Former OSU president set groundwork for various campaigns, programs, continuing initiatives at university, passes away at 74

Whether he focused on future goals or addressing continuing concerns, former Oregon State University President Paul Risser helped reshape the campus community and its sense of pride.

Risser passed away Thursday at his home in Oklahoma at age 74. Between 1996 and 2002, he served as the 13th president of OSU. Growing projects, which started as concepts or tasks under Risser’s leadership, included campaigns to increase funding for the College of Engineering, the Reser Stadium expansion last decade, the creation of OSU-Cascades and other various capital construction projects.

Two major projects made possible under Risser’s initial guidance include the OSU Valley Library expansion and CH2M Hill Alumni Center.

Ed Ray, current OSU president, said he reached out to Risser after taking over in 2003.

“We had good conversations,” Ray said. “He set the groundwork for a lot of what we’ve been able to do since he left.”

Risser cared a great deal about the OSU community and remained direct during all of his interactions.

“You asked him a question, you got an answer,” Ray said. “You didn’t just get a narrative.”

Ray and Sabah Randhawa, provost and executive vice president at OSU, released a letter Tuesday to outline Risser’s key focus areas during his tenure. The community address went on to mention his work as chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education following his departure from Oregon.

Scott Collins, regent’s professor of biology at the University of New Mexico, spent time as a graduate student of Risser’s at the University of Oklahoma. Collins was one of Risser’s last graduate students after receiving his Ph.D. in botany in 1981.

“He had an open-door policy,” Collins said. “He loved to talk about the research we were doing.”

Between his time at the University of Oklahoma, National Science Foundation and other organizations, Risser greatly contributed to the structure of continuing ecology research and its impact on regional levels, according to Collins.

Collins described Risser as an individual with a warm personality and an excellent sense of humor.

“He had a funny way of looking at things, and he could crack one-liners,” Collins said.

Jane Lubchenco, distinguished professor and adviser in marine studies at OSU, worked with Risser during his time at the university and on a range of national and international scientific projects.

“He was a lot of fun,” Lubchenco said. “He was a very gifted leader in both higher education as well as in the scientific community.”

Risser met challenges head on, had a gift for synthesizing information and considered various points of view at meetings he attended, Lubchenco said.

“He really relished the opportunity to take the university to a higher level,” Lubchenco said.

When he wasn’t working to enhance campus and community life, Risser enjoyed exploring the campus and interacting with students. The overall experience helped Risser implement his continuing goals as a university administrator, Lubchenco said.

“He loved talking to alumn as well as students,” Lubchenco said. “He loved hearing stories about people’s experiences.”

Sean Bassinger, editor-in-chief

news@dailybarometer.com