A gift to Oregon State University–Cascades will establish a fund to enhance classroom learning and hands-on experiences for students in the newly launched accountancy degree program.
The $50,000 gift was made through the OSU Foundation by Lance Brant, an alumnus of OSU’s College of Business, and founder and co-managing partner of Capstone Accounting and Tax in Bend.
“This generous gift underscores the important role community and alumni philanthropy can play in readying students for a dynamic workforce,” said Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades. “It also advances the vision for a university campus that serves Central Oregon and supports the state’s economic development and workforce needs.”
Launched this fall, in partnership with the OSU College of Business, the accountancy program responds to the growing demand for skilled professionals in Central Oregon, across the state, and nationwide.
Across Oregon, 1,300 jobs are projected to open annually for accountants and auditors through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Openings for certified public accountants in Oregon are expected to further increase as many current CPAs retire.
Capstone Accounting and Tax is one of the largest accounting firms in Central Oregon. Brant anticipates that his company will hire up to 40 new accountants over the next five years.
“We are grateful to Lance Brant for his visionary gift to Oregon State University–Cascades and its students,” said Shawn L. Scoville, president and CEO of the OSU Foundation. “His gift leverages the strengths of OSU’s College of Business and the university’s innovative campus in Bend, and represents an investment in the workforce of the future.”
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades is a highly innovative campus of a top-tier land grant research university, offering small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. OSU-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.