{"id":1396,"date":"2016-07-18T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2016-07-18T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/?p=1396"},"modified":"2023-07-18T19:48:36","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T19:48:36","slug":"summer-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/newsletter\/summer-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Words from the Dean<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Summer 2016<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Before we all head off in different directions this summer, I want to share some of our successes from spring term as well as important updates with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time of year is full of goodbyes and hellos. We said goodbye to nearly 600 new graduates, the latest group of young scientists going out to make an impact in the world. I am proud to say we awarded 34% more bachelor\u2019s degrees than we did last year, a significant contribution to Science! I am also proud of our record number of 50 Ph.Ds and 47 master\u2019s degrees awarded in our college. Thank you for all you do to mentor our students and your help in building global leaders in science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now we look to the fall and start preparing for the arrival of the next eager group of science students. Read below about the outstanding new class of diverse students we have recruited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have also made important progress on our Strategic Plan. You can read the final reports and recommendations of several of the Working Groups. We will use these recommendations to achieve our goals, and launch new working groups this fall. It is truly an exciting to be in science at OSU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In more good news, we had a record year of fundraising and raised more than $5 million in gifts from our generous alumni and friends, exceeded our goal by 155%! Our OneScience community is a big tent, and is growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of a Division of Arts and Sciences initiative, our College will participate in Spark: The Year of Art + Science @ OSU throughout 2016-2017. The year-long series of inspirational events, partnerships and collaborations will underscore the nature of art and science and their critical relationship to each other and to others at OSU. Read more about this exciting initiative that will launch this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the best and keep up the excellent work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sastry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sastry G. Pantula<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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All the news that’s fit to print.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Please submit news, honors and awards, discoveries, events, research funding, student news, alumni updates and more. Just send us a quick email<\/a><\/strong> by the end of the month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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PEOPLE: HELLO AND GOODBYE<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Class of 2016<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The College of Science graduated a record 596 students with baccalaureate degrees in 2015-16, including 73 honors baccalaureates. This represents a 34% increase from last year! In addition, we graduated 47 master\u2019s and 50 doctoral students\u2013the highest number of Ph.Ds in recent years. We are proud of all of our graduates, the next generation of leaders in science!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had the chance to talk to six of our recent graduates as they reflected on their undergraduate experience in science: Katie Banowetz<\/a> (physics), Blake Erickson<\/a> (chemistry), Justin Frost<\/a> (microbiology), Lindsey Winkenbach<\/a> (biochemistry & biophysics),Alex Carbaugh-Rutland<\/a> (zoology) and Jonathan Van Why<\/a> (mathematics).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read an open letter<\/a> to our graduates, the next generation of leaders in science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also hosted our second annual Graduation Reception<\/strong><\/a> for science graduates and their families to mark this important milestone before embarking on the next chapter of their lives. Thanks to all the faculty, staff and advisors who joined in the celebration. Graduates posed for selfies at a photo booth featuring backdrops with different science majors and received a special gift to celebrate their graduation from the College of Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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We bid farewell to Distinguished Professor in Biochemistry and Biophysics Balz Frei as he retires this month after leading the Linus Pauling Institute since 1997. Balz reflects on 20 years of progress: nutrition emerging as a \u201chard science\u201d in human health. He outlined some key advances<\/a> during that time and the steps still needed for nutrition researchers to work more closely and successfully with the medical community. We thank you for your outstanding service and wish you all the best, Balz!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best wishes to Chere Pereira, who is retiring this month after 29 years at OSU! Her dedication and service to others has made a significant impact on generations of physicians, dentists and health professionals. She has a deep commitment to her students\u2019 success, which is reflected in her passion. For instance, Chere created what became a tradition\u2014the Pre-dental End of Year BBQ at Dr. Ken Johnson\u2019s house, even baking tooth-shaped cookies for the students to decorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Class of 2017: Who are they?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This fall we will welcome 816 science students, a nine percent increase from last year. Here are some demographics on our newest class of scientists:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

