SEPTEMBER 2007: AROUND THE STATE, HIGH FIVE
What
a Duck and Beaver like about each other
ARE YOU A DUCK OR BEAVER FAN? College pride runs deep and a
healthy rivalry in attracting both students and research money
helps boost both Oregon universities. But ever wonder what the
presidents of these venerable academic institutions really
think about the other’s school? Since any college
freshman can rail against their rival, we stuck it to the
presidents and asked Dave Frohnmayer, president of the
University of Oregon, and Ed Ray, president of Oregon State
University, their thoughts on the five best features of the
opposing school — a new twist on a century-old
rivalry.
What Dave likes about OSU:
-
Its president. Ed Ray is smart, experienced, unselfish and a
wise partner in the Oregon University System. He has a great
sense of humor, a fabulous instinct for the issues and can
still run a marathon.
-
OSU’s passionate devotion to serving the constituencies
for which it has been established. It takes seriously its
land-grant, space-grant and sea-grant designations and is
able to enlist a broad base of public support for its mission
of service.
-
The capacity of faculty to collaborate broadly and with high
intellectual power across academic disciplines and with
others — community colleges, the University of Oregon
and other institutions in the new and exciting ONAMI
initiatives. OSU shares a sense of needing to look beyond its
own borders for allies in confronting the serious issues of
the future.
-
The beauty of its campus that strikes all faculty, students
and visitors and seems to be just right for large flat-tailed
rodents to wander.
-
OSU’s sports, except for the days on which they are
competing against the University of Oregon Ducks.
What Ed likes about UO:
-
First on my list of what’s best about UO are the
people, starting with Dave and Lynn Frohnmayer. They are
warm, intelligent and caring and have helped make Beth and me
feel welcome in Oregon. But there are many, many others, from
Provost Linda Brady to chemistry professor Dave Johnson
— all of them wonderful.
-
UO models a spirit of friendship and collaboration in
advancing learning, scholarship and service in higher
education, both in Oregon and throughout the nation. Their
work with OSU and other colleagues on our nanoscience
collaboration (ONAMI), their participation on the Cascades
Campus and partnership with OHSU and OSU on medical education
are all great examples of that.
-
The campus — I have actually walked through it numerous
times (without the need for a disguise, I might add), and
it’s a beautiful place. Newer buildings like the Law
School and the College of Business make profound physical
statements about the world-class programs they contain.
-
Nationally and internationally celebrated programs in
cognitive sciences, law, business, special education,
chemistry and more are a rewarding reflection on UO.
-
Finally, while my favorite colors are orange and black, I
think emerald and gold is a snazzy combination. Much of the
school gear and the elegant “O” logo are very
attractive. My only criticism: Stop fussing with it so much.
Once you get something right, leave it
alone!
Have an opinion? E-mail feedback@oregonbusiness.com
