Steve Amen, executive producer and host of Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Oregon Field Guide, will provide the commencement address at the Oregon State University - Cascades commencement ceremonies on Sunday, June 12.
“Steve is a champion for Oregon’s natural wonders,” said OSU-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson. “For more than three decades he has made it a priority to educate Oregonians about the natural resources around them, including many of the incredible resources here in Central Oregon.”
Steve Amen has been with OPB for more than 30 years and produced over 300 hours of prime time programming. Amen helped create the popular Oregon Field Guide television series, now entering its 28th season. Oregon Field Guide remains one of the highest rated local programs in the Public Broadcasting Service’s nationwide system.
Central Oregon natural subjects that have been covered by Oregon Field Guide include the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and ice caves, the John Day fossil beds, the white-headed woodpecker, salmon in Hosmer Lake, and the western toad in Sunriver.
Amen also created and produces “Oregon Lens” a summer series now in its 18th season that showcases work of northwest independent film makers. He has also led numerous documentary projects including HBO’s "Teen Killers: A Second Chance."
He has received one national and 11 regional Emmys, as well as awards from the Council on International Non-theatrical Events, The New York Film Festival and The American Film/Video Festival. In 2014 he was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle, a society honoring media professionals who have made significant contributions to both the television industry and their communities.
Prior to joining OPB, Amen spent seven years in commercial news as a producer, executive producer and news director. Amen has also served as an adjunct instructor for Portland State University, teaching documentary film production.
Since 1968, Amen and his family have spent vacations in Central Oregon.
The commencement ceremony will take place at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District at 12:00 p.m. For additional information visit http://www.osucascades.edu/commencement.
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s campus in Bend, Ore. features outstanding faculty in degree programs that reflect Central Oregon’s vibrant economy and abundant natural resources. Nearly 20 undergraduate majors, 30 minors and options, and four graduate programs include computer science, energy systems engineering, kinesiology, hospitality management, and tourism and outdoor leadership. OSU-Cascades expanded to a four-year university in fall 2015; its new campus will open in fall 2016.