Alumni Fellows Conversations with OSU Influencers

The Alumni Fellows recognition program was established by the Oregon State University Alumni Association in 1988 to recognize eminent alumni. Every two years, the OSU Alumni Association recognizes new Fellows that distinguished themselves in their professions and communities, as well as thank them and celebrate them for all that they have done and will continue to do.

Many of our alumni in Oregon live and work in the Portland-metro area, and in 2023 we are showcasing the amazing ways they have impacted the community. Beavers are known for making the unbelievable happen. Through the Alumni Fellows program, Oregon State is reaching out to Portlanders to show our gratitude and support for their great work and celebrate their success and love for the city and the state.

Nominations are due Jan. 13, 2023. The online celebration is April 11, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Save the date!

2020 Alumni Fellows
The 2020 Alumni Fellows include inspiring storytellers and scientists recording the world through research and art. Passionate mentors and educators opening doors for all learners and business leaders who care for their communities as well as their organizations. Health professionals and conservationists safeguarding the future of humans and the natural world. A powerful slate of diverse women reaching great heights. They proudly carry their cultures and backgrounds into their work and are better leaders for it.

Learn about each one of our 2020 Alumni Fellows by viewing their presentations below. These presentations and the panel discussion were recorded the week of Oct. 19, 2020. If you have questions for one of our Fellows or the Alumni Fellows recognition program in general, please contact osualum@osualum.com.

Cristina Eisenberg, Ph.D. '12

Principal investigator for the FBIC Native Seed and Prairie Restoration Program, as well as for two major on-the-ground projects with First Nations and Native American communities, Eisenberg who is Native American and Latina integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge into environmental restoration practices. The Smithsonian Institution research associate and former Earthwatch Institute chief scientist shares her expertise on numerous international ecological restoration boards and working groups. She earned a College of Forestry Outstanding Alumna Award in 2019.

Watch the recording

Ric Campo, '76

Ric Campo is admired for his success in large-scale residential real estate and his long track record of generosity and service to his employees, customers and community, He is co-founder, chairman and CEO of Camden Property Trust, one of the largest operations of its kind. Campo also led the successful effort to bring the 2017 Super Bowl to Houston, and he currently serves as chairman of the Port of Houston Authority. Camden Property Trust was one of the first companies in the nation to respond to the COVID-19 crisis with major corporate generosity, creating the Camden Cares Resident Relief Program to provide $10.5 million in financial relief to their residents who have lost income during the pandemic.

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Betty Hutchinson Flad, '67

Flad served as director of administrative licensure for Lewis & Clark College in Portland, following nearly four decades of tireless leadership as a teacher, principal, administrator and consultant in the Beaverton School District. Currently, she creates pathways for prepared and impassioned future educators as a cornerstone supporter of OSU’s Teach for Beaverton district partnership program and as a member of the Alumni and Friends Leadership Circle in the OSU College of Education.

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Dr. Eva Galvez, '99

Galvez is a family physician at the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. The daughter of immigrants, she and her twin sister, Olivia, graduated from OSU’s biology program and went on to pursue careers in medicine. Galvez regularly speaks on panels to educate the public around Latino health disparities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Galvez became a vocal advocate for mitigating health risks for Oregon’s seasonal farm workers and has addressed the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis in the House of Representatives.

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Rebecca Hernandez, Ph.D. '05

Hernandez has transformed the student experience and elevated multicultural awareness in her role as associate provost, local and global engagement and chief diversity officer at George Fox University in Newberg and in her prior role at Goshen College, where she led the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning for four years. Before supporting diverse scholars in higher education, she worked in community development, directing efforts to improve health, education and economic support for Oregon’s Latino communities.

To learn a little more about Rebecca Hernandez, view this interview by Casey Farm, Director of Alumni Relations for the College of Public Health and Human Sciences.

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Christopher Johns, '74

Renowned photojournalist and award-winning former editor-in-chief of National Geographic magazine, Johns now serves as a strategic advisor to the National Geographic Society. He is a member of the advisory board for the Oregon Stater magazine and in the upcoming year will support OSU journalism students through mentorship experiences and classroom collaborations.

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Dr. SreyRam Kuy, '00

Accomplished surgeon and deputy chief medical officer for quality and safety with the VISN 16 South Central VA Health Care Network, Kuy is widely recognized as an international leader in health care policy and management. She was the first woman appointed to be deputy undersecretary for community care in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and in 2019 was one of just 21 healthcare leaders to earn an Aspen Institute Health Innovators Fellowship.

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Margaret Hiza Redsteer, Ph.D. '99

Redsteer is an internationally known climate change scientist, conservationist, and an important voice for culturally competent science. As a professor at University of Washington Bothell, Redsteer inspires young scientists in environment, climate change adaptation and Earth systems sciences. She previously led a 20-year career with the U.S. Geological Survey addressing environmental issues, particularly on tribal lands.

