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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Duane Nellis, president of the University of Idaho and an alumnus of Oregon State University, will give a free public lecture on the OSU campus on Friday, Nov. 4, as part of the university's Homecoming Weekend.

The presentation by Nellis, "Our American Partnership: The Impact of Land-Grant Universities in our 150th Year," begins at 4 p.m. in the Linus Pauling Science Center's Reser Auditorium.

Nellis is a strong advocate of land-grant universities. In 2012, America will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which provided for grants of land from states to create campuses for public institutions of higher education. OSU is the land-grant institution for the state of Oregon; the University of Idaho is that state's land-grant institution.

In his talk, Nellis will discuss signature achievements by America's land-grant institutions, and present his views on the next essential steps for strengthening their role and impact in helping the United States succeed in a global economy.

Before taking over as president at the University of Idaho, Nellis was provost at Kansas State University. He has a master's degree (1977) and a doctorate (1980) from OSU in geography.

Nellis is one of six Alumni Fellows being honored by the OSU Alumni Association during Homecoming Weekend.