On top of the world
OIT’s Dr. Larry Powers is coordinator of research at the center. He is currently working with Oregon State University scientists who are studying moss there, but looks forward to working with scholars from around the world. I would love to put my microbiology background into practice with some Crater Lake research, too.
Larry has always taken students into the park for research opportunities. Now we have a formal agreement and the benefits will be many, including those for our Sponsored and Pre-College Programs.
OIT faculty members Claude Kansaku and Jim Long will place a GPS system on The Old Man in the Lake, a floating log that travels around Crater Lake. It will monitor location, temperature and wind speed.
You might not know that I’ve been the chair of Crater Lake Trust over the past 18 months. I’m privileged to serve the National Park and know that this new center will increase OIT’s connection to its own region and research scientist around the globe.
Below, I’m posting some pictures from Friday’s Grand Opening. There were so many friends of OIT there. I can’t name them all, but Congressman Greg Walden, Commissioner Al Switzer, businessman Bill Thorndike and JELD-WEN Foundation Executive Director Bob Kingzett stand out in my mind. Actually, everyone there is a true friend of the university, including retiring SOU President Elisabeth Zinser and the new president Mary Cullinan.
Talk to you next week.