OSU Portland Center
January 2023


Happy New Year from the OSU Portland Center!


2022 ushered the return of Portland’s beloved holiday tree and the cherished seasonal traditions that have delighted generations of locals and visitors at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The expansive windows at the OSU Portland Center offered staff and guests daily views of the spirited dancers, carolers, musicians and onlookers who gathered — rain or shine — on the brick reflections of familiar twinkling lights for the first time in three years.

All of us here at the OSU Portland Center hope you, too, found special moments that enriched your holiday season, and we extend to you and your loved ones best wishes for a joyful and prosperous new year!


    

Notes from the Portland Center team

Our first newsletter spotlighted the OSU Portland Center as a premier event, meeting and conference venue, as well as a convenient resource center for students, staff and faculty in the Portland area. Ongoing newsletters will include quick reference links that inform our most common requests for information. You can also look to this publication for updates on the broad-ranging and impactful work taking shape in downtown Portland on behalf of OSU.
 

Quick Reference Links

Center Spaces and Event Services
Request a Reservation
OSU Vouchers
Event Parking Validation
Newsletter Archive
Center Resources

Latest Happenings


3rd Annual Ice Cream Tech Conference
Nov. 9-10, 2022
Presented by the OSU Food Innovation Center

This two-day gathering of ice cream technology experts kicked off with featured speaker Douglas Goff of the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and highlighted recent innovations among industry leaders in food science, food safety and agriculture sectors.

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OSU Foundation Sponsorship of Tuba Christmas at Pioneer Square
Dec. 10, 2022

The chill lingering in downtown Portland on Saturday, Dec. 10th was hardly felt by the nearly 4,000 people filling Pioneer Square, bringing a warm energy with them as they eagerly awaited holiday music to fill the air.

Folks of all ages ventured to the square across from the OSU Portland Center to hear Tuba Christmas, a free annual concert of nearly 300 tuba, euphonium and baritone horn musicians belting out holiday classics.

The Oregon State University Foundation was pleased to sponsor the beloved tradition this year. The Foundation’s sponsorship covered the registration fees of every musician, allowing them to participate in Tuba Christmas for free.

For decades, Oregon State University music faculty and marching band members have lent their talent to the concert, playing a pivotal role in the event’s recognition and success. During the concert, members of the marching band promoted the university and ways for alumni to stay connected to their alma mater.

“This event is particularly joyous for us because Portland is home to the largest community of OSU alumni — more than 57,000 — as well as many of our donors, industry partners, parents and friends. Plus, it’s just in our DNA at OSU to partner with organizations in support of our community,” said Shawn L. Scoville, president and CEO of the Oregon State University Foundation.

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The Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy
End of Year Sprint
In Oregon and nationwide, the outdoor industry’s importance to people, companies, organizations and economies is accelerating. Yet the industry is not poised to achieve its potential and faces significant workforce challenges. CORE was founded in 2021 to leverage Oregon State’s position as an R1 research university with deep ties to policymakers and industry leaders to bring practical, inclusive and sustainable workforce development solutions to the national outdoor recreation economy.

As 2022 came to a close, the CORE team held their End of Year Sprint at the OSU Portland Center. Team members from the Portland area, Vashon Island in the Puget Sound, Corvallis and Bend gathered for a two-day extensive organizational evaluation. Fueled by dark roast and empowered to connect the outdoor recreation economy to its potential, the CORE team conducted a thorough program portfolio review, team communication exercises and even developed upon their brand management strategy.

Additionally, the CORE team forecasted their strategic and operational initiatives for 2023, building for tomorrow to meet the unique needs of the vast, extremely entrepreneurial and rapidly growing outdoor recreation industry. CORE’s comprehensive self-assessment and collaborative reflection demonstrates their dedication to developing a more sustainable and equitable future of the outdoor recreation economy.

If you’d like to learn more or are interested in partnering with CORE, please contact Antony Vorobyov at [email protected].

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Access OSU Winter Coat Drive

As part of our mission to strengthen relationships with Portland Metro communities, Access OSU and the Division of Extension and Engagement, the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Institutional Diversity are collaborating with the OSU Foundation and Alumni Association and the Portland Center to support the Youth Organized & United to Help Coat and Sock Drive. YOUTH is a grassroots organization that helps to empower area youth, families and educators through tutoring, advocacy, literacy programs, trainings and DEI education. The volunteers at YOUTH extend support to the Portland community during the cold winter months by collecting and distributing coats and socks.

Access OSU invites you to join in the spirit of charitable giving by bringing donations of coats and socks of all sizes to the OSU Portland Center. Donation receptacles are located in the front lobby near the elevators. Donations will be accepted throughout the month of Jan. and our contributions will be dropped off at YOUTH’s offices weekly.

For more information, please reach out to Temmecha Turner, director of community diversity relations, at [email protected] or at 503-273-4309.

 

Upcoming Events

OSU Annual Food Drive
Feb. 2023

The OSU Portland team is excited to join forces with the OSU Foundation’s Portland team in support of the OSU 2023 Food Drive, a university-wide initiative taking place throughout the month of Feb.

This annual giving event is hosted in conjunction with the Governor's State Employees Food Drive and combines the efforts of OSU campuses and county extension offices throughout the state.

All food collected at the Portland Center will be donated to the Portland Food Bank. Monetary donations will benefit nonprofit agencies served by Linn-Benton Food Share. Nonperishable food items will be collected in bins placed in front of both Portland Center staff suites, or a food drop-off at the Portland Center can be scheduled by contacting Tracie Moran. To learn more about monetary donations or establishing ongoing monthly contributions during this annual fund-raising event, reach out to Jenna Moller.

Portland in January 

Now through Jan. 5
ZooLights 
Oregon Zoo
$21 – $29 

It wouldn’t be the holidays in Portland without a visit to ZooLights. Walk through a dazzling display of 1.5 million lights, or bring family and friends to explore the lights by car on select nights. 

Jan. 8
O-Shogatsu Japanese New Year
Portland Japanese Gardens
Price included with garden admission

During O-Shogatsu, people celebrate the start of a new year and hope for happiness and prosperity in the months ahead. This day of celebration will feature an exciting shishi-mai — or lion dance — tea ceremony presentations and koto music.

Jan. 13-15
Portland Folk Festival
McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom
$35 per ticket, $90 for a 3-day pass

An annual celebration of folk, Americana and roots music in Portland, Oregon, hosted by McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom.

Jan. 18-22
Shen Yun Performing Arts
Keller Auditorium
$80 and up

A unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops and an orchestra like no other. Be prepared for a theatrical experience that will take your breath away!

Jan. 21 
Harlem Globetrotters
Moda Center
$23 and up

Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing their amazing basketball skill and outrageous athleticism to Portland for a nonstop LOL good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals, who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team.

Jan. 21-23
Portland’s Barrel Aged Beer Fest
Pine Street Market
$30

This event will grant you ten taster tickets to sample all of the barrel-aged beers your heart desires, with a selection from a variety of breweries on tap.

Jan. 21-Feb. 5
Lunar New Year
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Price included with garden admission

The Lunar New Year celebration of the Year of the Rabbit begins on Jan. 21, 2023, and ends Feb. 5, 2023. The festival features cultural performances, festival decorations, craft activities, audio tours, Year of the Rabbit Scavenger Hunts and much more.