Empty Nest Newsletter - Fall 2025

It has been a wonderful term thus far in Housing at Oregon Tech. We are grateful to the students who live on campus and choose to make Oregon Tech not only their place of education but also their home. We currently have over 700 students on campus. The Residential Buildings have been busy with scheduled and impromptu study groups, Friendsgiving, Hall Crawl, campfire nights, and more!

Before Winter Break, we will release applications for Fall 2026 Resident Assistants (RAs), Student Success Mentors (SSMs), and Programming Assistants (PAs). Although applications won’t be due until after the break, early release allows students to work on them during Winter Break without the pressure of classes. These roles offer valuable leadership experience and a chance to be part of the Housing team. If your student shows leadership potential, is coachable, and wants to grow on campus, please encourage them to apply. Applications for the Service Desk and Summer Custodial will be released later in Winter Term.

There are a few important tasks students need to complete before leaving for Winter Break (or if they plan to stay on campus). Students should check their OIT email daily, as all Housing deadlines and check-out information will be communicated there.

Winter Break Information

• Housing closes at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 19, 2025.
  • Students may stay all or part of Winter Break only if they are returning for Winter Term. Anyone staying past 1:00 PM on Dec. 19 must complete the “Winter Break—Staying Over” form in eRezLife.
  • Students checking out for the year must fully vacate their room and return keys to their RA by 1:00 PM on Dec. 19.
• Students returning for Winter Term may leave belongings and keep their keys, but must complete the required “To-Do List” before leaving (clean fridge, remove perishables, empty trash, close windows, turn off electronics, etc.).
• Dining is closed during Winter Break. Students staying on campus should plan accordingly.
• Shuttle service to/from the Klamath Falls Train/Bus Station will run:
  • Dec. 15 (PM) – Dec. 19 (AM)
  • Jan. 3 (PM) – Jan. 4 (PM)

Winter Term Information

• Housing reopens at noon on January 3. Students arriving earlier must complete the “Winter Break—Staying Over” form.
• Dining reopens on Sunday, January 4 for dinner. Students are responsible for meals prior to that time.
• Fall 2026 Housing Applications will open in January for students planning to live with us next year.

Many of you have likely seen the progress on the new Student Housing building. While construction is moving forward, the completion date has been adjusted from January 2026 to the end of March 2026. If the building is finished by then, students will have the option to move in for Spring Term. Throughout Winter Term, we will continue to share updates on the opening timeline and the process for indicating interest in moving into the new building for Spring Term.

As always, please reach out to Housing if you have questions or concerns via email at housing@oit.edu or phone 541-885-1094.

We are looking forward to wrapping up 2025 successfully and launching into 2026 with joy! 

Fall Term 2025

Winter Term 2025

This is the first fall we are sharing about the Honors Program at Oregon Tech with the readers of the Empty Nest Newsletter.

I’m Dr. Christopher J. Syrnyk and I’ve had the privilege of directing the Honors Program for ten years. The HP slogan, “Fostering the person in the future professional,” is our goal in the HP, and it all revolves around teaching HP students to know ideas, ask questions, and seek answers. It’s what best prepares our HP graduates to do their best in the world. Each fall, we welcome a new cohort of about 25 fantastic students from across the state and beyond, and from across the majors, to challenge themselves through this unique and engaging academic program, to embrace the goal of “better living through better thinking.” We offer, at no additional cost (beyond what a student pays to attend and take classes at OT), a set of curricular and co-curricular learning experiences: we are growing the HP each year, and we are improving the HP each year.

Here's some news from the Honors Program:

• Last year, in collaboration with the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Oregon Tech’s Honors Program achieved the designation of a “Partners in Peace” institution. We submitted a co-curricular program that requires us each year to develop a multipart project based on the year’s recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
• This December, we are fortunate to celebrate the 3rd Annual Honors Program President’s Holiday Book Party with our good friends at Canvasback Books in downtown Klamath Falls. Oregon Tech’s President Dr. Nagi Naganathan and friends, along with a good many Honors Program students, spend a couple of hours at Canvasback Books, and the President graciously purchases books for the HP students. The HP loves supporting local businesses, and the President clearly values supporting the HP students and the Honors Program.
• This winter term, get ready: It will be the Third Annual Wicked UNO Tournament. It’s brutal. It’s UNO. It’s tradition. I always say, and I think there are many who would agree with me, that UNO is the rare game which is as much fun to play as it is to watch people play it. Get ready for UNO.

