Oregon State University - Cascades will host a viewing and discussion on May 11 of the documentary film “The First Step,” which focuses on criminal justice reform at a time of a national heightened addiction crisis and intense partisan divide.

The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Tykeson Hall, Room 111 on the OSU-Cascades campus. The event is free, although registration is required.

A researcher at Oregon State University-Cascades has received funding to develop a smart compost bin that tracks household food waste.

The project led by Patrick Donnelly, assistant professor of computer science in the OSU College of Engineering, seeks to make a dent in a multi-billion-dollar annual problem in the United States: More than one-third of all food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten.

Supporters of Oregon State University - Cascades set a record raising more than $95,000 for student scholarships and programs during Dam Proud Day, the university’s annual day of giving.

More than 180 community members, OSU-Cascades and OSU alumni, parents, faculty and staff contributed during the university’s fourth annual day of giving on April 26.

Oregon State University – Cascades has been awarded a $3.9 million federal grant to provide full tuition for up to 75 eligible graduate students in a Master of Counseling program designed to address the mental health needs of K-12 school children.

The five-year grant, provided by the U.S. Department of Education, seeks to address a school counselor shortage in Central Oregon and the increasing mental health needs of school children. In addition to full tuition, participants in the program can also apply for a $1,000 monthly stipend.

Sherman “Sherm” Bloomer, associate vice president of budget and resource planning at Oregon State University, has been named chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades in Bend. He will take on the top leadership position at the campus effective May 1.

Bloomer served as dean of OSU’s College of Science for 11 years prior to leading the university’s budget and resource planning office since 2012.

Oregon State University - Cascades’ Science Pub on April 18 will explore research underway at OSU-Cascades led by associate engineering professor Bahman Abbasi, to develop technology to desalinate water and extract valuable minerals from briny waters.

The Science Pub will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Worthy Brewing’s Eastside Brewery & Pub, 495 NE Bellevue Drive in Bend. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Student leaders at Oregon State University - Cascades will host a mini-golf tournament and silent auction on May 12 to help support student clubs and an emergency fund for students in need.

The tournament will start at 9 a.m. at Eagle Crest Resort’s 18-hole putting course. A reception will be held at 11:30 a.m.

The event is open to community members of all ages and OSU-Cascades students and employees. Registration is open for individuals and foursomes, as well as for organizations interested in contributing through sponsorships.

Four Central Oregon community members have been appointed to serve on the Oregon State University – Cascades Advocacy and Advisory Board by Interim Vice President Andrew Ketsdever.

Oregon State University - Cascades’ Science Pub on Mar. 21 will explore Central Oregon’s climate and lands, and their effect on plants in “Gardening in the High Desert is “Snow” Joke,” a presentation by Amy Jo Detweiler, a professor and horticulturist with the OSU Extension Service. 

The Science Pub will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Worthy Brewing’s Eastside Brewery & Pub, 495 NE Bellevue Drive in Bend. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Oregon State University - Cascades’ Science Pub on Feb. 21 will explore challenges experienced by tourism destinations around the globe, including Bend, and how to balance attracting visitors while maintaining community livability.

“The Tourism-Community Balance: Getting it Right in Bend and Beyond” will be presented by Todd Montgomery, executive-in-residence and the Robin and Curt Baney Professor in Hospitality Management, and the director of the Sustainable Tourism Lab at OSU-Cascades. Montgomery will be joined by Kevney Dugan, CEO of Visit Bend.