ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation.

RASPBERRY (raz’ber’e) n. A sharp, scornful comment, criticism or rebuke; a derisive, splatting noise, often called the Bronx cheer.

We hereby deliver:

• ROSES to Oregon State University benefactors, past and future.

We bid a solemn farewell to a generous OSU benefactor Martin N. Kelley, an Oregon engineer and OSU alumnus whose donation of $20 million in 2000 built the state-of-the-art Kelley Engineering Center.

Kelley died at his Lake Oswego home on June 18 at the age of 80.

Kelley’s generous gift already has helped to move OSU from its place in the middle of the pack of engineering schools to somewhere in the high 30s or low 40s, well on the way to the goal of being in the top 25.

However, the sad news we reported Thursday was balanced by a hopeful development:

• ROSES to a new agreement signed between OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute and whale researcher Bruce Mate and celebrity wildlife advocate Terri Irwin.

The widow of “wildlife warrior” Steve Irwin was back in her native Oregon on Wednesday to sign an agreement creating the Steve Irwin Whale Research Fund to finance six trips to study humpback whales.

The first two expeditions — to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands in September and American Samoa in October — are estimated to cost $250,000 each.

Irwin plans accompany the expeditions to film specials for The Discovery Channel, with the goal of bringing greater awareness to renewed dangers to humpback whales. It also will bring more international recognition to the important work by Mate and other OSU marine mammal researchers.

We have to say it: Good on ya, Mate and Irwin.

• RASPBERRIES to slow learners. Consider, for instance, the story of Shawn LaFollette, 37, of Silverton:

Almost five years ago, LaFollette was engulfed by a fire that started while he was attempting to steal hundreds of gallons of gasoline from a Philomath gas station. He was convicted of what were then misdemeanor crimes, and he still owed more than $29,000 in restitution. In fact, he was behind on those payments.

LaFollette had escaped the worst consequences of the Nov. 29, 2003 fire: He was not horribly scarred — at least, not according to his most recent mug shot. It was taken Monday by Salem police, who arrested LaFollette for reportedly attempting to steal mass quantities of diesel fuel from a card-lock station in Salem.

Well, at least we hear that diesel fuel is less flammable, but we share the reaction of Philomath Police Chief Ken Elwer who, upon hearing of LaFollette’s most recent arrest, said: “He certainly didn’t learn from his near-death experience.”

Salem police said they are questioning LaFollette in connection with a series of gasoline thefts in Salem. And with the price of gasoline being what it is, the consequences for a conviction this time might amount to a whole other kind of burn.

• ROSES to the dedicated parents and supporters of the former Inavale rural school southwest of Corvallis.

Talk about a story that defines a “can do” attitude:

After the Corvallis School District closed the excellent little K-8 Inavale School in June 2006 because of low enrollment, the supporters of its program-based curriculum vowed to start a charter school along the same educational emphasis.

On Saturday, after obtaining permission and backing and negotiating much red tape, the new Muddy Creek Charter School is hosting its first open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at 30252 Bellfountain Road — the site of the former Inavale School.

Although only 61 students have enrolled so far, more teachers need to be hired and in general there is much work to be done, we are glad to take the time to applaud what is an impressive effort. Congratulations to all who were involved.

• RASPBERRIES to failure to comprehend our legal system. After her sentencing Tuesday to 16 years and 8 months for a horrific 2007 wrong-way Interstate 5 accident near Albany that killed two members of the Eugene symphony in 2007, Fivea Shapiroff of Salem informed the Linn County courtroom that she would not accept any offers, would not go to prison and would not pay any fines or taxes.

When Judge John McCormick asked what she meant by “taxes,” she repeated the prepared statement.

Now, we can understand that many people convicted of crimes — say two counts of first degree manslaughter and one count each of second-degree assault and drunken driving, for example — might not want to go to prison.

But see, that is supposed to be the deterrent that keeps people from getting so drunk that they drive the wrong way on the freeway, kill two women and cause lasting disabling injuries and lingering nightmares to the lone survivor.

We are most sympathetic to the children of people who are sent to prison, and we wish the family well. But we also hope that some reality, remorse and accountability supplant an attitude ringing with arrogance and defiance.

• ROSES to the Corvallis Jaycees, who gave us (and prospective customers) a demonstration Wednesday of the fireworks they are selling at the Napa store on Ninth Street to finance the spectacular aerial show they put on at the Red, White and Blues Fourth of July festival on the Corvallis riverfront.

We’re looking forward to it, but we’ve heard that donations and sales this year of the little fireworks are down. So we’re hinting here: If you like those double-and-triple bursts of aerial color, we’re hoping you’ll throw some support to a spectacular cause.