48.5%<\/td>High achieving<\/td><\/tr>
40%<\/td>Minority students<\/td><\/tr>
64.5%<\/td>Female<\/td><\/tr>
35.5%<\/td>Male<\/td><\/tr>
28%<\/td>Pell-eligible<\/td><\/tr>
16%<\/td>1st generation college student<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New Faces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\"Matt \"Heather \"Tze-Yiu \"Chris
Welcome (from left to right) Matt Andrews, Heather Arbuckle, Tze-Yiu Yong and Chris Larson!<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We welcome Matt Andrews<\/strong><\/a> from the University of Minnesota-Duluth as Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Administration(1.0 FTE), effective August 16, 2016. He will help advance the educational, research, diversity and outreach mission of our College. Matt will provide leadership to faculty in developing policies and programs that improve student and faculty success. Matt will also develop, implement and evaluate short\/long-range goals and objectives, streamline and implement our policies and procedures, monitor strategic metrics and budget, and generally assist with the administration and operations in our College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matt is currently a McKnight Presidential Professor and the founding director of the Bio-Translational Research Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. His research interests include genetic factors controlling mammalian hibernation. He completed his bachelor\u2019s at the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Andrews will give a public talk in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics on \u201cNature\u2019s fat-burning machine: Brown adipose tissue in a hibernating mammal\u201d July 12 at 1 pm in ALS 4001. Please join us and meet Matt Andrews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are conducting a search to replace the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs position vacated by Julie Greenwood<\/strong>, who is the new Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies within the Division of Undergraduate Studies<\/a> and will have an impact on students across the university. Good luck, Julie! We will miss you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Thurber<\/strong> has a new joint appointment in our College as an assistant professor in Microbiology in addition to the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. He is part of a successful dual career hire; he is the husband of Rebecca Vega-Thurber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The College welcomes back science alumna Heather Arbuckle<\/strong><\/a> as the new Head Advisor in our College. Once a Beaver, always a Beaver. Heather brings a wealth of experience\u2014including working with students at community colleges\u2014and a passion and commitment to student success and diversity. Her expertise working with transfer student populations will be invaluable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best wishes to Interim Head Advisor Tyler DeAdder<\/strong>, who has been promoted to a director in the College of Engineering. We are grateful to Tyler\u2019s hard work and assistance during this transitional time in winter and spring terms. Good luck, Tyler!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tze-Yiu Yong<\/strong><\/a> joined our College in April as Project and Event Manager. Tze will provide leadership in the areas of events as well as data analytics \u2013 both tactically (data collection, management and reporting) and strategically (goals, policies and procedures). He brings more than 20 years of project and program management experience at all levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Larson<\/strong><\/a> is our new Director of Partnerships and Industrial Programs and responsible for building out capabilities to prepare career-ready students and post docs. By blending professional development curriculum, internship, and other experiential experiences with programs focused on building \u201cT-shape\u201d and \u201c\u03c0-shape\u201d students, we can dramatically increase student competitiveness and position OSU as the place to go to launch a career. Chris joins us from the University of Oregon where he served as the Senior Director of Industry Partnerships and Programs for the Graduate Internship Program for 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our College has received a Scaled Learning Innovation Grant of $100,000 from the Office of Research for the proposal \u201cTraining to Bridge the STEM Professional Innovation Gap.\u201d Chris will play a role in this effort, placing initial professional development modules for OSU\u2019s Professional and Continuing Education. This will be an important part of our revenue model going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RESEARCH EXCELLENCE<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Funding<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We have received $11 million in research funding through May. The College appreciates all of your hard work writing and submitting proposals that make such a significant impact through research and discovery. We are committed to helping all faculty secure funding and to providing better support for grant development. We heard the needs many of you have expressed for better grant support. In our pursuit of excellence, we anticipate growing our success rate on proposals and increase the quantity and quality of proposals submitted in the coming academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grant Development support:<\/strong> We hope the grant writing workshop we held this term was beneficial to you and that the training will increase the competitiveness and quality of your proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep up the excellent work! Here are a few examples of our recent success:<\/p>\n\n\n\n