Affiliation: Staff
Kevin Ahern Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna.
June 29, 2015
Kevin Ahern (b. 1954) is an OSU Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics who is well-known
for his innovative approach to undergraduate instruction. For many years a Senior
Instructor, Ahern pioneered the use of unorthodox techniques - including limericks
and songs, which he calls "Metabolic Melodies" - to help students understand and retain
complex biochemical processes. Ahern was also on the forefront of the use of the internet
to enable scientific education, and has been posting notes and lecture recordings
online since 1995. The Director of Undergraduate Research at OSU, Ahern has also
co-authored multiple textbooks. Included among these are a collection that he wrote
with his wife, OSU Senior Instructor Indira Rajagopal, and made freely available online.
His interview focuses on his personal scientific evolution, his passion for teaching
and advising, and the innovations that he has applied to undergraduate instruction
at Oregon State.
Baseball National Champions, Back-to-Back
Four interviews conducted by Greg Garcia, Chris Petersen, and Mike Dicianna.
October 2015 - July 2016
From 2005 to 2007, the Oregon State University baseball program enjoyed a sustained
run of success that is without parallel in university history. Over the course of
three seasons, the Beavers participated in the College World Series three times, winning
back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. In the process, OSU also achieved
multiple milestones that are unequalled in the history of college baseball: in 2006,
the Beavers won six consecutive elimination games to claim the national championship,
and in 2007 they won four tournament games by six runs or more. This unprecedented
era of championship baseball is the primary subject of a collection of interviews
conducted with four individuals: players Kevin Gunderson and Chris Kunda; broadcaster
Mike Parker; and manager Pat Casey.
Yvenson Bernard Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
September 12, 2014
Yvenson Bernard (b. 1984) attended OSU from 2003-2007, majoring in Merchandising Management
and starting for three years at running back for the football team. Known for his
versatility and toughness as a football player, Bernard finished his career second
on the school's list for career yards rushing and third in career touchdowns. The
son of Haitian immigrants, Bernard also made news in 2010 by organizing a major relief
effort in response to the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12th of that
year. His interview focuses on his upbringing in Florida, his experiences as a student
athlete at OSU, his outreach work in Haiti, and the importance that family has played
throughout his life.
Steve Fenk Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
August 12, 2014
Steve Fenk (b. 1963) is an OSU Liberal Studies graduate from the class of 1987. Fenk
was heavily involved with the OSU Athletic Department as an undergraduate, a time
period during which he served as a color commentator working alongside radio "Voice
of the Beavers" Darrell Aune during Beaver basketball games. As a student, Fenk also
helped to organize a number of Oregon State wrestling meets. In 1990 Fenk accepted
a position with his alma mater as Assistant Sports Information Director. Since 2011
he has served as Associate Director of Athletic Communications. His interview focuses
on his Oregon State undergraduate experience as well as his memories of key people
and events in the modern history of OSU athletics.
Justin Fleming Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna.
December 15, 2015
Justin Fleming (b. 1980) is a 2007 graduate of OSU, majoring in Business and minoring
in Environmental Economics. While a student, Fleming was central to a number of activities
related to environmental sustainability on campus, including the creation of the Student
Sustainability Initiative in 2006. Following graduation, Fleming worked for OSU as
a Business Analyst before being hired as Manager of the Motor Pool in 2008. Since
then, Fleming has overseen the absorption of the University of Oregon Motor Pool into
a larger University Motor Pool that is managed at OSU. He was also responsible for
the first purchase of electric cars for inclusion in the Motor Pool fleet. His interview
touches upon his involvement in multiple sustainability initiatives as well as the
history, activities, work culture, and future of the University Motor Pool.
Michael Henthorne Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna.
August 29, 2014
Michael Henthorne (b. 1952) worked as an administrator at OSU's Memorial Union from
1987 to his retirement in 2016, serving as Executive Director of the MU beginning
in 1994. During his time at Oregon State, Henthorne guided significant physical renovations
to the MU building, while also bolstering MU programming and serving as a vital advocate
for the Student Experience Center, a sister facility which was completed in Spring
2015. His interview focuses on the state of the Memorial Union upon his arrival,
work that was done to improve the MU's physical space and programming outreach, the
genesis of the SEC building, and the exciting future that Henthorne envisions for
MU operations going forward.
Gloria O'Brien Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
October 13, 2016
Gloria O'Brien (b. 1960) is a Biological Science Technician in OSU's Department of
Greenhouse Operations who has worked at Oregon State since 2008, specializing in integrated
pest management. O'Brien is also actively involved with sub-local 083 of the statewide
Service Employees International Union, serving for many years as a union steward and
also completing a four-year term as president of the sub-local from 2010-2014. In
2015, O'Brien also became an OSU alumna, after earning a degree in Horticulture that
she began pursuing, on a part-time basis, some seventeen years before. Her interview
provides insight into union activities on campus, the issues facing classified workers
across Oregon, and the roles filled by the Department of Greenhouse Services at Oregon
State University.
Doug Oxsen Oral History Interviews
Two life history interviews conducted by Mike Dicianna.
July - December 2015
Doug Oxsen (b. 1952) played for Ralph Miller's OSU basketball squads in the early
1970s, graduating in 1975 with a degree in Business. After a period where he continued
to play on a semi-professional basis, Oxsen settled into a private sector career in
the health industry. In 2002, Oxsen returned to his alma mater when he accepted a
position as Director of Development in Athletics with the OSU Foundation. In this
capacity, he has played a lead role in raising funds to support the expansion and
renovation of Reser Stadium, the construction of the Basketball Practice Facility,
and the building of the Whyte Track and Field Complex, among other initiatives. Over
two interviews, Oxsen shares his memories of playing basketball for Ralph Miller,
defeating mighty UCLA, and helping to modernize OSU's athletics facilities as a fundraiser
with the OSU Foundation.
Kevin Stoller Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Mike Dicianna.
September 28, 2015
Kevin Stoller (b. 1976) earned two degrees from OSU, completing a double-major bachelor's
degree in Mathematics and History in 1999, and a master's degree in the History of
Science in 2002. Formerly the forum page editor for The Daily Barometer, Stoller was also a member of the first cohort of the University Honors College (UHC),
which began enrolling students in 1995, Stoller's sophomore year. After a period
of study at Harvard University, Stoller returned to Corvallis in 2009 where he is
now Director of External Relations and Operations for the UHC. His interview focuses
on OSU's campus culture during the mid- and late-1990s; the early years of the UHC;
and the many ways in which the college and university have changed in recent decades.
Marianne Vydra Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Janice Dilg.
May 27, 2015
Marianne Vydra (b. 1963) is the highest-ranking female administrator in the OSU Athletic
Department. A member of the Athletic Department staff since 1992, Vydra initially
came to Corvallis to work as an academic counselor. In 1996 she was promoted to Associate
Athletic Director for Academic and Student Services, and in 1998 she became the Athletic
Department's Senior Women's Administrator. In this capacity, Vydra has been central
to a number of initiatives, playing a key role in the forward advancement of women's
sports at the university and helping to found the popular Beavers Without Borders
international service program. In her interview, Vydra discusses her path through
athletics administration, the great strides made by the Athletic Department during
her years at OSU, and the legacy of Title IX in propelling women's intercollegiate
athletics programs across the country.