This Sunday, September 9, is the final day of Oregon State University’s sesquicentennial exhibition, Oregon State University: A Legacy of Transformation. On view at the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland, this groundbreaking exhibition shares, through 150 stories, how OSU has transformed the community, the state, the nation, and the world in surprising ways. The unique features in the exhibit include: A digital table that tells 150 OSU stories; The school bell from Corvallis College, Oregon State University’s original name; An interactive whale activity meant to give attendees a sense of how whales feed; and A re-creation of OSU’s Memorial Union, including an interactive coffee table that plays sounds of Oregon State from the alma mater to the OSU fight song. Talented alumni have made strides in many fields, from science to athletics. Dick Fosbury (‘72) revolutionized track and field when his back-first high jump technique won him a gold medal at the 1969 Olympics. Other notable alumni featured in the exhibit include Douglas Engelbart (‘48) who invented the computer mouse; award-winning animator Harley Jessup (‘76) who brought characters to life in Monsters Inc., Ratatouille, and other movies; and Bernie Newcomb (‘65) who cofounded E*Trade, one of the first internet stock-trading companies. “Whether you are a proud member of ‘Beaver Nation,’ or someone who is unfamiliar with OSU, I am confident that you will leave the exhibit with a deep appreciation for the vital role that the university and its graduates have played in the history and culture of our state and nation,” said Oregon Historical Society Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk. Oregon State University’s commemoration of its 150th anniversary will culminate with two events at its Corvallis campus in October. The OSU150 Land Grant Festival will take place from October 1 – 17 and include more than 20 free events that celebrate Oregon State’s role as the state’s land grant university. On October 23, the university will host “The Promise and the Peril of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics,” a free, daylong symposium featuring Oregon State faculty and national experts who will discuss the potential benefits, risks, ethics, and uncertainties of artificial intelligence and robotics. The Oregon Historical Society museum is open seven days a week, Monday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 12pm – 5pm. Admission to the museum is currently discounted to $5 as we renovate our permanent exhibition on the third floor. Admission is free every day for OHS members and Multnomah County residents.