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Scott Williams, '74

Williams, chairman of Hamilton Construction and staple in Oregon’s transportation industry, was inducted to the OSU College of Engineering’s Academy of Distinguished Engineers in 2006. For over a decade, he has served on the Board of Directors for the OSU Construction Education Foundation and been active in local and national chapters of the Associated General Contractors of America.

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Julianne Wood-Rethwill, '75

During an accomplished 30-year career in senior management, Wood-Rethwill led product and technology research, new business development and international marketing for a diverse product span, including managing the team that developed Splenda granular, packet and table consumer products. She retired as Director of New Business Development for one of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. She is current chair of the OSU Food Science and Technology Advisory Board.

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PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

Agricultural Sciences
1988 - Ernest Jaworski
1989 - Keith McKennon
1991 - Larry McKay
2000 - James Oldfield
2004 - Bill and Karla Chambers
2005 - Roy Saigo
2006 - Gretchen Schuette
2007 - William Sandine
2009 - Carl Casale
2011 - James T. Martin
2013 - James E. Womack
2016 - Hiram Larew
2020 - Julianne Wood-Rethwill

Business
1989 - James Coleman
1990 - Stanley Hong
1991 - Ben Whiteley
1998 - Bernard Newcomb
2002 - Duane McDougall
2003 - Mike Rich
2006 - Ken Thrasher
2008 - John Gray
2010 - Stephen M. Bailey
2012 - Gayle Fitzpatrick
2015 - Tom Toomey
2020 - Ric Campo

Education
2007 - Jerry Colonna
2009 - Mary Spilde
2011 - Erin Prince
2013 - Sandra Henderson
2016 - Eric Meslow
2018 - Camille Preus
2020 - Betty Hutchinson Flad

Engineering
1990 - Andrew Smith
1993 - Arthur Hitsman
2001 - Peter Johnson
2001 - Gregory Merten
2002 - Jeffery D. Peace
2003 - Don Pettit
2005 - Jen-Hsun Huang
2006 - Jay McQuillen, Jr.
2010 - Walter G. Kortschak
2015 - Tom Skoro
2018 - Randy McCourt
2020 - Scott Williams

Forestry
1988 - James Overbay
1998 - Pamela Matson
2007 - Jaime A. Pinkham
2009 - Steven Running
2011 - William Lange
2013 - Martin Goebel
2020 - Cristina Eisenberg, Ph.D

Public Health and Human Sciences
1989 - Katherine Smith
1994 - Soo-Jae Moon
1997 - Jean Thomas
2004 - Dr. Ann Streissguth
2006 - Susan Parker
2008 - Leila Keltner
2010 - Margaret L. Carter
2012 - Celia Austin
2015 - Dave Underriner
2018 - Jeremiah J. Allen
2020 - Rebecca Hernandez, Ph.D

Honors College
2009 - Ruth Beyer
2011 - Daniel D. Euhus
2013 - Carol Hill Pickard
2016 - Andrew Bartmess
2018 - Jeremy Cutsforth-Gregory
2020 - Dr. SreyRam Kuy

Liberal Arts
1991 - Harley Jessup
1992 - Chris Anderson
1993 - Norman Monroe
1994 - William Krippaehne
1995 - Jennifer Dorn
1996 - Larry Kirkland
1999 - Rod Chandler
1999 - Rebecca Parker
2005 - James “Jim” Wiggett
2006 - Michael Chamness
2010 - Jonathan Isaacs
2012 - Roosevelt Credit
2015 - Mary Carlin Yates
2018 - Angela Snow
2020 - Christopher Johns

Earth, Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences

1995 - John McGowan
2008 - Margaret Leinen
2010 - Richard W. Spinrad
2012 - Ellen Bishop
2015 - Laura Anderson
2018 - Ian Madin
2020 - Margaret Hiza Redsteer, Ph.D.

Pharmacy
1992 - Steven Oliva
1997 - Stephen Roath
2006 - Sara White
2008 - Robin Richardson
2010 - Kim L. Brouwer
2012 - Shelton Louie
2015 - Penny Reher

Science
1988 - James Bowen
1989 - Warren Washington
1992 - Kenneth Evenson
1993 - Leslie Gottlieb
1994 - Robert Coleman
1995 - Steven Lindow
1996 - Roy Teranishi
1997 - Karl Drlica
1998 - James Reinmuth
1999 - Janet Ford
2000 - Peggy Cherng
2001 - Zelma Long
2002 - Jon DeVaan
2003 - David Wong
2004 - Barry Willis
2009 - Rusty Gorman
2011 - Duane Nellis
2013 - Jack R. Borsting
2016 - Kent Thornburg
2018 - Marian Waterman
2020 - Dr. Eva Galvez

Veterinary Medicine
2000 - Scott Campbell
2007 - Helen Diggs
2009 - Bruce Mueller
2011 - Joseph H. Snyder
2013 - Debra Nelson
2016 - Kris Otteman
2018 - Connie White