On October 28th, 2017, the Oregon State University Alumni Association (OSUAA) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the opening of the CH2M HILL Alumni Center. This center, located on campus in the heart of the OSU athletic facilities, has served its mission well, providing a beautiful home for alumni to gather when returning to campus, while serving as the administrative center for the OSUAA alumni relations staff. During the ceremony, OSU President Ed Ray, OSUAA Executive Director Kathy Bickel, and others graciously acknowledged CH2M HILL’s contribution of funds, time, leadership and talents making this center possible.
“The CH2M Hill Alumni Center is a very special place on the OSU campus. I remember going to events here as a student and being amazed by the beauty of the building. It brings together generations of Beavers through so many wonderful events such as alumni gatherings, career fairs, new student welcomes, tailgaters, conferences, staff events, and community events. We are fortunate to have this great building and I’m grateful for all the memories it helps to create.” Yuliya Dennis, OSUAA Career Services Director
According to Christi Kasten, OSUAA Senior Associate Executive Director, the CH2M Hill Alumni Center has also proven to be a premier conference facility for the university and the mid-Willamette Valley. Last year, the center held 350 events and hosted more than 87,000 people. 80% of the events are university related. The center hosts alumni and student events, conferences and meeting for the university, non-profits and associations, community events, fundraisers, private weddings, etc. The center has become a vital hub for OSU alumni, students, and the community, while proving an ongoing source of revenue to help sustain the OSUAA’s important activities.
Roots of the Alumni Center
The roots of the alumni center took hold in the early 1990’s as the vision of Don Wirth, the long-time director of the OSUAA, and its Board of Directors at that time. Don approached Jim Poirot, OSU Class of ’53, then chairman of the CH2M HILL Board of Directors. They forged an agreement, for which Jim championed support from within CH2M HILL. On January 15th, 1993 Ralph Peterson, then President and CEO of CH2M HILL, pledged that the firm would contribute $2,000,000 in cash and in-kind design and construction serves as the lead donor. The pledge was in part made to honor the 5 founders of CH2M HILL, Holly Cornell, Jim Howland, Burke Hayes, and Fred Merryfield, all OSU grads, and Clair HILL. Also, Ralph was quoted: “We are saying ‘thank you’ to OSU for providing CH2M HILL with so many talented people.” Jim Poirot, working closely with Don Wirth, was appointed as Chairman of the alumni center steering committee, charged with raising additional funds and creating the center. The total cost of the project was approximately $8 million dollars, all private funds.
In total, CH2M HILL and its employee-owners ended up contributing over $2,500,000 including donated in-kind services. Fred Harem, OSU Class of ’50, and one of the early partners during the formative years of the firm, took the lead on encouraging CH2M HILL employees and retirees to make personal contributions, beyond the corporate commitment. Alumni center records list 31 employees or retirees who made individual donations, most of whom were OSU grads. The following individuals, often with their spouse, are on record as being individual contributors:
Mr. William E. Irving,
Mr. Bill Byers,
Ms. Sharry Breithaupt Gale,
Mr. Bob Chapman,
Mr. Carl E. Ryden,
Mr. Paul Kiyoichi Fujimoto,
Mr. Steven J. Allen,
Mr. Harry C. Teel, Jr.,
Mr. Gregory T. Young,
Mr. Roderick G. McLeod,
Mr. Norman L. Nelson,
Mr. Ernest E. Staley,
Mr. Craig L. Barrett,
Mr. Theodore A. Downen,
Mr. Melvin R. Adams,
Mr. Robert R. Adams,
Dr. Donald Gordon Anderson,
Mr. Hadi R. Azari,
Mr. L. Sheldon Barker,
Mr. Kenneth D. Bielman,
Mr. Phillip L. Cole,
Mr. Steve C. DeAutremont,
Mr. Kenneth D. Dobbin,
Mr. George F. Dotson,
Mr. Kenneth F. Durant,
Mr. David R. Evans,
Mr. Fred E. Harem,
Mr. Burke Hayes,
Mr. James Chase Howland,
Mr. Richard Craig Humphrey,
Mr. Robert R. Kinkead, Jr.,
Mr. Ralph Peterson.
Design and Construction of the Alumni Center
Design of the Center was led by IDC, a Portland-based division of CH2M HILL with strong architectural capabilities. Ken Lundgren was the Project Architect. At the outset of the project, he and several OSUAA staff and board members toured other successful alumni centers around the U.S. while forging the features and design concepts for OSU’s center.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the new center occurred on August 1, 1995. Andersen Construction Company of Portland was the prime contractor. Ernie Staley became the IDC Project Architect for construction services.
During this phase, Jim Poirot stayed active as a sponsor for project, attending many planning and review meetings in Corvallis, including his wife Raeda. They lived in Denver at that time and Raeta piloted their plane so that Jim could attend these meetings.
Construction of the 45,000 sq.ft., $8 million CH2M HILL Alumni Center was completed in September of 1997.
The Future
It is likely the Alumni Center will continue to fill its vital role for many years to come. The quality of the design, construction, and maintenance are evident. The facilities are still in “like new” condition.
More pictures, details and information about the Center are available at the following OSUAA web site:
(Contributed by Bob Chapman, Class of ’65, employee No 209, for posting on CH2M Alumni History web site, October 30, 2017)