Meet OSU’s New Provost The University’s academic leader is a familiar face with a fresh vision.

Roy Haggerty, environmental geologist and longtime Oregon State University leader, returned this fall as the university’s next provost and executive vice president. He spent 26 years at OSU as a faculty member and administrator before taking on the role of provost at Louisiana State University in 2022. Haggerty will now guide the academic direction of the university.

Why did you want to return to Oregon State? My wife, Amanda, and my children and grandchildren are here; I spent most of my career here; and OSU is a world-class university that I love. Most important professionally: I am inspired by President Murthy’s ambitious strategic plan, “Prosperity Widely Shared.”

What makes you passionate about higher education? Colleges and universities, and particularly research universities, are some of the best institutions humanity has ever created for increasing human prosperity and well-being, and they merit our investment of time and treasure. Why? Because every problem we face exists from the lack of knowledge on how to solve it. Universities exist to generate and propagate that knowledge.

What is one of the first things you’re focusing on this year? Our strategic plan commits us to the bold goal of every student graduating. We know that many students who leave do so between the fall and winter terms of their first year, which makes those first weeks on campus absolutely crucial. That’s why we’re focusing on a strong start — through advising, mentoring and helping students feel a sense of belonging right away. If we get that right, we set students up not just to stay for their first year, but also to walk across the stage at graduation. That’s what every Beaver deserves.

What was your favorite course in college? Applied linear algebra. I took linear algebra and found it rather dull. (Sorry, math colleagues!) When I took applied linear algebra — combining coding, differential equations and linear algebra — and discovered all that I could do with it, I fell in love.

How would you convince today’s parents that college is worth the money? You will never regret an investment in knowledge. It’s the best investment in the future you could possibly make.