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The San Andreas fault produced major earthquakes long before 1906. Here’s what we know about them (San Francisco Chronicle)
Based on their data, the average repeat time was around 210 to 220 years, said lead author Chris Goldfinger, a marine geologist at Oregon State University. However, the samples could not be precisely dated. (For a PDF of this article, email [email protected]) (See also KQED)
An Oregon sheep farmer’s lessons on life, death and lambs (KLCC)
Determined to prove her friends and neighbors wrong, Scottie enrolled in farming classes with the Oregon State University Extension Service, an educational outreach program with workshops focused on agriculture and community health.
Humanoid robot wins half-marathon and smashes humans’ record (New York Times)
While the robots were faster and more autonomous this year, Alan Fern, a robotics professor at Oregon State University, said the results said more about the state of robot hardware manufacturing in China than about any major scientific breakthrough. (For a PDF of this article, email [email protected])
New research shows warmer winters could impact water flow in western US (KGW)
Researchers from Oregon State University warn that warming winters and snow droughts could threaten water supplies and ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. (see also Oregonian)
Oregon open for business: Study shows more biz openings than closings (KLCC)
Oregon has obtained a reputation as being unfriendly to business. Some cite tough anti-growth regulations. Others cite a regressive tax situation. But whatever the cause, chambers of commerce and business organizations routinely rail against the Beaver State's anti-business climate. What if that reputation isn't supported by facts on the ground? Today on the show, you'll hear from an OSU doctor in economics who led a study showing that more businesses opened in Oregon in the past decade than closed, which runs counter to the state's reputation.
It’s a new era for athletics with improvements to Corvallis and Crescent Valley’s baseball and softball facilities (Gazette-Times)
Low-carbon concrete walkways from dugout to dugout and from the entrance to the bleachers were completed in partnership with Oregon State University’s College of Engineering as a demonstration project for sustainable concrete. It showcases efforts to reduce the material’s global warming potential without compromising durability.
Do screens, scheduled activities crowd out imaginative play? (K-12 Dive)
Concerns about screen time dampening imagination date to the early days of television, said Naomi Aguiar, associate director of the Ecampus Research Unit at Oregon State University.
Forest diversity can help thwart ‘decline spiral’ (Capital Press)
“We have a lot of challenges with changing climate and invasive species,” said John Riggins, a forest health extension specialist with Oregon State University. “It seems like we’re under more and more pressure.”
This simple spring lawn habit could save you time — and help your grass grow (MSN)
Grass clippings can contain up to 4 percent nitrogen, 0.5 percent phosphorus, and 3.5 percent potassium, according to Oregon State University's Extension Service. These are the same components used in lawn fertilizers. As the grass clippings decompose, they release nutrients much like a slow-release fertilizer.
Gray whale washes ashore near Yachats (OPB News)
According to Jim Rice, stranding program manager for the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, the adult female had been dead for a couple days before washing ashore. The body was bloated but intact.
It’s time to start planting flowers in Oregon. Here’s how to do it (Statesman Journal)
"It’s better to grow a small bed of flowers in well-prepared soil than to try to grow many flowers in a large, poorly prepared area," according to the Oregon 4-H Flower and Ornamental Grower’s Handbook via Oregon State University's gardening extension service.
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Photo of the Day
Sky High: Bhavya Singh, IT consultant and school network administrator, says, “I went on a snowboarding trip to Mt. Bachelor in February and took this picture from the cable car ropeway.” We are accepting photo submissions at [email protected]. To view past submissions, visit us on Instagram at @osutoday1.
Take Note
NEW! National Volunteer Week: It’s National Volunteer Week and we just want to say thank you. To every OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer who has answered questions, pulled weeds, staffed a table, shared advice, tended a garden, welcomed a new volunteer, or cheered someone on to feel more confident about growing something for the very first time (phew!)...thank you. Master Gardener volunteers are local community members trained by Oregon State University Extension, but that's just one part of it. What you really do is show up for your communities with generosity, knowledge and care. As we celebrate 50 years of the OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program, we’re feeling especially grateful for the people who have made this program what it is. Whether you’re a Master Gardener now, or have been in the past, your time and heart make a real difference. Thank you for helping our communities grow.
Timely Teaching Tips: Looking for resources about teaching and AI? See Faculty FAQs: AI in teaching and learning at OSU to find information about AI guidelines, OSU-approved AI tools, support for AI literacy, and upcoming AI-related events. In addition, the CTL blog has a curated set of AI-focused posts, including Demian Hommel’s new “Intentional AI Spotlight” series highlighting innovative teaching strategies.
Committee Interest Form due by 5 p.m. today: We invite you to volunteer for Faculty Senate and University committee service by completing the Committee Interest Form. Form responses will be provided to the various offices involved in making committee selections. You may preview the committees available to both classified employees and faculty (academic, research and professional faculty) prior to accessing the online form. Completed forms are due Monday by 5 p.m.
