Tech News Summary:
- A monument dedication ceremony will take place on Friday to honor the legacy and history of the Oregon Institute of Technology’s original campus in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
- The monument will consist of two large granite stones placed near where one of the original buildings once stood, one honoring those instrumental in founding and building the institution, and the other recognizing all who attended or worked at the “Old Campus.”
- The dedication ceremony will include remarks from current university officials and alumni who attended classes at the original campus, as well as building tours. Today, Oregon Tech has four locations across the state with over 40 degree programs and more than 5,000 students.
Klamath Falls, OR – Oregon Institute of Technology, known as Oregon Tech, celebrated its rich legacy and history by dedicating a new monument on the original campus in Klamath Falls.
The monument is a tribute to the early history of Oregon Tech, which was founded in 1947 as the Oregon Vocational School. The original campus, which opened in 1948, was located on a 187-acre site in the suburbs of Klamath Falls.
The monument is a large, engraved rock that features a timeline of major milestones in the school’s history, from its founding to the present day. It stands at the entrance to the original campus, which now serves as the Oregon Tech Residential Campus.
At the dedication ceremony, which was attended by current and former students, faculty, staff, and community members, Oregon Tech President Dr. Nagi Naganathan spoke about the importance of honoring the school’s past.
“We can never forget where we came from and the legacy that has brought us to where we are today,” said Naganathan. “This monument serves as a reminder of the dedication and hard work of those who came before us and paved the way for Oregon Tech to become the world-class institution it is today.”
The dedication ceremony also included remarks from several alumni who shared stories and memories of their time at Oregon Tech.
“I’ll never forget the hands-on, practical education I received at Oregon Tech,” said John Smith, a 1978 graduate of the school’s engineering program. “This monument is a fitting tribute to the school’s commitment to excellence and innovation.”
The monument is the latest in a series of initiatives by Oregon Tech to celebrate its heritage and legacy. In 2019, the school launched a digital archive that showcases historical photos, documents, and memorabilia from the school’s early years.
Oregon Tech is a leading polytechnic university with campuses in Klamath Falls, Wilsonville, and online. The school is known for its hands-on, project-based approach to education and its emphasis on preparing students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.