$25 million raised in first two months; building projects already underway as part of the effort

Oregon State University's first campus-wide capital campaign is making strong headway toward its goal of raising $625 million and is expected to have collected $25 million in its first two months.

The Campaign for OSU stood at $350 million when it was unveiled with much fanfare Oct. 26.

"It will at least be $375 million, if not more than that" by the end of the year, said Mike Goodwin, president and CEO of the OSU Foundation.

Included will be two new gifts of $5 million and $4 million, and there have been several donations of $100,000, he said.

"We're really excited about where we're going, but we've got a lot of work to do," Goodwin added.

While fundraising continues, the impact of the campaign is happening already, and can be most easily noticed through construction on campus.

Outside Apperson Hall recently, OSU construction manager Greg Strombeck watched as a crane lifted a boiler from the 1899 structure, which is becoming more hollow with every passing day.

"We're in the process of demo-ing the interior of the building," he said. "This is a very unusual project. It is an Oregon State treasure, and as such, we are not going to disturb the exterior of the building."

The building at the corner of 15th Street and Monroe Avenue will be rebuilt and transformed into the modern Kearney Hall thanks to a $12-million project that was funded entirely by donors. It is only one of several projects in the Campaign for OSU. Kearney Hall will be completed in time for winter term 2009.

Projects that were completed during the university fundraiser's "silent phase" include about $125 million in Reser Stadium expansion and improvements and the $45 million Kelley Engineering Center.

Donations for those were intended to be part of a campus-wide campaign that OSU considered a few years earlier, but shelved amid feasibility concerns.

A $20 million Weatherford Hall renovation is mostly complete, as well.

Ongoing construction work that is part of the Campaign for OSU includes: a $12.3-

million upgrade of Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which will add an arena, horse treadmill and isolation facility, and will be complete in two or three months; the new $13 million Sports Performance Center, also known as Gill annex, which will be complete by April 2008; and $6 million in Goss Stadium improvements that will allow more fans to watch OSU's two-time reigning national champion baseball team play.

Still others are being planned, including an Academic Success Center and the centerpiece of the campaign, the $62.5 million Linus Pauling Science Center, where OSU hopes to advance teaching and research in preventative health care, chemistry and the life sciences. The center, to be built west of Nash Hall, will house chemists, lab space and the Linus Pauling Institute.

The building projects often include a mix of public and private funding.

OSU was the last school in the Pac-10 to have a comprehensive fundraising campaign.

News Tracker

Here are the top stories of 2007 for Oregon State University.

University growth

THE STORY: On June 17, the biggest batch of Beaver graduates ever marched into Reser Stadium for commencement ceremonies. More than 4,300 students received degrees. The fall held more good news for OSU, as enrollment, at 19,750, was the highest ever.

UPDATE: According to an Oregon University System official, OSU's strong retention of students led to the increased enrollment. OSU hopes to get more students next year as state financial aid offerings are increased.

Blackout at Reser

THE STORY: Some students trying to show school spirit and "blackout" Reser Stadium for an Oct. 6 OSU football game showed up with their faces painted black and wearing fake afros. Some students and community members were offended, saying it showed campus insensitivity about race issues.

UPDATE: A noose hanging on the front lawn of a fraternity house - a Halloween decoration - led to similar accusations. About 50 students, staff and community members held a protest during the last home Beaver football game Nov. 10.

Ocean energy

THE STORY: OSU established itself as the top school in creating energy from ocean waves, with more than $1.5 million in funding for projects this year, the most of any university in the United States.

UPDATE: The university held a forum that attracted 200 scientists in August. Stormy weather hampered full tests of its latest buoy-generator in the fall. More tests are scheduled for spring off the coast of Newport. OSU also recently developed a linear test bed in Corvallis to simulate the heaving motion of the ocean. OSU also is leading a $3-million effort to establish an offshore test-berth.

MU ranked No. 1

THE STORY: The Memorial Union was voted the top student union in the nation by a company that surveyed students and staff at 115 schools.

UPDATE: A Memorial Union annex in the Oregon State University bookstore parking lot is being considered.

Kyle Odegard covers Oregon State University. He can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.