We live, work and learn on ancestral land. Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon is located within the traditional homelands of the Marys River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855, Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians. Indigenous people are valued, contributing members of the OSU community and represent multiple sovereign tribes among students, faculty, staff and alumni. By now, you have probably heard about Oregon State University’s vision of Prosperity Widely Shared — its commitment to creating economic, social and environmental well-being for all — expressed through its strategic plan. But what does prosperity widely shared mean in the College of Science? It means that in every aspect of our mission we aim to improve people’s lives in the state of Oregon and the world beyond. That is what stood out to me about OSU three years ago when I first visited Corvallis, and what I have continued to love, build and celebrate in my three years as Dean of the College of Science. In this issue you will read about some of the things I am most proud of in our College — in the education we provide, the discoveries we make, and the partnerships and engagement that extend our impact beyond campus. The College of Science has over 4,000 students, including over 3,500 undergraduate majors in the physical, quantitative and life sciences. Stories in this issue feature some of the unique experiences of these students, including undergraduate research projects in cutting-edge labs and course-based research experiences in which a whole class takes on a real research project. The College also provides the core math and science education for every student at OSU. Whether students go on to become engineers, teachers, veterinarians, business leaders or scientists, many of their foundational courses begin here, and those courses incorporate experiential learning at every level. This issue includes a feature on the Learning Assistants program, which brings undergraduate peer mentors into classrooms to engage students in active learning instead of listening to lectures. Our innovative approaches to undergraduate education are driven by a cadre of faculty whose research is devoted to pedagogy — to understanding how students learn best. Their research is transforming how science is taught, improving student success and influencing classrooms well beyond Oregon State. You’ll read stories in this issue about math, physics and anatomy faculty who are developing innovative classroom approaches and implementing them in our classrooms, often with national funding. And don’t miss the stories on other research and engagement that have regional and international impact, from science that supports new methods for manufacturing chips and electronics to biomedical applications of nanoparticles. I hope you’ll enjoy these stories as much as I enjoy watching them evolve. They leave me optimistic about the future of our College and about the many ways our students, faculty and alumni improve lives through science. Eleanor Feingold IMPACT FALL 2026 1
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