some are surprised that I was a state trooper, while others are surprised I was a professional opera singer (comic opera), and some are surprised I did musical comedy WHILE I was a state trooper. (Though, my backgrounds in food science and photography are more helpful in my current job.)
Favorite book/movie/album: How ’bout hobby?: Motorcycling. I love motorcycling in Oregon! Album? No particular album, but I love to blast opera or show tunes while riding my motorcycle. It keeps people from stereotyping and makes them smile.
When Justin Morrill helped craft the ground-breaking legislation that created the land-grant university system in 1860, he hoped that it would change the face of society. During the next 150 years, Morrill’s vision became the land-grant universities’ competitive advantage in the marketplace of knowledge: university-based knowledge could be extended to people beyond the university to help solve problems and improve lives. To stay competitive, the land grant universities addressed questions such as: Do we provide access to information that makes a difference? And are we maintaining our role as a respected source of relevant, objective, science-based information?
Are you interested in exploring Oregon for a week and learning about OSU Extension Service programs throughout the state?
OSU Extension is looking for two energetic, adventurous and social students to assist with an endeavor to provide outreach to 2,200 members of the public during Cycle Oregon the week of Sept. 8-15.
About Cycle Oregon
Every year 2,200 cyclists participate in the weeklong Cycle Oregon ride. This largely urban group of riders takes to the roads and passes through Oregon’s rural communities, riding by woodlands, range, homes, businesses, and farms, often with very little knowledge about the local economies, history, and culture through which they are passing. OSU Extension is working with Cycle Oregon to provide education, simultaneously showcasing rural communities and the impact OSU Extension has in community vitality.