Finance and Administration

DFA colleagues,

I was excited to start this academic year as your new vice president for finance and administration and an Oregon State Beaver! I so appreciate the warm reception from the community as I continue to get to know people.  

I want to welcome employees who, like me, are new to the Division of Finance and Administration (DFA). We are a collection of strategists and operational leaders that enable the university's mission by connecting people to the resources, environments and systems they need to excel and succeed. We do that by being trusted, collaborative partners that help solve problems and deliver consistent programs and services to the university community. In my first weeks at OSU, I am working closely with division and university leaders to identify areas of close alignment between OSU’s Prosperity Widely Shared strategic plan and the work of DFA units so our teams can focus on delivering the things that are most important.  

Last week, I sent a message acknowledging Veterans Day and the contributions that veterans make across our division every day. I hope you will read the stories on the Veterans of DFA website, which highlight the backgrounds of colleagues who have served in the military and the ways their experiences shape their contributions to OSU today. Please join me in expressing gratitude for their dedication to our nation and our institution.  

I want to recognize the excellent work of DFA colleagues who were involved in OSU’s historic work with the Tribes of Oregon to facilitate the repatriation and return of tribal cultural items and Ancestors. The University Facilities, Infrastructure and Operations team was a crucial partner in building a new dedicated facility to house sensitive artifacts, including ancestral remains. Writing on LinkedIn, Chief Diversity Officer Scott Vignos said, “I'll count this collaboration as among the most meaningful in my career at Oregon State University. It is hard to overstate the gratitude I have for Tribal partners and OSU colleagues, including Dawn Marie A., Chance White Eyes, Luhui Whitebear, Dan Larson, Mike Green, Paul Odenthal, Libby Ramirez, Bruce Daley, Scott Bond and the many others who made this possible.” Allow me to add my thanks to this group for their steadfast leadership and collaborative approach to addressing this important issue in our community. 

As we move through fall term, I want to thank each of you for your hard work to advance the division’s strategic priorities through the initiatives we’re collectively working on. Go Beavs!  

Sincerely,