The President’s Commission on the Status of Women recently held an awards ceremony called “Breaking Barriers: A Celebration of the Accomplishments and Impact of OSU Women.” A number of women were honored during the event.

The commission was formed in 1972 and its goal is to identify and address the changing needs of women in the university community. The organization advocates for a positive climate for all university women including students, staff, faculty and administrators.

The winner of the Breaking Barriers in Education Award is Lisbeth Goddik, professor and Dairy Processing Extension Specialist in the Department of Food Science & Technology. She was recognized in part for providing individual mentorship to female graduate students and younger faculty in the College of Agricultural Science.  This has included professional development, career strategy, and work-life balance.

The winner of the Breaking Barriers in Research Award is Yanyun Zhao, professor and Value-added Food Product Specialist in the department of Food Science & Technology. Zhao is an internationally prominent researcher and trailblazer in developing new knowledge and value-added applications for edible food coatings and films, and a pioneer in the capture and conversion of food processing bio-waste streams into value-added products for food and non-food applications.

The winner of the Breaking Barriers in Athletics Award is Marianne Vydra, deputy athletic director for Administration. Vydra has been heavily involved in the advancement of women’s athletics both on an institutional level and on the national level. She came to OSU in 1992 and has been a hallmark of stability for OSU Athletics, serving as transitional leadership through four changes in athletic directors including as Interim Athletic Director for two recent transitions.

The winner of the PCOSW Community Builder Award is Bouquet Harger, administrative manager in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Harger has been lead organizer for a number of community events including the Corvallis Changemakers conference and the Corvallis Women’s March.