Congratulations, Dr. Ed Ray!

After leading Oregon State University as President for 17 years, Dr. Ed Ray retired at the end of June. Under his leadership, Oregon State became an internationally recognized public research university and continued to expand the excellence, scope, and impact of its academic, research, and outreach services. Enrollment has grown to more than 30,000 students, making OSU the state’s largest university. The university’s first capital campaign helped to build or renovate 28 OSU buildings and created more than 600 new scholarship and fellowship funds for 3,200 students.

Ed agreed to accept the position as Board Chair of Special Olympics Oregon in the Fall of 2018 and has been a champion for the athletes; attended town halls, sporting events, meetings with the Athlete Input Council, gatherings with donors; and he was a critical force in restoring trust and credibility for the organization after it fell on hard times. Ed holds everyone around him to the highest standards, something the Oregon State University community knows well. On behalf of the athletes, staff, and board of Special Olympics Oregon – congratulations, Ed. We look forward to seeing what adventures await you and can’t wait to fill up your retirement with Special Olympics activities!