Save the date for University Day!
September 19, 2023
At Oregon State University, it is our tradition for all faculty and staff to gather together on University Day, a celebratory launch to the academic year. University Day and includes a powerful keynote address, meaningful discussion, awards recognition, and fun prizes for participants.
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022
8:30 to 10 a.m. New Employee Welcome Breakfast
10:30 a.m. Keynote Session, The LaSells Stewart Center, Austin Auditorium
Noon Lunch, north side of the CH2M HILL Alumni Center
Noon to 2 p.m. University Day Expo, CH2M HILL Alumni Center
2022 University Day Speaker
Ruth V. Watkins, PhD
Ruth V. Watkins is president of Strada Impact, where she leads Strada Education Network’s research, philanthropy, thought leadership, and policy efforts to help more individuals access and complete postsecondary education and training to improve their careers and lives.
Before joining Strada in 2021, Watkins built a strong reputation for supporting social change and community workforce needs as the 16th president of the University of Utah. In that role, she increased degree completion rates and research funding, established innovative student funding models, and built strong partnerships with community stakeholders. Uniting the campus as “One U,” Watkins and her team drove innovation in research, education, and operational efficiency, and addressed major societal challenges, including in mental health and interpersonal violence.
Under Watkins’ leadership, the University of Utah cultivated broad and deep connections to communities and was responsive to the state’s workforce needs. During her tenure, the university produced more graduates in high-demand fields than any other state institution, and those graduates secured employment or proceeded to graduate or professional school at noteworthy rates.
Watkins previously served as the University of Utah’s senior vice president for academic affairs for five years before being appointed president. Earlier in her career, she spent 20 years in leadership and faculty roles at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, vice provost, and associate provost.
Watkins graduated with highest honors from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology. She earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in child language at the University of Kansas, where she was a National Institutes of Health predoctoral fellow. Her scholarship focuses on communication development and disabilities in young children.
PRIZES
Prizes are a traditional part of the excitement behind University Day! All attendees at the University Day Keynote Session will receive a ticket to be entered into the prize drawing.
Thank you to our prize donors!
College of Education
• 1 extra-large College of Education T-shirt
• 1 College of Education coffee mug
• 1 College of Education coffee tumbler
• 1 College of Education lanyard
• 4 College of Education pens
• “Don’t me make me use my teacher voice!” stickers
• 1 package of sidewalk chalk
• 1 package of Crayola fine line markers
• 1 package of assorted paintbrushes
• 1 package of colored pencils
• 1 package of large colored markers
College of Liberal Arts:
• 2 CLA t-shirts
• OSU Band t-shirt
• Tickets: Corvallis Symphony Orchestra
• Tickets to Corvallis Repertory Singers
• Tickets to Steinway Piano Series
• OSU Football hat
• 2 Decorated Hardhats
• Coffee & a Tour – Director of Arts & Education Peter Betjemann will buy you a beverage of your choice and then provide a private walking our of the Arts & Education Complex which is scheduled to open in Fall of 2024.
• Various stickers and patches
Honors College:
• 2 coffee mugs
• 3 packets of flavored coffee
• 2 sets of Honors College Coasters
• 2 bottles of Sparkling cider
• 2 passport covers
• 2 luggage tags
• 2 keychains
• 2 lapel pins
• 2 travel kits – includes pillow, towel, and eye mask
• Assorted snacks and chocolates
College of Science – Chemistry Department:
• Bluetiful coloring book
• Crayola Crayons, introducing Bluetiful
• Stickers
• Temporary tattoos
• CIA (Chemistry is Awesome) cup
• CIA Pin
• Beaker coffee mug
• Massager
• Chemistry Department reusable tote bag
Public Health and Human Sciences:
• Water bottle
• Tumbler with lid
• Notebooks
• Pencil case
• Luggage tag
• ID or business card holder
• OSU bottle opener keychain
• Portable charger pack
• Pen
• Stickers
College of Forestry:
• Osprey day pack
• Packable hammock
• Water bottle
• Food thermos
• Multi-functional head/neckwear
• Sun hat
• 2024 OR State Parks Parking Pass
University Housing and Dining, College of Agricultural Sciences
• OSU/Beaver and fall themed snacks and treats
• OSU Football t-shirt
• Spirit items: Pom-poms, megaphone, bracelets, sunglasses, temporary tattoos
• Packaged in square gray bin
• Apron, Charcuterie Board - College of Agricultural Sciences
Printing and Mailing Services, OSU Press and University Information Technology – Media HUB:
• OSU shoulder bag made from recycled vinyl signs – Printing and Mailing
• The People’s School book (by Bill Robbins) – OSU Press
• A School for the People book (by Larry Landis) – OSU Press
• Poster printing vouchers – OIT/HUB
• Handmade coffee mug (packed with sweet treats) – OIT/HUB
• 8 GB SD card and UIT - – OIT/HUB
Procurement, Contracts and Materials Management:
• OSU Football T-shirt
• OSU Football lightweight Hoodie
• Reusable cup with straw
• PAC 12 winter hat
• PAC 12 polo shirt
• Large Beavers stickers
• Oregon book (by Brian S. Campf) – OSU Press
OSU Extension:
• Insulated tote
• Trees to Know and Shrubs to Know book set
• Mini catalog
• Temporary tattoos
• 1 each of six promotional/educational rack cards
• 1 each of four bookmarks
• 1 each of the Safe Canning and Food Preservation brochures (bi-lingual)
• Apron
• Ball cap
• Healthy Living grocery tote
• Cooling towel
• Bandana
• Lip balm
• Crayon pack
Outdoor School
• Hoodie – can exchange size or type
• Reusable cloth masks
• Stickers
• Pens
• Packaged in an OSU cloth tote
Foundation:
• $250 gift card to the Allison Inn and Spa