Mid-Month Emergency Preparedness Topic: Light in Disaster. Always have accessible light sources available in case of an emergency but make sure to never leave light sources running when you are asleep or not home. English and Spanish versions of this bulletin can be found here.
SOUNDBOX9 Intermedia Festival: “Stargazers: Space, Sound, & Image” is a two‑day hybrid intermedia festival that brings together invited and featured artists, OSU faculty, students, staff, and community members to explore creative practice at the intersection of sound, image, and space. This year’s festival highlights original works inspired — directly or indirectly — by Stargazers and space science. We welcome works that reach beyond the familiar, stretch imagination, or feel “out of this world,” whether through experimental processes, improvisation, iterative making, data translation or AI, and chance‑based explorations. Team‑based projects are welcome. Due April 19. Link to submit is in the bio of our Instagram account: @oregnstatecmi.
Submit photos for Healthy Aging Club contest: Students in the Healthy Aging Club are doing a photo contest at the OSU Gerontology Conference Thursday, April 23, with the theme of community service and civic engagement. They are asking for photos of older adults (ones you know or in your family) volunteering in the community. Photos will be voted on at the conference, and the top three will win prizes. Limit one photo per applicant; deadline Wednesday, April 22. Send photos to [email protected].
FSF TRY-athlon: Faculty and staff, are you ready to kick off summer with some friendly competition? The 13th Annual Faculty Staff Fitness TRY-athlon is back June 10, and it’s the perfect way to connect with colleagues, build team spirit and celebrate the start of summer no matter your fitness level. Call the PAC office at 541-737-3222 to register your team.
Beaver Research Hub is live: The Division of Research and Innovation is excited to launch the Beaver Research Hub, a comprehensive, integrated system to support the full lifecycle of research administration. Today’s launch includes modules for proposals, agreements and conflicts of interest. Additional modules will be phased in over the coming months. If you are a researcher at Oregon State, keep an eye on your inbox. On Tuesday, April 21, all researchers will receive an email to their OSU account with a request to update their Research COI Disclosure Profile. If you do not receive this email, please reach out to [email protected].
Protect your hearing: Are you exposed to loud noise at work? Find out more about OSU’s Hearing Conservation Program and Noise Control Plan. The goal of OSU’s Hearing Conservation Program is to monitor and protect employees who have the potential to develop noise-induced hearing loss — a preventable, permanent and progressive health issue. In collaboration with Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Health Services provides annual hearing tests for those exposed to loud noise on the job. Training is available through the EH&S website. Contact Occupational Health or Environmental Health and Safety with questions.
Nominations open for OSU Loyal Philanthropic Partner Award: This award recognizes an OSU employee (current or retired) or grad student who goes above and beyond their roles to foster a culture of philanthropy at Oregon State. Developed in collaboration with the OSU Loyal Committee and Office of the Provost, honorees are celebrated for exceptional collaboration, donor engagement, advocacy, and leadership. The awardee's OSU Foundation fund of choice will receive $5,000. Help lift up a colleague who embodies generosity in action. Nominations are due June 15.
EOA Virtual Office Hours (pilot program, Spring 2026): The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will offer drop-in virtual office hours once a week on Fridays from 1-2 p.m. this spring. This is a pilot program designed for the OSU community (students, staff and faculty) to ask questions and learn more about the resources EOA provides. Participants will join via Zoom and OSU authentication is required. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made a week in advance by reaching out to [email protected].
Timely Teaching Tips: This month, OSU is hosting its first-ever Teaching Excellence Week. The CTL's Quality Teaching Symposium features evidence-based practices that support inclusive learning, teaching as a discipline and mentorship of learners. The event takes place from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. April 28 in person at the MU, with virtual sessions from 1-3 p.m. The Ecampus Faculty Forum features engaging sessions and workshops about innovative online teaching methods, research in online education, successful student support initiatives and faculty experiences in online course development. It will be held April 29 (virtual) and April 30 (CH2M HILL Alumni Center). Register for both events today.
Fidelity on-campus consultations: Employees can meet with Justin Blatny, Jonathan Bobo and Karoll McMullen, financial consultants from Fidelity, to discuss your financial goals and savings plans for retirement. There is no cost for these consultations and they are available to all employees no matter what stage you are at in your career. Appointments are available on the OSU Corvallis campus April 14, 15, 28, 29 and 30. Schedule online or by phone at (800) 343-0860.
Marigold $50 membership intro offer: Membership includes unlimited access to our entire weekly drop-in class schedule and special classes like Yoga Nidra, Advanced Yoga Asana Workshop, MindLab + DanceLab, Contemplative Choir, Full Moon Gatherings and more. This is available once per person, per lifetime, no commitment required, and available to current members and class pass holders. Sign up here. Contact us with questions.
Registration now open for STEM Academy's 2026 summer camps: Camp topics include computer graphics, wildlife science, engineering, cybersecurity, Lego Robotics, veterinary medicine, microcontrollers, arcade games, AI, color innovation and more. Visit the STEM Academy website for more information and to register. Needs-based scholarships are available.