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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University's work in promoting ethnic diversity has earned the campus honors from Portland's The Asian Reporter newspaper.

"The Asian Reporter Scholarship and Awards Selection Committee has selected Oregon State University for its outstanding achievement and unflagging dedication and determination in promoting ethnic diversity," said Jaime Lim, publisher of The Asian Reporter, in announcing the award.

The award was part of the newspaper's "Thanks for Giving," awards, which are being presented this year to agencies and people making significant efforts to give back to the community, said Phyllis Lee, OSU's director of multicultural affairs.

"OSU is an exemplary model institution of higher education in the state of Oregon for providing access to programs for ethnic and racial minority students," Lim said.

This was the first year of the awards, which were presented by U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Portland, and state Sen. John Lim, R-Gresham.

"Oregon State University is the only educational institution to receive an award," Lee said. "It was The Asian Reporter's way of expressing thanks for the giving over the year."

Lee said OSU has worked to promote campus diversity and the university will continue to keep moving forward.

Strides OSU has made to enhance campus climate include: creation of student-focused, professionally staffed minority education offices and cultural centers; involvement of community leaders in campus activities through the Multicultural Affairs Board of Visitors; creation of an ethnic studies department.

The university has also organized outreach events attracting hundreds of students of color and their families to Corvallis. For fall1999, freshmen admissions for students of color are up 33 percent (compared to 25 percent for students overall) and scholarships have been offered to 366 incoming students of color (compared to 88 for fall 1998).