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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University has been awarded its second Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a designation that acknowledges the strength of OSU’s commitment to community engagement and engaged scholarship among Oregonians statewide. 

The re-classification vaults Oregon State into a select group of only 28 universities in the United States and its territories to earn the community engagement classification in 2020 and also hold a “very high research activity” classification, both from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The 2020 list of community-engaged institutions was announced today. In OSU’s case, the award continues a designation that the university first received in 2010.

“This honor speaks to OSU’s demonstrated commitment to serve and collaborate with our broader local, regional, national and global communities,” OSU President Ed Ray said. “This classification recognizes the impact of our community engagement that crosses all aspects of the university’s three missions: research and scholarship, teaching and learning, and outreach. It also demonstrates the strength of our partnerships with many community stakeholders throughout Oregon and beyond.”

In awarding the re-classification, the Carnegie foundation said OSU displays an “excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement.”

Oregon State has long been recognized for exceptional community outreach throughout Oregon with programs such as the Agricultural Experiment Station, Extension Service and Forest Research Laboratory, as well as Oregon State’s highly-ranked Ecampus and myriad programs that serve K-12 students, notably its 4-H youth development program, Extension Service Outdoor School and Open Campus.

“Community engagement is core to OSU’s mission as a land grant university,” said Anita Azarenko, interim vice provost for outreach and engagement and director of the Extension Service. “Through our research and scholarship, we engage in communities throughout Oregon in teaching, identifying and serving local needs and pursuing opportunities, attending to dilemmas and solving problems. This collaborative work serves to improve the health and well-being of all Oregonians.”

Including this year’s class of 119 institutions, a total of 359 institutions nationwide now hold the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. OSU is one of three institutions in Oregon to hold the classification, joining Portland State University and Concordia University.