Alumni Recognition
Every day our alumni are doing great things — both big and small.
Our alumni network is vibrant, global and full of trailblazing leaders. We are a community that thrives on innovation, adapts to the ever-changing business landscape and champions a sustainable and prosperous future. Above all, we support one another—Beavers helping Beavers. Know a College of Business alum whose achievements and service stand out? Celebrate their success by nominating them for an award.
Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame award honors College of Business alumni who embody hard work, persistence and ethical leadership. Established in 2001, it recognizes individuals with notable professional success and lasting impact through service and advocacy. Honorees champion the College and university, support student success and enhance the College’s national distinction through leadership and volunteerism.
Past award winners
- Jim Parkin ’86
- Gordon Clemons ‘65
- James Coleman '58
- Tom Toomey ’82
- Elise McClure ’81
- Jackie Swint ’51
- Jim Williams ’67
- Robert G. Zahary ’65
- Wayne Ericksen ’58
- Patricia Bedient ’75
- Larry L. Brown ’75
- Ruth Fisher ’54
- Donald L. Bower ’48
- Kenneth Poorman ’61
- Arthur Tokin ’71
- Stanley Hong ’59
- Duane McDougall ’74
- Al Reser ’60
- Jon Masterson ’61
- Harley Smith ’59
- R. Stevens Gilley ’56
- Kenneth Thrasher ’71
- Joan Austin
- Ken Austin ’54
- Bernie Newcomb ’65
- James Robb ’54
- Stephen Bailey '70
Innovative & Distinguished Business Professional
The Innovative & Distinguished Business Professional award, established in 2002, honors College of Business alumni with at least 20 years of experience who exemplify innovation, leadership and excellence. Honorees have made transformative contributions to their industries and communities and reflect the College’s forward-thinking spirit and high standards.
Past award winners
- Laura Naumes '81
- Zoe-Vonna Palmrose ’68
- Steven Daniels ’81
- Mark Reser ’88
- Ted Stalick ’87
- Jill Eiland ’73
- Gordon Clemons ’65
- Don Atkinson ’89
- Diane Detering-Paddison ’81
- Steven Gomo ’74
- Tod D. Perkins ’86
- John Stirek ’82
- Stephen M. Bailey ’70
- Tad Davies ’78
- Wesley R. Edens ’84
- Linda Hirneise ’75
- Gayle Fitzpatrick ’78
- Elise McClure ’81
- Jack Wilborn ’71, MBA '79
- Larry L. Brown ’75
- Pam Garcia ’81
- E. Scott Hildebrandt ’78
- Bruce C. Hraba ’67
- Allen P. Leggett ’60
- Joseph F. Lobbato ’81, MBA ’82
- Donald A. Robert ’82
- Patty Bedient ’75
- Dennis Powell ’70
- James Schupp ’79
- James Williams ’66
- Scott Parrish '81
- Angela Snow '81
- Scott Parrish ‘81
- Robert Zagunis ‘77
Distinguished Young Professional
The Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade award, established in 2018, recognizes College of Business alumni within 10 years of graduation who have made significant contributions through early career roles, leadership or volunteer service. Honorees demonstrate exceptional promise and impact and embody the values of the next generation of business leaders.
past award winners
- Christine Clair '10
- Nikki Neuburger ’04
- Kate Johnson ’98
- Terence Chesire ’98
- Tim S. Hildebrandt ’06
- Caitlan Bake '11
- Katie Haakenson '09
- Tim Jakubowski '04
- Alicia Miller '05
- Angelina Lusetti '07
- Rachel Todd '08
- Doug Deurwaarder '01
- Courtney Carter '04
- Joshua Bruegman '02
- Greg Laird '03
- Ryan Hildebrand '04
- Casey Anderson ‘14
Distinguished Early Career Business Professional
past award winners
- Curt Willener '04
- Peter W. Newport '98
- Meadow Clendenin Stahlnecker ’99
- Eric Winston ’98
- Ryan Smith ’95
- Brian J. Bronson ’93
- Steven Zamsky ’90
- Brian A. Oliver ’87
- Eric Schoenstein ’88
- Kim Brockamp ’91
- Laurie Russell ’94
- Scott Burri ’86
- Donald C. Atkinson ’89
- Brent Bullock ’83
- James D. Parkin ’86
- Ron Parker ’86
- Sally Smedal ’82
- James Winters ’86
- Craig Froude ’89
- Scott South ’83
- Beth Taylor ’81
Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade
The Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade award recognizes College of Business alumni with less than 10 years of professional experience who have shown significant contributions to their community, their profession or the college through early career roles, leadership and/or volunteer service. The Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade award was established in 2018.
past award winners
- Natalie Tonneson '13
- Willen Sin ’13
- Elana Anderson Stone ’09
- Michael Conan ’17
- Mallory Trost '14
- Jeff Lulay ‘16
- Kayla Arnot '17, '20
Weatherford Award
The Weatherford Awards honor visionary entrepreneurs and innovators who embody Oregon’s pioneering spirit. They recognize individuals who have reshaped the business landscape through bold entrepreneurship, innovation and a commitment to social progress, driving meaningful change in business and society.
past award winners
- Rob Pace '84 — Founder, HundredX
- Matt Watson '99 — Founder and Creative Director, Watson Creative
- Randy Conrads ’72 — Founder, Classmates.com
- Ken ’53 and Joan Austin — Founders, A-dec
- Jim Bernau — Founder, Willamette Valley Vineyards
- Chris Botti — Award-winning jazz trumpeter
- Carolyn Chambers — Philanthropist and Oregon pioneer of the telecommunications industry.
