Hello Beaver Caucus Advocate,
On January 11, 2021, Oregon’s elected representatives were sworn in for the 81st Legislative Session. Included in this group are a number of OSU alumni, representing communities across the state. Take a moment to learn more about our alumni serving in the legislature, and contact your representative today to let them know that OSU and support for higher education matters to their constituents.
Alumni Senators
- Sen. Brian Boquist, District 12 (‘90 MBA, College of Business)
- Sen. Sara Gelser, District 8 (‘99, Graduate School)
- Sen. Fred Girod, District 9 (‘73 College of Science)
Alumni Representatives
- Rep. Shelly Boshart-Davis, District 15 (‘03 College of Business)
- Rep. Jami Cate, District 17 (‘09 College of Agricultural Sciences)
- Rep. Brian Clem, District 21 (‘94 College of Liberal Arts)
- Rep. Paul Evans, District 20 (‘01 Graduate School)
- Rep. David Gomberg, District 10 (‘76 College of Liberal Arts)
- Rep. Jason Kropf, District 54 (‘92 College of Liberal Arts)
- Rep. E. Werner Reschke, District 56 (‘88 College of Business)
Town Hall with District 10’s Rep. David Gomberg
On Thursday, January 14, 2021, Representative David Gomberg, District 10 (‘76 College of Liberal Arts) joined President F. King Alexander for an engaging conversation to kick off the 2021 Legislative Session. They talked about OSU’s impact on the Coast and throughout the state, including OSU’s Extension Programs, OSU-Cascades, and the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building. They also discussed the Governor’s Recommended Budget and how the session will be impacted by COVID-19 and ongoing concerns about the safety of public spaces.
Rep. Gomberg noted the 2021 Legislative Session will be “unlike one we’ve ever seen before” due to considerations and restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Gomberg encouraged Beaver Caucus advocates to meet with legislators in their districts. “The strength of OSU is we have graduates across the entire breadth of Oregon—we have Beaver Believers in Portland, Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon and the Oregon Coast. Each legislator can have [OSU alumni] living in their own districts, meeting and talking with them about their concerns for higher education.”
You can view the full webinar on the Beaver Caucus’s new YouTube channel.
OSU Statewide Impact
OSU impacts every county in Oregon. Over the last several months, OSU’s TRACE COVID-19 project visited Newport to test residents. After finding the Latino and Indigenous populations were testing positive at a higher rate, OSU’s Extension Service conducted listening sessions with the community and developed an information campaign. This campaign is the first step in a long-term project to build resilience in Lincoln County. Read the story here.
OSU College of Pharmacy faculty and students, researchers, and alumni are aiding in the nationwide effort to distribute and administer COVID-19 vaccines. Many students are assisting with the vaccination efforts through rotation locations, internship opportunities, and even volunteering at local immunization clinics. Read more here.
Learn more about what OSU is doing in your district by visiting OSU Extension’s Our Impact website and OSU’s Statewide District Profiles.
Save the Date!
- OSU Statewide Day at the Capitol: Wednesday, March 24, 2021
- OSU Day at the Capitol: Thursday, May 6, 2021
Go Beavs!
Sincerely,
Bill Perry
President
The Beaver Caucus is an independent, alumni-led organization. It is a 501(c)4 with an independent board of directors. The Caucus works closely with the OSU Foundation to engage alumni and supporters, giving them the opportunity to amplify their voice and have a substantive impact on state government.
