2024 Black & Orange Awards

And the Winners Are…

If you need a little help feeling optimistic, look no further than the ranks of Beavers making the world better. This fall, on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m., the OSU Alumni Association celebrates the contributions and legacy of outstanding members of our community with the Black and Orange Awards. Here’s a look at 2024’s honorees.

Sue & Gerald Vickers

Joan Austin Honorary Alumni Award

Enthusiastically going above and beyond to bolster philanthropic momentum for OSU Athletics and student-athletes, Sue and Gerald Vickers’ generosity has been pivotal to the development of Reser Stadium, the Valley Football Center, Gill Coliseum, OSU Basketball Center, Goss Stadium, the new Baseball Hitting Facility and more. The couple was honored with the Martin Chaves Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Watch Vicker’s video.

Barbara LaSalle, ’64

E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award

LaSalle’s unshakeable bond with Beaver Nation began during her first days in Corvallis, as part of varsity rowing, yearbook and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She is a regional ambassador and member of the 1868 Society, playing a significant role in forging relationships that have a transformational impact on the university. Watch LaSalle’s video.

Sara and Bob, ’65, Rothschild

Dan W. Poling Service Award

When Sara and Bob Rothschild first traveled to Africa in 2004, they had no idea the trip would lead them to inspire generations of students. In 2005, they established the Robert and Sara Rothschild Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization that partnered with the Botswana Government to build 20 libraries in rural areas. In 2017, they brought their passion for international awareness to OSU with the funding of the Robert and Sara Rothschild Endowed Chair in Global Health. Watch Rothschild’s video.

George Cabrera, ’68, Ed.M. ’69, Ed.M. ’72

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Legacy Award

An educator and emeritus professor, U.S. Army veteran, coach, mentor and volunteer, whose tireless efforts have fostered inclusion and equity within educational institutions and the Latinx communities of McMinnville. Cabrera is known to his peers for standing beside the most vulnerable. He has been instrumental in creating pathways for underrepresented students to access higher education. Watch Cabrera’s video.

Cathy, ’76, and Jim Rudd (Hon. alum. ’06)

Martin Chaves Lifetime Achievement Award

The Rudds’ generosity has buoyed OSU Athletics, particularly football and men’s basketball. Ardent supporters of Oregon State, both have served in volunteer leadership roles with the OSU Foundation. Cathy is a past member of the College of Health’s Campaign Cabinet as well as the President’s Club Leadership Council. Jim, named an OSU honorary alumnus in 2006, is a past chair, and a current board member for, the Athletic Director’s Board of Advisors. Watch Rudd’s video.

Lori Rush, ’78

Jean and C.H. “Scram” Graham Leadership Award

The founder and president of Rush Recruiting and HR, Rush excels at capturing organizational culture, fostering relationships and helping others — traits that have made her a much-admired OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2013. She served as board chair during turbulent times of pandemic and university leadership changes. To this day, she drives efforts that maintain and strengthen connections between former board members and volunteers her expertise through OSUAA career programs and the Beaver Caucus. Watch Rush’s video.

Daniel De León, M.S. ’22

Don and Shirley Wirth Young Alumni Award

With a passion for engineering, De León encourages Oregon Latino youth to pursue STEM education and careers. At Oregon State, he worked to foster a sense of community among Latinx graduate students, and he continues to recruit for OSU engineering graduate programs. He also promotes STEM learning at Portland elementary schools, teaches at Mariachi STEAM summer camps and has been a guest speaker at the Portland Metro STEM Partnership STEMposium and for Hillsboro School District’s Latino Youth Program. Watch León’s video.

Alumni Fellows

Kirk Maag, ’05

Alumni fellow, Honored by the College of Agricultural Sciences

An environmental and natural resources attorney and partner at Stoel Rives LLP in Portland, Maag is a leader in Oregon’s agricultural and natural resources community, making a daily impact on the lives of many in the industry. He holds roles as the president of the Oregon Future Farmers of America Foundation Board of Directors and the Cultivating Change Foundation Board of Directors.

Eric MacKender, ’00

Alumni Fellow, honored by the Honors College

Committed to giving back after earning a scholarship to fund his education, MacKender became a financial supporter of OSU and the Honors College soon after being recruited to Chevron. He was named to the College of Engineering’s Council of Outstanding Early Career Engineers in 2018 and joined the Honors College Board of Regents in 2014, continuing his unwavering commitment to student support.

Patricia (Pat) McDonald, ’86

Alumni Fellow, Honored by the College of Engineering

For more than 30 years, McDonald has balanced building her career at Intel with serving her community. Known for mentoring early career engineers and championing women’s success in STEM, she has served on the Dean’s Leadership Council for the College of Engineering, as part of the Celebration of Women in Engineering Career Diversity panel and more.

Joel Peterson, ’69

Alumni Fellow, Honored by the College of Science

Nicknamed “the Godfather of Zin” by the Smithsonian Institution, Peterson has a notable winemaking career that includes founding Ravenswood Winery in 1976, being inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame, having his tools featured in national exhibitions, and serving on numerous vintners and growers associations and boards. Since 2014, he has been a member of the College of Science’s Board of Advisors, having previously served on the college’s Board of Visitors.

Julie Pullen, Ph.D. ’00

Alumni Fellow, Honored by the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences

As a climate scientist, oceanographer and meteorologist, Pullen is on the frontlines of creating climate resilience solutions. She is the founding partner and chief scientist with Propeller Ventures, a climate-tech venture fund that invests in early-stage ocean and climate tech companies. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Pullen generously gives her time to volunteer and advocate for OSU.

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Ragan, ’13

Alumni Fellow, Honored by the College of Health

A standout student while at OSU, Ragan has contributed substantially to the field of infectious diseases. Her extensive experience in health outcomes and pandemic prevention earned her an appointment to the 2022-23 class of White House Fellows in the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Today, she serves as the senior advisor to the deputy under secretary for health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Suzanne Simard, M.S. ’89, Ph.D. ’95

Alumni Fellow, Honored by the College of Forestry

A pioneer in the study of plant communication and intelligence, Simard has gained global recognition. Her revolutionary work in forest ecology led to the recognition of the overlooked but potentially important role of plant cooperation in determining forest responses to climate change and disturbance. Read more about her work in Re-seeing Trees.

Trey Winthrop, ’93

Alumni Fellow, Honored by the College of Business

Winthrop’s 17-year tenure with Bob’s Red Mill has included leading the corporation through its transition to a 100% employee-owned company in 2020, as CFO, and becoming CEO in 2022. He has served as a member of the OSU Portland Business Roundtable and currently sits on the College of Business Dean’s Council of Excellence.

Network Award

OSU Innovation and Design Network

Outstanding Alumni Network Award

Established in 2009 in partnership with the OSU Alumni Association, the OSU Innovation and Design Network has fostered a robust, inclusive and uplifting community for students and alumni. Through signature events including Industry Connect, Industry Talks and Industry Socials, it has created opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, and celebrating and advancing design fields. The network has been particularly successful in bringing together Portland based design professionals and OSU students. Watch OSUIDN’s video.

2024 Black & Orange AwardsThe OSUAA honors Oregon State alumni and friends doing amazing things.