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“Oregon State University” takes an in-depth look at OSU’s enduring legacy as a school for the people of Oregon, and its continued impact today with cutting-edge research projects conducted around the world—in technology, natural resources, marine sciences, and more. 

In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed federal legislation creating land-grant schools that would provide a practical education for the masses. It was a radical idea in a time when higher education was only accessible to the wealthy. The mission of land-grant schools would be to provide a low-cost instruction in agriculture, military science, and engineering. 

The federal government provided states with federal land to fund the new institutions. In 1868, the Oregon Legislature chose Corvallis College as its official land-grant school. Over the years, the school would have many names, including the Oregon Agricultural College (OAC), and finally in 1961, Oregon State University.

Today, OSU is one of only two institutions in the country to be designated land, sea, space, and sun grant status. Those federal designations provide unique opportunities to conduct and share research on a broad range of issues related to natural resources. OPB’s documentary “Oregon State University” uses hundreds of rare images, historic film, and oral histories with illustrious alumni.

“Oregon State University” is written and produced by Kami Horton and edited by Bruce Barrow. 

Read the Corvallis Gazette Times article about this event.

June 5, 2018 screening at the Tower Theater in Bend.

July 6, 2018 screening at the LaSells Stewart Center in Corvallis.

The program features interviews with: 

  • Daniel Arp, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences 
  • Margaret Burnett, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science
  • John Byrne, OSU president 1984-1995, former NOAA administrator 
  • Lynne Clendenin, Vice President of Programming, OPB
  • Mike Dicianna, Lead Reference Student, OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center
  • Mary Gallagher, Collections Manager, Benton County Historical Society  
  • Terrance Harris, Director, Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center
  • Jonathan Hurst, Dynamics Robotics Laboratory & associate professor of Robotics 
  • Lawrence Landis, director, OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center 
  • Jane Lubchenco, distinguished professor, former NOAA administrator
  • Brian McMenamin, Co-founder McMenamins  
  •  Dan McMenamin, Co-owner McMenamins  
  • Sylvia Moore, professor emeritus of Women’s Athletics
  • Michael Oriard, former professional American football player, emeritus distinguished professor of American Literature and Culture
  • Edward Ray, OSU president 
  • William Robbins, emeritus distinguished professor of History
  • Cynthia Sagers, Vice President for Research  
  • Henry Sayre, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art History
  • Jo Anne Trow, Former Dean of Women, Former Vice Provost