Alumni stories
College of Health
With more than 29,000 alumni across the globe, the College of Health carries out its vision of ensuring the lifelong health and well-being of every person, every family and every community in Oregon and beyond through its most important asset — you!
OSU nutrition faculty, students and alumni swept four awards at the 2026 Oregon Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference, led by Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Michelle Bump.
Shannon Wanless, Ph.D. '09, has been named a 2026 OSU Alumni Fellow and will be honored by the College of Health at the OSUAA Alumni Fellows Awards Dinner on April 23 in Corvallis.
For 35 years, William "Ropes" Robertson was Oregon State's beloved athletic trainer and storyteller, mentoring generations of Beaver athletes with humor, wisdom and an unforgettable presence.
Alum Dakota Witzel, human development and family sciences PhD ’22, was named a 2026 Outstanding Researcher by South Dakota State University’s College of Education and Human Sciences.
HDFS alumna Haley Thomas produced a Nike Super Bowl commercial that aired to millions of viewers nationwide.
Ken Cameron, ’93, received the NATA Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research, recognizing his sustained contributions to the field.
OSU alum Dennis Godby completes Walk USA for Health Equity, a nationwide effort to spotlight preventable health disparities.
MPH alumnus Chris McFarland was featured in The Corvallis Advocate for his work as a certified counselor with Benton County Behavioral Health and his impactful journey to community mental health service.
William "Ropes" Robertson (1915-1980) was OSU's first athletic trainer and co-creator of the athletic training education program now in the College of Health. A WWII veteran with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, he spent 34 years caring for Beaver athletes and became a legendary figure in OSU athletics history.
Katie Walsh Flanagan, MS, EdD, LAT, ATC, Oregon State University alumna and 1980 Physical Education graduate, has been inducted into the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Hall of Fame. Her 43-year career in athletic training began with a chance injury during her time at OSU, leading her from pre-veterinary studies to becoming a leader in the athletic training profession.
Congratulations to Nikolaus Anderson, a 2022 kinesiology graduate, who was recently accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at OSU-Cascades.
Congratulations to kinesiology alumna Dr. Bethany Sloane, associate professor of pediatrics. She received a prestigious NIH K23 career award, which supports patient-oriented research for early-career, clinically trained professionals.