Oregon State University is asking Oregonians to envision their highest aspirations for the future. The forward-looking initiative wants participants to share what they’d like Oregon to look like in 50 years, and is asking them to dream big.
“Vision Oregon,” a statewide ideation exercise, kicked off after President Edward J. Ray’s annual State of the University address on Feb. 7 at the Oregon Convention Center. More than 130 people shared their ideas that day by placing orange stick notes on a state map. Initial responses ranged from debt-free higher education to a world where women and minorities are truly valued as equals.
“As Oregon’s statewide university, we want to engage Oregonians from every corner of the state and every age to share their vision for Oregon in 50 years,” said Steve Clark, OSU vice president for University Relations and Marketing. “We want all Oregonians to help imagine what they want our state to be in the future.
“This initiative is inherently the Oregon way: imagine, innovate and engage the public in what we can make better. We invite everyone to share their goals for our state. Such as an end to hunger or homelessness. A cure for cancer and other life-threatening disease. Provide a high school and college education for every Oregonian. Help rural communities prosper economically. Reverse climate change and its negative impacts. Foster joy and more laughter each day. There is no wrong goal to imagine.”
The responses, which are being gathered now through Oct. 31, will be shared with government, civic, education and business leaders. In a very futuristic fashion, they will be placed in time capsules to be opened in 2068 at Oregon State campuses in Corvallis and Bend. Oregon State University will celebrate its bicentennial in 2068.
All Oregonians are invited to participate, and ideas can be submitted at https://oregonstate.edu/vision-oregon.
