2026 Black and Orange Awards

Black and Orange Awards Celebration

Whether they’re volunteering in their communities, reaching career milestones or expanding opportunities for the university and its students, Oregon Staters are changing the world. To celebrate their achievements, the OSU Alumni Association presents several awards to outstanding Beavers throughout the year, the Black and Orange Awards the most prestigious among them.

Join us as we gather with the honorees; their friends and families; university, OSU Foundation and OSU Alumni Association leadership; and past winners to pay tribute to their exemplary achievements during the 2026 Black and Orange Awards Celebration.

Thursday, Oct. 15 | 6 p.m.
Homecoming & Family Weekend

Awards ceremony and dinner celebration
$75 per person
CH2M HILL Alumni Center
Cocktail attire, OSU colors encouraged

2026 BLACK AND ORANGE AWARD RECIPIENTS

E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award
Patricia Valian Reser, ’60, ’19 (Hon. Ph.D.)
Trailblazing philanthropist, volunteer, educator and business leader, fundamentally shaping the educational and cultural landscape of the university and the state.

Joan Austin Honorary Alumni Award 
Tamara A. Valley
Stewarding a family legacy to support excellence in higher education, her family’s foundation has enhanced OSU’s prominence with transformative and strategic gifts.

Dan W. Poling Service Award 
Jon DeVaan, ’85, ’11 (Hon. Ph.D.)
Applying decades of leadership, along with generous service, philanthropy and technology expertise, to advance hands-on learning and sustainable water solutions.

Martin Chaves Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented in partnership with OSU Athletics
Gayle Fitzpatrick, ’78
Developing future leaders through committed philanthropic support for student-athletes while engaged in over three decades of service at OSU and nationally.

Jean & C.H. “Scram” Graham Leadership Award 
Jon Bettendorf, ’88
Championing alumni engagement and helping guide Oregon State's future through more than a decade of distinguished volunteer leadership.

Don and Shirley Wirth Young Alumni Award 
Morgan Stosic, ’19
Rising leader in one of the most competitive fields in aerospace, demonstrating the strength and real-world impact of an OSU education.

Outstanding Network Award 
Treasure Valley Network
Fostering camaraderie among Beavers, with an emphasis on service and student support that serves as a model for OSU’s regional alumni-led networks.

Alumni Inclusive Leadership Award (2026) 
Victoria Nguyen, ’95, MAIS ’06
Strengthening Oregon State's culture of belonging through student mentorship and board leadership that helped launch numerous alumni community networks.

Photos and videos from this event may be used in Oregon State University promotional materials. By attending this event, you consent to have your photo taken and appear in videos and allow use of these photographs and videos by OSU, the Foundation or the Alumni Association for promotional purposes.