Fall 2025 1 PHOTO BY KARL MAASDAM, ’93 F E A T U R E In Every Issue On the Cover C ON T E N T S FALL 2025 2 PHOTO ESSAY 5 EDITOR'S LETTER 7 PUBLISHER'S LETTER 8 LETTERS 58 IN MEMORIAM 64 BACKSTORY ← Vintage OSU buttons from the collection of Susan and Bob Schmidt. Photo by Karl Maasdam, ’93. 32 For Love or Money From “pay to play” to the transfer portal, Oregon State alumni student-athletes reflect on the college sports shake-up. By Kip Carlson 38 Super Fans! There are fans, and then there are superfans. Meet some of the colorful characters at the heart of school pride. By Scholle McFarland THE QUAD VOICES P.12 President Jayathi Murthy talks federal research funding cuts; six alumni on what they imagined their biggest challenge would be after graduation. NEWS P. 16 The university releases an economic impact report; a new research forest added outside of Portland; the Wester Flyer sails once again. RESEARCH P. 23 How Oregon State made its mark on the new PDX airport terminal; a study shows that outdoor recreation is essential for mental health. CULTURE P. 27 Initiatives aim to improve students’ ability to talk through heated topics; a student-run press launches. OUR COMMUNITY ALUMNI NEWS P. 49 Steve Gass, ’86, and the quest to make table saws safer; updates from alumni around the globe. O N L I N E OREGON STATER SPOTLIGHT Portland mayor Keith Wilson, ’86, talks about his path to public service in a Stater video at oregonstater. org/mayor-wilson. The magazine of the Oregon State University Alumni Association
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