There’s so much more I can say about the great students of the Honors Program, as well as all the great campus partners whose efforts allow the Honors Program to flourish, from the President to the Provost, and our dynamic Associate Vice Provost for Academic Excellence, to the finest faculty around, to the most wonderful staff of The Office of the Registrar and my amazing colleagues in the Office of Admissions, and so many more. It’s my true privilege to come to work every day and do my best for the students in the Honors Program. If you would like to learn more about the Honors Program, please email me: Christopher.Syrnyk@oit.edu. 

Career Services had an active fall term, hosting events, updating online resources, and providing students with opportunities to network, explore, and prepare for the professional world. Our office proudly hosted four career fairs this term, three in Klamath Falls, and one in Portland-Metro. In addition to the fairs, we organized several complementary events to support student success.

We welcomed The Boeing Company, who hosted an information session on each campus focused on production engineering and their opportunities for career growth and development.

To help students make a strong impression at the fairs, Erin Martin, Portland-Metro Career Advisor, led Prepare for the Fair: Drop-in Resume Review sessions on both campuses. Students who attended received practical guidance on resume formatting, content, and style to present their qualifications effectively and increase their chances of securing top-tier jobs and internships.

Online Resources for Students

Our team has been hard at work updating our online resources and is excited to share them with students!

Updated Website – We’ve recently updated our department website to make it easier to navigate and quicker to find what you’re looking for. Our site is a one-stop shop for information on career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, job or internship searching, and preparing for interviews. Check it out today!

Canvas ‘Internship Search’ Course – This not-for-credit internship course, available in the ‘Courses’ tab of Canvas, was designed to guide students through the internship search process at their own pace. Learn how to formulate a strong resume and cover letter, discover where to find and apply to internships online, and master the interview process!

What’s Next

Fall term may be coming to an end, but career preparation never stops! November through March is the peak of internship recruitment season, which means application deadlines are approaching. Make sure your student is ready to take advantage of these opportunities.

Students can discover and apply for internships through Handshake, our dedicated career management platform. By logging in, they gain access to job postings, networking opportunities, and the ability to schedule one-on-one meetings with career advisors. These personalized meetings help students refine their resumes, strengthen interview skills, and prepare for internship success.

It’s also not too early for seniors graduating in June to begin applying for full-time positions and working on their application materials. Starting now allows them to research employers, tailor their resumes and cover letters, and prepare for interviews well ahead of graduation. Early action can help them secure opportunities before the spring hiring rush.

Winter break offers an excellent opportunity for students to focus on career development. They can update application materials, refresh online professional profiles, and set clear career goals. Investing time now will give them a competitive edge when internship and job opportunities arise.

Greetings from the library! The Klamath Falls library was excited to welcome students back to campus for the 2025-2026 academic year and show off the new spaces and environments curated for student success. Over the summer, every piece of furniture within the library was shifted, rearranged, or replaced with student engagement in mind.

Walking into the library, students will see the new Research Desk at which librarians are stationed to help students find the information they need for their projects, papers, and passions. Behind the desk, a sea of whiteboard tables await students to aid in their individual studies. Four new small group spaces have also been added to the main library floor providing patrons with additional more private spaces all with different layouts. Peer Tutoring has also moved out of the lower mezzanine and into the main space providing more visibility to students.

The lower mezzanine has also gone through a branding change to welcome more students into the cozy space. The space being previously referred to as “The Pit” is now named “The Den” and provides students with a smaller, quieter atmosphere filled with popular reading books that you might see rising in fame on social media along with board and card games, puzzles and chess. This space supplies students with a chance to step away from their academics and recharge before their tests and study marathons.

In our other spaces, new wall decals have been added to our individual study rooms and reservable study spaces adding some color and light to the areas. While we continue to develop our spaces, student feedback remains integral. Listening to students, their needs and wants, more movement and changes will be made to ensure we provide students with the support and space they need to succeed. 

