Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

Page 20 text:

Story by Genevieve R Moore resident Risser became the thirteenth presi-Mjtex of Oregon State University alter John I V. Byrne retired on December 31.1995. President Paul Risser is the thirteenth president of Oregon State University. Before Oregon State. Pres. Risser was the president of M ami University in Ohio. Before Miami University. Pres. Risser held administrative positions at the University of New Mexico. 1986-1992. headed the Illinois Natural History Survey.1981 -1986 and served on the University of Oklahoma faculty from 1967- HlOC© ty OoJJ 1981. Currently Pres, and Mrs. Risser spend their days meeting with committees, the legislature, entertaining, attending university functions and tackling major university issues ‘Last year, for 18 months. I was on a task force for the Greek community. This year I am currently involved with a community health initiative where we are looking at the alcohol issue.’ explained Mrs. Risser. Pres. Risser has been spending much of his time lobbying for higher education dunng legislative sessions. 1 get realy tired of having to defend higher education in this state, but I feel that we have been very effective in doing so. repSed Pres. Risser. 1 have my hopes up that we're likely to get more money this year than we got last year, maybe by quite a lot.’ One of the most important issues for Oregon State during the past few years has been enrolment. Various billboard and advertising campaigns have been launched by the university to encourage students to stay in state and attend Oregon State University. In addition to advertising. OSU has implemented new satefite programs which alow students to become enroled at Oregon State while attendhg courses through sateite universities or through the internet. These campaigns and programs have helped to raise Oregon State’s student enrollment to the highest it has been in years. However, enrollment is just one of the many issues facing OSU. The new millennium is 16 00 QiudenL lije rapidly approaching and with it comes concern for the millennium bug known as ‘Y2K’. When asked how Y2K prepared the university is. President Risser replied. ’We think pretty well. We've had a person who has had the full-time responsibility of trouble shooting for the university. I won't say that we won't have any glitches, but I think it is fckefy that they wB be very minor. Part of that is because, unlike some situations where people just continue to buy software that isn't Y2K okay. I think that software is not much of an issue for us. Y2K problems may be things like elevators.’ With issues like funding the university, increasing enrollment and Y2K preparation, one would think that the Risser's would have a list of least favorite responsfcities. But when asked what their least favorite part of being the President and First Lady of Oregon State was, Pres, and Mrs. Risser agreed that it was making choices 'My only least favorite part is that sometimes we have to make choices between where to go. I find that really drfficult because we fike to do it al actualy and try to give equal attention to each part.’ said Mrs Risser.

Page 19 text:

honored (✓those who had lettered in basketball throughout history. Photo by Jay CusUil TC. Green, Brent T i Barry Gary Payton, all OSU alumni and professional NBA basketball player , returned to 05U In order to kick-off the basketball season at Midnight Madness. Photo by Jay Cudal 4 uture OSU student received a lift from A.C. Green white making a slam dunk. midnigkL rmrin u °° 15

Page 21 text:

 c Mrs. r Rte«er enjoy the scenery that their backyard provides. Photo by Nat ' GvJd J rs Kisser IT spends most of her at home time in their home office where they each have a personal desk. Photo by Kan! GouU ginee computer .;ime is at a premium. Pres. Mrs. Kisser compete to be the first one to use it. Photo ty Natalie GovLi pn h. £ nw. niM i00 17