Beaver Champion Award

Professor Jerri Bartholomew from the Department of Microbiology earned the Beaver Champion Award for her pivotal role in integrating the arts and sciences across Oregon State University.

The Beaver Champion Award is a recognition by the university’s president which commends individuals for their tremendous efforts and accomplishments. Bartholomew has spent years bridging the rich scientific research of Oregon State to the creative mindset of the arts as a founding member of the Arts-Sci collective, which explores this intersection through galleries and courses among other events. Additionally, her grassroot efforts aimed at students include discretionary funds towards arts-integrating fellowships that support interdisciplinary projects.

Both the Director of the J.L. Fryer Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory and a glass artist herself, Bartholomew has been a leader in advocating for more integrative approaches to science. Her continual work has been key in developing PRAx, the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, which will be a linchpin in the university’s creative community.

“Professor Bartholomew has been a leader in the OSU community whose years of effort paved the way for PRAx to advance a vision of an OSU campus in which art and creativity drive science even as science inspires art and creativity,” one nominator wrote.

Reprinted from this story by the COS Communications team: Science receives record-breaking 12 awards at University Day.