Salutations parents, guardians, and supporters!  Disability & Testing Services (DTS) supports students with disabilities by facilitating access to Oregon Tech programs and services through accommodation, education, consultation, and advocacy.  If your student is already registered with our office, please encourage them to stay in contact with our office if they are experiencing any issues with their accommodation; we are always happy to help where we are able, but we can’t help if we don’t know that there is a problem.  If your student is not registered with our office but had an IEP/504 Plan previously or has expressed experiencing challenges that might be related to a disability, please encourage them to connect with our office and engage in our interactive process.  Information on how to register with our office is available on our website: www.oit.edu/academics/cares/disability-services

While we value the partnership with parents/guardians/supporters, college is a great opportunity for your student to practice and develop vital self-advocacy skills.  If your student wants you to be involved in our support or in engaging in our process, we are happy to share that experience with you – however, we are here to support the student and we ask that the student take the lead in the process and communication with our office.

We have staff available on both the Klamath Falls and Portland-Metro campuses, but we support all students at Oregon Tech.  We are available to meet with students year-round, so even though we are heading towards finals, we still can meet with students to discuss appropriate accommodation.  We encourage students, if they have any questions or want more information, to visit our website or contact us at our office email: access@oit.edu

TOP Celebrates First-Generation to College Students All Week Long

Charlotte Waite, Interim Director of TOP

Have you ever been trying to navigate a new city without a map? It can be isolating, scary, and at times lonely. That is what it may feel like for first-generation college students who are pursuing higher education. In support of students who are the first in their families to attend college, Oregon Tech’s TRIO program (TOP) collaborated with campus partners to celebrate first-generation to college students all week long. From connecting over a casual coffee to sitting down and listening to first-generation students, staff and faculty’s experiences and advice, these events celebrated an underrepresented community here on campus while also providing an opportunity for non-first-generation students to show their support.

First-generation college students are those whose parents or legal guardians did not earn a bachelor’s degree before the student was in high school. Approximately 36 percent of Oregon Tech students fall into this category, a significant source of pride for these students and their families. Being the first in their families to attend college is an amazing accomplishment for many of the students at Oregon Tech and their families. In order to support these students, Oregon Tech’s TRiO grant, the Tech Opportunities Program (TOP), provides a variety of student support services from one-on-one advising to community building making Oregon Tech a true home away from home for students. TOP is a student-focused program that powers the potential of first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities.

On Monday, students stopping by the College Union (CU) were greeted with friendly faces and a choice of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or apple cider to start their mornings and hear about what was planned for the rest of the week. On Tuesday, TOP students were able to drop by the TOP space for one-on-one advising and support. Tuesday was met with a task and reflection. Wednesday was a practice in flexibility as the annual march to the “O” was canceled due to the extreme wind and rain. Instead, students banded together to reflect on the necessities of flexibility and making the most out of situations, even when they don’t go to plan. Thursday, conversations continued through a titillating first-generation panel in which first-generation students, staff, and faculty shared their experience being the first in their family to attend college. The final day of the week was met with joy as cupcakes were handed out to all students celebrating November 8’s National First-Generation Day a day early. The day wrapped with a sit-down dinner in which attendees listened to motivating speeches from TOP staff, students and OIT’s very own first-generation Dean of Students, Bonita Bontrager and Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity, Jennifer Wilson. 

Part 2: See Professional Development Article, Spring 2025

Fostering students and graduate success is part of our university mission statement.  The Department of Student Affairs works to tailor student employment goals to align to that objective by providing a hands-on, project-based learning environment while emphasizing innovation.

Our aim is to provide students with opportunities to gain transferable skills based on the NACE competencies.  We are adding to our goal setting program, ‘Begin with the End in Mind’, for student workers this school year to continue to improve their experience with their campus employment:

• Students started the school year with a project that was assigned within Freshservice.  They send a weekly update, documenting the action(s) they took in relation to their project or goal.  At the end of the month, students will create a Power Statement by choosing one problem or task they worked on and include the action they took to show their impact (problem + action = impact).  At the end of the school year, the students will have eight Power Statements documenting the positive impact their transferable skills made on their campus community.
• This teaches students a pattern for solving problems.
• “Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” ― Brené Brown
• We set up the capability for campus partners to submit projects for student workers using the ticketing system.  The process for ticket submission was publicized to campus partners on the Portland-Metro campus.  Students will have an opportunity to support the broader campus community.
• Monthly check-ins allow us to help identify barriers for success.  Keeping students engaged and motivated increases student retention. Their energy and commitment to their work inspires those around them.
• This structured program helps us stay vigilant and responsive to campus issues, thus keeping our students engaged and our campus thriving.  Our students feel supported and empowered to be part of the change they want to see. This success fuels the future success of our university.

