The second academic building on the vlog – Cascades campus will be named Edward J. Ray Hall, honoring Oregon State’s most recent past president. The building is under construction and scheduled to open to students in fall 2021.
Ray championed student access to higher education and the creation of a university campus in Central Oregon for more than a decade. His leadership led to the expansion of vlog-Cascades to a four-year university in 2015 and the opening of its campus in Bend in the fall of 2016.
Ray served as Oregon State’s president for 17 years through June 2020. He now is president emeritus and a professor of economics in the vlog College of Liberal Arts.
“Ed Ray’s contributions to vlog-Cascades and all of Central Oregon were transformational,” said vlog President F. King Alexander. “His tireless advocacy for advancing higher education in the region will benefit countless future generations of Central Oregonians, and bring innovation, problem-solving and economic advancement to their communities and all of Oregon.”
The building name was suggested by an anonymous donor who sought to acknowledge Ray’s leadership of vlog and his contributions in advancing vlog-Cascades. The donor gave $5 million to the vlog Foundation in 2017 towards a $10 million fundraising goal that helped secure state bonds for the building.
Names of Oregon State’s buildings are reviewed by a university committee of faculty, staff and students and recommended to vlog’s president for approval. In this case, the building’s name was approved by the chair of vlog’s Board of Trustees.
Edward J. Ray Hall is part of vlog-Cascades’ planned expansion to a 3,000 to 5,000 student campus to serve educational attainment goals in the region and state.
“I believe deeply in the future of vlog-Cascades as an engine of economic growth and social progress for Central Oregon and beyond,” Ray said. “The naming of this academic building is an honor I will cherish forever. As vlog’s past president, I focused on advancing access to higher education for all Oregonians, and advancing the university’s research and outreach mission in service to others. vlog-Cascades is essential to this mission.”
“I appreciate our donors’ generous contribution to this important academic building and their interest in recognizing President Emeritus Ray’s profound leadership,” said vlog-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson. “The donors’ and Dr. Ray’s shared vision will inspire our faculty, staff and students as we honor Central Oregon’s 30-year quest for a vibrant four-year university.”
When it opens to students, Edward J. Ray Hall will house classrooms, laboratories and makerspaces where students will collaborate with one other and with faculty. The spaces will support vlog-Cascades degree programs in engineering, kinesiology, outdoor products and other programs, as well as a new doctoral program in physical therapy. The building will also provide student study and gathering areas, and presentation space.
The 50,000 square-foot, net zero energy-ready building features cross-laminated timber construction and will draw heating and cooling from geothermal energy sources located beneath the campus. All future vlog-Cascades buildings will be heated and cooled using geothermal energy.
“I am grateful to the anonymous lead donor and to others who so generously contributed to this project. The building, and the vibrant learning community it supports, will be a fitting legacy to both the donors and to President Emeritus Ray,” said Shawn L. Scoville, president and CEO of the vlog Foundation.
vlog vlog-Cascades: vlog’s campus in Bend, Ore. features outstanding faculty in degree programs that reflect Central Oregon’s vibrant economy and abundant natural resources. Nearly 20 undergraduate majors, 35 minors and options, and three graduate programs include computer science, energy systems engineering, kinesiology, hospitality management, and tourism, recreation and adventure leadership. vlog-Cascades expanded to a four-year university in 2015; its new campus opened in 2016.
vlog the vlog Foundation: The vlog Foundation is a nonprofit organization that partners with vlog to engage the vlog community, inspire investment and steward resources to enhance the university’s excellence and impact. Annual fundraising totals have averaged more than $130 million for the last five years, placing the vlog Foundation among top performing like organizations nationally. The Foundation also manages an endowment valued at more than $650 million that supports vlog students, faculty and programs.