OSU-Cascades to honor Rod Ray with special recognition at commencement

Rod Ray - former CEO, Bend Research Inc.
Rod Ray, former CEO and president of Bend Research Inc.
June 1, 2017

Oregon State University – Cascades will honor the former chief executive officer and president of Bend Research, Inc., Rod Ray, during its 16th annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 17.

Ray will receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Bend campus. The award honors individuals, businesses or organizations who have made exceptional contributions to OSU-Cascades, Central Oregon, the State of Oregon or the world.

A native of Bend, Ray is a scientist, engineer and business leader, and has been a generous and vocal supporter for K-12 and higher education, youth sports, and for economic development and quality of life in Bend and Central Oregon.

Ray joined Bend Research in 1975 as a student intern when the company had four employees. Beginning in 2002 he served at the company’s helm for more than 20 years, until its purchase by Capsugel in 2014. Under Ray’s leadership, the company grew from 135 to 250 employees, who included scientists and manufacturing experts. He currently serves on the company’s Scientific and Business Advisory Board.

An alumnus of Oregon State University, Ray served on the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2015 and currently sits on the OSU College of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Council. He joined the OSU-Cascades Advocacy and Advisory Board in 2017.

Ray’s contributions to OSU-Cascades’ expansion to a four-year university have included supporting the effort to develop a net zero energy campus, securing philanthropic support, and working with faculty members to enhance academic and professional opportunities for teaching and research faculty, and for students.

Ray is past chair and emeritus board member of Volunteers in Medicine, and director emeritus of the Family Resource Center of Central Oregon and the Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation. 

He holds a master’s degree and doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado, and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University.  He is a registered professional engineer in Colorado and Oregon, holds 23 U.S. patents, and is the author of 46 research publications.

The commencement ceremony will take place at the Les Schwab Amphitheatre in the Old Mill District on at 12:00 p.m.  For additional information visit http://www.osucascades.edu/commencement.

About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s branch 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. The branch campus expanded to a four-year university beginning fall 2015; its new campus opened in 2016.