We are excited to see how this project enables us to provide more effective service to our campus community and anticipate great success for our students as they utilize an industry-proven project management tool for their professional role. 

ASOIT officers from the Klamath Falls and Portland-Metro gathered in Klamath Falls for a joint training about leadership, advocacy and collaborating to serve the student body.

The Portland-Metro crew traveled down from Wilsonville on Thursday, October 16. One officer is interested in locomotive engineering so we made a stop at Train Mountain in Chiloquin, and learned about the organization and land from a volunteer who brings his small train to Oregon every year. We arrived at the Klamath Falls campus in the afternoon to join the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Senator Betsy Johnson Atrium in Boivin Hall. We heard about Senator Johnson’s exemplary work for the state of Oregon and her support of Oregon Institute of technology over the years. Cruz Collin, ASOIT-KF Academic Affairs Office for the College of Engineering, Technology, and Management, spoke about his experience as a scholar. Portland-Metro officers explored the Klamath Falls campus and spoke with students about their experiences on the Klamath Falls campus. They attended the Latino Club’s Lotería activity that evening. 

Friday morning, We returned to campus where both groups of officers presented to the Board of Trustees, each providing their introductions and their platforms for the 2025-2026 academic year. link to the board page and their slide deck. They spent the day exploring the Klamath Falls campus. The Vice President of the Klamath Falls officer board gave the Portland-Metro officer a campus tour. They also had the chance to meet some of their faculty that work at the Klamath Falls campus, enjoyed lunch in the Marketplace dining hall, and spent some time on their homework in the library and various buildings. 

President Dr. Naganathan invited officer groups from both campuses to dinner at the Rooster’s Steak and Chop House on Main Street, which has become a tradition for the ASOIT officers at the beginning of each academic year. We let them know that this is an excellent opportunity to practice professional skills, as they will likely have an interview and important meetings at restaurants in the future. We give them tips about how to conduct themselves at business meetings and restaurants, but mostly it was an opportunity for them to get to know each other over a four-hour coursed meal. We were delighted to also get to spend time with Trustee Dr. Vijay Dhir, Dr. Abdy Afjeh, and the ASOIT advisors: Dr. Mandi Clark, Kim Faks, and Josie Hudspeth.
 

Saturday morning, the group gathered at Waffle Hut and Eatery with Dean of Students, Bonita Bontrager. They talked about what they had learned and about their student experiences, and got to know each other on Saturday morning. We then went to campus and spent the next five hours training. We discussed student organization policies, and procedures, and the differences on how they operate on the two campuses. We enjoyed lunch from Thai Orchid, a local restaurant owned by one of our most supportive alumni of student activities. In small groups, they discussed leadership roles of each officer on each campus. Each officer analyzed their advocacy platform using the Kellogg Logic Model and which fostered ideas about consensus building as they drive their platforms forward. We ended the day by declaring each person’s intentions for the year. Throughout the entire training day, they discussed how they could collaborate with the insight, connections, and resources that they all had to provide a better student experience university-wide. The Portland-Metro officer team loaded up the car and returned to Wilsonville, pausing at Coburg Pizza for one final meal on a three-day nonstop, professional journey. As we pulled into the campus it was pouring rain, and the officers immediately took action to get the car unloaded.

As I reflect on this weekend, I’m so thankful for the time and energy that the students were able to commit. I have never participated in a joint training with officers from each campus. Students shared that being able to meet each other on Friday and spend time together at dinner was exceptionally helpful in making Saturday productive. I think they are much more likely to work together and collectively advocate for the student body. As an advisor, I couldn’t be prouder of the time and intention that each student brought through the whole weekend. It takes a lot of trust to commit three days to travel across the state and spend an entire day in a work training rather than in classes, study time, and personal time. These professional development opportunities are critical. I hope that it will prove to have a tremendous impact on the community through the relationships and connections that they were able to develop. I’m so thankful for my colleague and co-advisor, Kim. We spend both five-hour car rides planning, brainstorming, and laughing about the ways to improve our work. We always find these trips to be fruitful and fun. We hope that our students are seeing evidence of what it looks like when you love what you do, you take your work seriously, and you don’t always take yourself too seriously. 