- Stanley Cheng ’71 — CEO, Meyer Corporation, U.S., and founder, Hestan Vineyards
- Frank Cloutier — Leader of the HP team that developed the InkJet Printer
- Dan Di Spaltro ’07 — co-founder of cloud-computing management startup, Cloudkick
- Alex Polvi ’07 — co-founder of cloud-computing management startup, Cloudkick
- Logan Welliver ’07 — co-founder of cloud-computing management startup, Cloudkick
- Kyle Doyel ’80 — Founder and president, Kyzen Corp.
- Frank Dulcich — Co-founder and CEO of Pacific Seafood, the largest vertically integrated seafood company in North America
- Douglas Engelbart, Ph.D. ’48 — Inventor of the computer mouse
- Dick Fosbury ’72 — Inventor of the Fosbury Flop high jumping technique
- John Gardner, Ph.D. — Founder and president, ViewPlus Technologies, Inc.
- Paul Gulick — Founder of Clarity Visual Systems; co-founder of InFocus Corporation, father of the digital projector
- Doc and Connie Hatfield — Founders, Country Natural Beef
- Kaichang Li, Ph.D. — Inventor of formaldehyde-free wood adhesives
- Bob Moore — Founder, Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods
- James Peterson, Ph.D. — World-leading wheat breeder
- Mike Rich ’81 — Screenwriter of feature films, including Finding Forrester and The Rookie
- Donald A. Robert ’82 — CEO of Experian
- Governor Barbara Roberts — First female elected governor of Oregon
- Cory Schrieber — Pioneer of the NW natural food movement
- Jack Smith — Inventor and co-founder of Hotmail, serial entrepreneur
- Rex Smith ’73 — Chairman and COO of the Hotmail venture
- Bert Sperling ’72 — Founder, Sperling’s Best Places
- Dr. Albert Starr — Co-inventor of the world’s first successful artificial heart valve
- Junki Yoshida — Yoshida Group Chairman and CEO, mastermind behind the famous Yoshida sauce
- Fred Ziari — Founder of ezWireless and IRZ Consulting, an innovative leader in water and energy conservation technologies
- Ryan Hildebrand ’04 — Co-founder, Seed.co
- Tim Hildebrandt ’05 — Controller, Seed.co
- Ryan Kirkpatrick '06
- Rob Pace ’84 – Founder, HundredX
- Jeremy Cox ’99 and Christopher Cox ’00 – Co-Founders, 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
Distinguished Business Partner
The Distinguished Partner award, established in 2003, honors companies or industry groups that have demonstrated exceptional collaboration with Oregon State University, advancing student development, workforce training and community impact. Honorees align with OSU’s mission by fostering innovative scholarly and community-based work environments that contribute to education, research and regional progress.
past award winners
- Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED)
- Oregon State Credit Union
- Portland Society for Information Management
- Adidas
- Oregon Department of Transportation
- Mutual of Enumclaw
- Fred Meyer
- The Boeing Company
- Ferguson Wellman Capital Management
- Ron J. Susa, ’80, Chevron Corporation
- George Graves, KPMG LLP
- Stephen J. Nigro, Hewlett Packard Co.
- Joe Karas, Moss Adams LLP
- James M. Baumgartner, Black Helterline LLP
- Craig Chambers, Oregon Financial Services
- Joyce Furman, Philanthropist and Community Leader
- Stockamp & Associates
- George Puentes, Puentes Bros. Inc./Don Pancho Mexican Foods
- Bob Sznewajs, West Coast Bank
- Sonja Lee Haugen, Austin Industries
- Patricia Hraba, Waterford Hotels and Inns
- Irva Kay Neyhart, Stover Neyhart & Co., PC
- Don Waggoner, Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
- Gallo
Alumni Fellows
Established by the Oregon State University Alumni Association in 1988 to recognize eminent alumni. Honorees have distinguished themselves in their professions and communities. The presentations and ceremony occur during homecoming and the OSU Alumni Association retains final approval of recipients.
past award winners
- Trey Winthrop ‘93
- James Coleman ’58
- Stanley Hong ’59
- Ben Whiteley ’51
- Bernard Newcomb ’65
- Duane McDougall ’74
- Mike Rich ’81
- Ken Thrasher ’71
- John Gray ’40
- Stephen M. Bailey ’70
- Gayle Fitzpatrick ’78
- Tom Toomey ’82
- Anita Winn ‘79
Distinguished Service Award
Distinguished Service Award recognizes and celebrates exceptional contributions, inspiring commitments to the community and the college, and serves to promote the importance of service and excellence in our society.
past award winners
- Art Stonehill
- Matt Spathas '80
- Frank Morse '70
- Brigadier General Al Guidotti '56
Innovative Business Leader
past award winners
- Tom Toomey ’82
- Roger W. Hinshaw
- Carl Casale '83
- Rob Pace '84
- Eric Meslow '91
- Abhi Talwalkar '85
- Ken Wightman '68
- Kathleen McNally '86
- Ruth Beyer '77
- Jim Wiggett '72
- Gustavo Montero '84
- Steve Oliva '63
- David Vernier '76
- Christine Vernier
- Scott Campbell '80