Oregon Institute of Technology
The Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech[3]) is a public college in Oregon with a residential campus in Klamath Falls, Oregon, an urban campus in Wilsonville, Oregon, and additional locations in Salem and Seattle. Almost all students complete externships, co-ops, or other hands-on training inside and outside the classroom.[1]
Former names | Oregon Vocational School (1947–1948) Oregon Technical Institute (1948–1973) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Per cognitionem, lux (Latin) |
Motto in English | "Through knowledge, light" |
| Type | Public college |
| Established | July 14, 1947 |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
Academic affiliations | |
| Endowment | $23.5 million (2015) |
| President | Nagi Naganathan |
| Provost | Joanna Mott |
| Students | 5,490 (2017)[1] |
| Location | , , United States 42°15′22″N 121°47′06″W / 42.256°N 121.785°W |
| Campus | Remote town[2], 305 acres (1.23 km2) |
| Other campuses | |
| Newspaper | The Edge |
| Colors | Blue and gold |
| Nickname |
|
Sporting affiliations | NAIA – Cascade |
| Mascot | Hootie the Owl |
| Website | www.oit.edu |
History edit
Oregon Tech was founded as the Oregon Vocational School on July 15, 1947, to train and re-educate returning World War II veterans. Under the direction of Winston Purvine, the first classes were held in a deactivated Marine Corps hospital three miles northeast of Klamath Falls. The following year, the school's title was changed to the Oregon Technical Institute. In the first school year, 1947–1948, veterans constituted 98 percent of student enrollment. By 1950, the figure was 75 percent. In that year, in response to the Korean War, the school received a contract for training soldiers in welding and warehouse management.[4] In 1953, Associate degree programs in Surveying and Structural Engineering Technologies were first accredited by the Engineers Council for Professional Development.
In 1954, KTEC, the institution's first radio station went on air. By 1953, associate degree programs in the Surveying and Structural Engineering Technologies were first accredited by the Engineers Council for Professional Development. Not long after in 1956, KOTI television opened on campus. However, KOTI is no longer operated on campus. In 1962, the institute was accredited by the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools. In 1970, the first bachelor's degree programs were accredited by ABET. It would be 25 years later when the first master's degrees were offered. In 1975, the first Geo-Heat Center was established.
The campus was transferred to its current location in 1964, followed by another name change to the Oregon Institute of Technology in 1973. In 2012, the Oregon Institute of Technology officially rebranded to its current name "Oregon Tech". Oregon Tech's four locations in the Portland metropolitan area were consolidated into a single campus in Wilsonville in 2012 at InFocus' former headquarters.[5] By 2015, the Oregon Institute of Technology became an independent public body governed by Board of Trustees.
On April 26, 2021, the faculty went on strike after more than 500 days of initial contract negotiations between the faculty union and administrators. This was the first strike conducted by a public college or university faculty union in Oregon's history.[6]
Campuses edit
- Oregon Tech Klamath Falls, the University Residential Campus
- Oregon Tech Wilsonville, the University Urban Campus
Athletics edit
The Oregon Tech (OIT) athletic teams are called the Owls and Lady Owls (sometimes known as the "Hustlin' Owls"). The institute of technology is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) since the 1993–94 academic year.
Oregon Tech competes in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.
The mascot for Oregon Tech Athletics is Hootie the Owl and is a source of pride for many Tech students.
Rivalries edit
Oregon Tech's traditional athletic nemesis is Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. The close proximity of the schools and alternate academic foci (science and technology at Oregon Tech, liberal arts at SOU) result in a natural rivalry between the two.
Men's basketball edit
OIT has won multiple NAIA Men's Basketball Championships. Former men's basketball coach Danny Miles completed his 1,000th win February 1, 2014, in his 43rd year of coaching at OIT. This is the fourth most of any men's college basketball coach all-time (NCAA & NAIA).[7]
Softball edit
OIT's softball program won the NAIA Softball Championship in 2011.[8]
Mascot edit
OIT's mascot, Hootie the Hustlin' Owl, has been portrayed as a costumed character since 1980. Known originally as "OIT OWL", he first hatched out of a giant paper mache egg during halftime at a home football game. Hootie's other alias was "OWLY OOP" in the 1990s. The beloved owl mascot was created and originally performed by executive secretary Nancy Cox, inspired by the San Diego Chicken after attending a Padres game in 1979 and proceeding previous attempts at an official school mascot such as a rally head in the 1960s named "OTIS" and a live owl.
Notable stunts include skydiving, ziplining, half court basketball throws, and various feats of acrobatics and professional dancing abilities. Currently performed by actress Brooke Eldridge (2021- ), as featured on ABC Nightline News.
Accolades: • CCC Mascot of the Year 2014, 2018 • Mascot Training Camp Champion 2023 • Mascot Hall of Fame Awards Nominee 2023 (best video skit, most community impact)
Notable alumni edit
- Benny Agbayani, professional baseball player
- Joe Cain, professional football player
- Tim Freeman, Oregon House of Representatives
- Ty Knott, professional football coach
- Wayne Krieger, Oregon House of Representatives and Oregon State Police
- Nate Lewis, professional football player
- Doug Mikolas, professional football player
- Justin Parnell, college basketball coach
- Don Summers, professional football player
Photo gallery edit
- The old Oregon Tech campus
- Oregon Tech skyline
- Winter Jan. 2024
- Winter Jan. 2024
- Winter Jan. 2024
- The OIT hillside monogram
- Oregon Tech Wilsonville
- Oregon Tech SAE Formula car
References edit
- ^ a b "About Oregon Tech". Oregon Institute of Technology.
- ^ "IPEDS-Oregon Institute of Technology".
- ^ "Oregon Tech Engineering Climbs 25 spots in a year to No. 35 in Nation". Oregon Institute of Technology.
- ^ "Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech)". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Portland State University. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Rachel Stark (July 22, 2012). "Oregon Institute of Technology expands opportunities for students, nearby companies with new Wilsonville campus". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- ^ "Oregon Institute of Technology asks state agency to declare tentative faculty strike unlawful". Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). April 22, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Greg Bishop (February 22, 2012). "For 41 Years, Town Cheers Oregon Tech Coach Danny Miles". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ Daniel Boyette (May 26, 2011). "Oregon Tech captures NAIA softball national title in Gulf Shores". The Birmingham News. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
External links edit
- Official website
- OIT athletics website