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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Bruce Mate, the director of Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute, and his wife Mary Lou have named the institute as a major beneficiary of their estate, a gift that builds on Mate's 40-year career in scientific research and education.

A world-renowned expert in marine mammal research, Mate is best known for pioneering the use of satellite-monitored radio tags to track threatened and endangered whales, allowing discoveries about whale migration routes, habitats and behaviors.

The couple's bequest, a commitment valued at $800,000, will add to the Mary Lou and Bruce R. Mate Marine Mammal Institute Fellowship, an endowment to support graduate students at the institute.

"OSU attracts extremely well-qualified graduate school candidates," Mate said. "The frustration is that we can't afford to accept nearly as many as we'd like to because of the expense taken on by the faculty member. Graduate students are funded through fellowships like this for their monthly stipend, while their research is usually funded from grants.

"The research needed to get an advanced degree in science today can be incredibly expensive. But I've worked long enough now to see multiple generations of my students go on to do wonderful things, including creation of terrific opportunities for others. A great education makes a huge difference for students."

From his laboratory at OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Mate has tracked by satellite the movements of humpback, blue, gray, pilot, right, fin, bowhead and sperm whales, as well as manatees and dolphins. A professor of fisheries and wildlife and holder of the endowed Marine Mammal Research Professorship, Mate has been featured on the Discovery Channel, PBS, BBC, National Geographic and other science programs.

"Over his career, Bruce took what was essentially a one-man operation and transformed it into a highly respected, globally recognized institute - now the second largest in the world for the study of marine mammals," said Dan Arp, the Reub A. Long Professor and dean of OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences, which is the academic home of the Marine Mammal Institute.

"Oregon State's expertise in marine studies is much broader, but the Marine Mammal Institute has really led the way in engaging the public in caring for the health of oceans and our environment," Arp said. "Bruce's 'Whale Watching Spoken Here' volunteer program is just one example."

A registered nurse, Mary Lou Mate has long been supportive of her husband and his research, often taking leaves of absence from nursing to work with him. After retirement, she became a part-time research assistant so they could be together during their extensive field seasons. She has co-hosted annual expeditions for donors to San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, California, to visit gray whales for almost 30 years.

In addition to their bequest, the Mates are among a growing group of faculty at Hatfield Marine Science Center who have made $25,000 commitments to help build a new marine studies facility for undergraduates at the complex. Some $2.5 million remains to be raised for the $50 million building.

"It is inspiring when the people closest to the university - our faculty and staff - personally invest in our mission. I'm deeply grateful to Bruce and Mary Lou," said OSU president Edward J. Ray. "While Oregon State is blessed with many faculty who give generously in their lifetime, this is an extraordinary example of legacy giving."