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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University is honoring nine alumni and friends this year, with awards presented at two events.

One was held in February in Rancho Mirage, Calif., and another is scheduled this month at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center, when the OSU Alumni Association holds its annual spring awards ceremony on April 27.

More information on the upcoming April 27 event, at which reservations are required, is available at www.osualum.com/events.

Award winners at the February event in Rancho Mirage, Calif., included:

• Ben Whiteley, class of 1951, the OSU Foundation Lifetime Trustee Award. Whiteley served two decades on the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees, as well as the Valley Library expansion committee and the College of Science board of visitors. He retired as CEO of Standard Insurance Company in Portland after 39 years with the company. Whiteley was named an OSU Alumni Fellow in 1991. He and his wife, Elaine Yunker Whiteley, class of 1953, live in Portland.

• Darry Callahan, class of 1964, the Alumni Association Dan Poling Service Award. Retiring as executive vice president after 40 years with Chevron-Texaco, Callahan has served 12 years on OSU engineering boards and four terms on the foundation board of trustees, including chairing the board during the launch of The Campaign for OSU. He chairs a group supporting OSU efforts to strengthen corporate relationships. Callahan lives in San Rafael, Calif., with his wife, Betty.

• Joan Austin, class of 2005 (honorary), and Ken Austin, class of 1954, OSU Athletics Martin Chaves Lifetime Achievement Award. Ken and Joan Austin are two of Oregon State's most generous supporters. Co-founders and owners of dental equipment manufacturer A-dec in Newberg, the Austins' greatest impact at OSU has been on the College of Business, where a new building will bear their name in recognition of a $10 million lead gift. They established the Austin Family Business Program in 1985 and in 2004 supported the renovation of Weatherford Hall and establishment of the Austin Entrepreneurship Program. They also have supported numerous athletic facility projects including Truax Indoor Center, Reser Stadium, Goss Stadium and Gill Coliseum. Ken received the E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000 and Joan received the alumni association's Honorary Alumni Award in 2005.

The alumni association will recognize these winners of association honors at its spring awards dinner in Corvallis on April 27.

• Duane McDougall, class of 1974, the E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award. McDougall, who retired as CEO of Willamette Industries and then chaired the board of Boise Cascade, has devoted much of his life to advancing OSU locally and throughout the nation. He is a member of the campaign steering committee, has served on the foundation board of trustees for 12 years and serves on committees for the colleges of forestry and engineering. McDougall and his wife, Barbara, live in Lake Oswego. They have established an OSU scholarship fund for students from their home area of Tigard and Tualatin.

• Jim Searcy, class of 1960, and Julie Davies Searcy, classes of 1963, 1974 and 1982, the Jean and C.H. "Scram" Graham Leadership Award. Jim and Julie Searcy of Corvallis exemplify the spirit of the Grahams through tireless promotion of OSU and support of the music department and the alumni association. Jim, a public accountant, advanced the alumni association with service on the board for six years to significantly update its financial systems and procedures. He and Julie, who has worked on campus and at Western Oregon University, have been generous hosts or lead volunteers of many association events, including the OSU Community Day of Service.

• Bob and Charlee Moore, Honorary Alumni Award. Co-founders of Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods in Milwaukie, Ore., Bob and Charlee Moore have become Beaver believers. Ardent promoters of good health, in 2010 they gave OSU $5 million to establish the Moore Family Center for Whole Grain Foods, Nutrition and Preventive Health, which includes a fellowship fund for graduate students and renovation of the food labs in Milam Hall. They are regular lecturers in the Austin Entrepreneurship Program and have worked closely with the OSU Student Dietetic Association. In celebration of Bob's 81st birthday in 2010, the Moores created an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, transitioning ownership of their company to its 200-plus employees.

Reservations are required to attend the awards celebration. See www.osualum.com/events for more information.