Former chair of the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees modeled love of family, community, university
The Oregon State University community grieves the sudden loss of Mark Kralj, ’77, who died on Oct. 1 at age 69. A retired principal at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Kralj was a highly valued and exceptionally active volunteer leader at the university, including board service for OSU-Cascades and the College of Business. He chaired the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees from 2006-07 as the organization geared up for the public launch of what would be the $1.1 billion Campaign for OSU, the university's first comprehensive fundraising campaign.
“Mark was a great Beaver and a great board member. He was a ‘positive skeptic’ who liked to engage in robust dialogue, always with an eye on what was best for OSU, now and for the long term,” said OSU Foundation President and CEO Shawn L. Scoville. “We loved seeing him and Kathy at many, many university events and hearing about his kids, Joel, Nicholas and Emily, and grandchildren he loved so much. Our deepest sympathies go to all the family.”
New members this year in the Harris Society, Kralj and his wife Katherine R. Kralj long supported OSU Athletics and the College of Business, increasingly focusing on scholarships as they became aware of students’ needs amid rising costs. One of their scholarships honors Kralj’s parents and others support Honors College students and student veterans at OSU-Cascades.
“We’ve been fortunate in our lives to have many blessings,” Kralj said in a recent interview. “We need to share our blessings with people who have not been as fortunate.”
Kralj started studying forestry at OSU but took an accounting class and realized it was his calling. The educational foundation he received in the College of Business set the course for his successful 42-year career in finance and investment, largely at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management. The firm’s tribute to Mark highlights his commitment to giving back and community service, noting that he served on more than 20 boards and committees throughout his career and since his retirement in 2017.
A feature story in the College of Business Exchange magazine (page 16) tells more about Kralj and his daughter Emily Kralj, ’10.