June 2025

Greetings CAS Community,

With summer officially underway, it’s a great time to take a breath, look back on a successful year, and celebrate everything we’ve accomplished together.

Congratulations to our graduates! We were thrilled to host our second annual college-wide graduation ceremony earlier this month—an event that continues to grow in energy and attendance. It was a joy to honor your hard work and achievements in the company of friends and family.

We were lucky to have alumnus Kirk Maag as our keynote speaker. Now a partner at Oregon’s largest law firm, he shared his journey from OSU with a mix of humor and inspiration. If you missed it, check out this short two-minute video or watch the full ceremony here.

I also want to extend my congratulations to our outstanding faculty and staff who were recognized at this year’s awards celebration. Your dedication to teaching, research, outreach, and service continues to make a real difference—both on campus and in communities across the state.

Looking ahead, summer is a busy and exciting time for us, with Field Days happening at our experiment stations throughout Oregon. These events are an important way we share research with growers and support local industries and communities. And don’t forget to catch this year’s Art About Agriculture touring exhibit, which celebrates the diverse perspectives and stories rooted in our working landscapes.

Thank you all for your hard work and commitment over the past year. I hope you find time this summer to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with those you care about.

Go Beavs!

Staci L. Simonich, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Dean and Reub Long Professor
College of Agricultural Sciences
Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station