(Photos courtesy of OSU-Cascades)
#1
Economic impact topped $89 million
A new study revealed OSU‑Cascades contributed over $89 million to the local economy, supporting 701 jobs and generating $6.6 million in state and local tax revenue — highlighting the campus’s expanding community role.
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#2
Engineering a skateboard dream
Local fifth grader Robert Parsons has a rare condition limiting mobility. Engineering student Rebekah O’Neill and her senior capstone team designed and built a solution so Robert could experience the thrill of skateboarding with classmates.
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#3
Enrollment growth in high demand fields
Fall 2025 enrollment at OSU-Cascades hit 1,401 students and included a 3% growth in freshmen. Marked growth was seen in degree fields designed to help meet regional and state workforce needs: engineering, biochemistry and molecular biology, and environmental science.
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#4
SnoPlanks delivers ultimate learning experience
In SnoPlanks Academy, students run a real snowboard company — handling design, supply chains, finance, marketing and negotiations. It gives students the kinds of experiences that make a difference on their resumes, and to future employers.
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#5
OSU-Cascades awarded $2 million to monitor national park ecological data
OSU-Cascades’ HERS Lab received a $2 million grant from the National Park Service to monitor and analyze data, assess the ecological health and resilience of parks, and better understand management practices that can help parks adapt to ecological threats and conditions.
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#6
Local business leader gives to new accountancy program
A gift to OSU-Cascades established a fund to enhance classroom learning and hands-on experiences for students in the newly launched accountancy degree program. The $50,000 gift was made by Lance Brant, an alumnus of OSU’s College of Business, and founder and co-managing partner of Capstone Accounting and Tax in Bend.
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#7
National Phoenix Award for brownfield redevelopment
OSU‑Cascades received a 2025 Phoenix Award for its innovative remediation and redevelopment of a former landfill and pumice mine into a university campus and future innovation district. The award is given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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#8
FORCE Lab shapes a healthier community
The FORCE Lab at OSU-Cascades conducts applied research that directly impacts the local community, from athletes to aging seniors. By studying biomechanics, running, footwear and more, it’s helping prevent injuries and create healthier communities.
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#9
OSU-Cascades leads in preparing students for future careers
One of only eight universities from around the country, OSU‑Cascades joined the National Work-Integrated Learning Accelerator, piloting new career-integrated learning like micro-internships, aligning education with workforce needs.
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#10
Little Kits Early Learning Center opens
With support from community, city, county, state and federal partners, OSU-Cascades opened a new on-campus early learning center and is developing it as a both a center for children, and a place to develop the next generation of child care workers.
