[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 120 (Tuesday, June 30, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H2979-H2980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DR. ED RAY

  (Mr. SCHRADER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Oregon State University president, Dr. Ed Ray, who officially retires 
today after 17 years of dedicated service to the school, the faculty, 
and, most importantly, the students.
  During his tenure at Oregon State University, President Ray set a 
course for the school that made huge impacts in teaching, research, 
outreach, and engagement.
  Under Ray's leadership, Oregon State University has undergone an 
incredible transformation, which has seen: student enrollment increase 
from 19,000 in 2004 to over 32,000 this year; completion of 96 major 
facility renovations and new buildings at OSU campuses, in excess of 
$1.1 billion; and a capital fundraising campaign that successfully 
raised nearly $1.15 billion.
  President Ray leaves Oregon State with a legacy and vision for the 
future that will continue in service to student success, faculty and 
research excellence, outreach, and a 21st century mission.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Beaver Nation, we say thank 
you to Ed.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Oregon State University 
President Dr. Ed Ray, who is officially stepping down today after 17 
years of dedicated service to the school, faculty, and most importantly 
the students.
  President Ray is a passionate advocate for higher education--it is 
his life's work in which he has dedicated the last 50 years as a 
teacher and administrator.
  Prior to his arrival at Oregon State University in 2003, Ray spent 
over 30 years at Ohio State University where he was a member of the 
economics faculty from 1970 to 2003, served as economics department 
chair from 1976 to 1992, served as associate provost then senior vice 
provost and chief information officer from 1992 to 1998, and finally 
executive vice president and provost from 1998 to 2003.
  Upon his arrival at OSU, President Ray set a course for the school to 
make substantial impacts in teaching, research, and outreach and 
engagement. Focusing on inclusive excellence through student access, 
learning, and success, as well as leading a campus community that is 
safe, inclusive, and diverse.
  Under President Ray's leadership, OSU has become an internationally 
recognized public research university, undergoing an incredible 
transformation which has seen:
  Student enrollment increase from 19,000 in 2004 to 32,744 students 
this year--making OSU the state's largest university for the sixth 
straight year. Of that number, 5,978 were first-generation students, 
8,327 were students of color and 3,492 were international students.
  The percentage of historically under-represented students at OSU has 
nearly doubled from 13.5 percent to 26.3 percent.

[[Page H2980]]

  The school has completed over 96 major facility renovations and new 
buildings at OSU campuses in excess of$1.1 billion
  A capital fundraising campaign that successfully raised nearly $1.15 
billion for OSU's foundation.
  The development of the Student Success Initiative, a comprehensive, 
university-wide effort led by Ray which has raised $150 million for 
scholarships, fellowships, and student experience funds.
  In 2016, the development of OSU Cascades to enhance access to an OSU 
four-year degree for the underserved central Oregon region. This is the 
first new university expansion to be built in Oregon in 50 years.
  The development of OSU E-campus into a consistent national top-ranked 
institution for distance learning. This year, U.S. News & World Report 
ranked OSU's online undergraduate program number five in the nation--
the school's sixth straight year ranked in the top-10 nationally. A 
reflection of OSU's commitment to providing students with high quality 
options for attaining an OSU degree that meets their needs.
  The expansion of the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport that, 
starting this fall, will provide a coastal campus location for 
undergraduates, expand student access to marine studies, enhance the 
marine laboratory, and provide a safe haven for community members in 
case of a tsunami.
  The expansion of OSU's dual-enrollment program to all 17 of Oregon's 
community colleges, making it easier for students to access and 
complete four-year degrees.
  OSU's research enterprise continues to grow in scope and impact. 
Awards to OSU faculty in 2019 totaled $439.7 million--OSU's second 
largest award year ever.
  In addition to his work at OSU, President Ray has consistently served 
on executive boards of national associations including: the NCAA, 
American Council on Education, the Association of American Colleges and 
Universities, and the Association of Public and Land-grant 
Universities.
  His leadership in higher education has been recognized with the CASE 
District VIII Leadership Award (2013), an honorary doctorate from the 
University of Portland (2014), and the Oregon History Makers Medal 
(2018) presented by the Oregon Historical Society. President Ray has 
also been active locally in Oregon communities and currently serves as 
board chair of Special Olympics Oregon.
  President Ray's final State of the University address in February he 
said, ``I guarantee the best is yet to come for OSU''. I couldn't agree 
more and that is in no small part due to his exceptional leadership and 
dedication for the last 17 years. President Ray leaves OSU with a 
legacy and vision for a future that will continue in service to student 
success, faculty and research excellence, outreach, and OSU's mission 
as a 21st'' century land grant university.
  Ed, on behalf of a grateful Beaver Nation we say, `thank you'.

                          ____________________