Frontier of Opportunity
Landon Lewis

Oregon Tech is a frontier for opportunity. Students come from all over the country to be part of what this campus has to offer, and I’m proud to say I’m one of them. My name is Landon Lewis, and I’m from Idaho Springs, Colorado. Since arriving here, I’ve had countless chances to make friends and connect with people in ways that feel genuinely meaningful. Even during my first week, I found myself bowling with new friends and watching a hypnotist who had performed on the national stage.

Our clubs and the Campus Activities Board put a tremendous amount of energy into creating events that bring students together and make campus life exciting. This spring, the Outdoor Club has even planned a skydiving trip and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. They’ve also lined up paintball, snow camping, beach trips, and plenty more to keep students engaged and having fun. They’re always open to suggestions, and they truly do everything outdoors.

Oregon Tech values its students and their voices as well. I’ve had several opportunities to share feedback and help revise plans for upcoming events. When the school takes our ideas to heart, it empowers us and shows that student input really matters. I’m proud to be an Owl, and I’m glad I decided to leave the nest.

Leaving the Nest
Maddie Ruffe

Like most freshmen coming to college for the first time, it wasn’t an easy transition emotionally for my family or myself to leave the nest that I call my home and move into a new one all on my own. When it comes to learning to be independent, I’ve come to learn that it is a practical skill that we have been building throughout our whole lives growing up and college is the one point where we utilize it and apply it to our own individual lives.

On the surface, it looked like I was confident in my abilities at making good use of my honed skills to acquire my independence in college, but my mind was in disarray as I stepped out of the car at the early hour of 9am before shakily making my way over to the tent of other students to confirm my attendance for Flight School. The second the key to my dorm room touched my hand was when the realization hit me: that I’m officially on my own.

My parents and I finished unloading, organizing, and decorating my new home for the next year. With heavy sighs, the three of us shared hugs before parting ways. I honestly thought that I would be just as nervous as I was that morning as the official events of the Flight School week began, but I felt strangely calm and neutral about the whole situation of being on my own. There was a part of me that felt somewhat guilty for not missing home as much as my family was going to miss me, but there was also a part of me that felt like this whole transition was natural in a way.

During the week of Flight School, it was a bit of an awkward start for everyone at first, but all it took to interact with people was laughing at a dumb little joke or a simple little ‘hello’. I truly felt like I’ve grown as a person coming into my own. I used to lack much confidence in High School, but this new environment at Oregon Tech has felt like a much-needed breath of fresh air where a new chapter to my life begins. The friends that I have met in the span of just one week of school have been such a blessing with how easily we are able to support each other in reaching our journey’s end.

In each Owl’s chapter, we each have a part to play in supporting each other as we try our best to row the boat that we all find ourselves in together. Whether we need a study buddy or someone to vent to, we are a big support system for each other because even though we are ultimately going in different directions, we’re all still in the same boat in the same ocean that we struggle to navigate through.

For the astounding parents and guardians who raised each and every one of us, I just want to say that you all did such a wonderful job at raising us and getting us to this point. You have taught us to grow and develop us into the strong, hard-working adults that we are becoming and you should give yourselves a round of applause for that achievement. Now please don’t be upset that we have left the nest because we have learned from you how to spread our mighty wings and soar.

Events at Oregon Tech
Ashlyn Frye

Student life here at Oregon Tech can get very hectic at times. Between midterms, homework, and social life, it is very easy for students to feel overwhelmed. Luckily the activities board is able to host amazing opportunities and new experiences. On Friday, November 14th, not only was there a mens basketball game but also ice skating. I was able to attend both with friends after a chaotic past two weeks. The men’s basketball game was so intense but so intriguing to watch. The community that comes together for a sporting event was beyond incredible and beyond fun. Including a performance from the Enspyre Dance Collective team, a team consisting of youth girls, at half time. Although many students feel Klamath Falls is not a “college town” with activities to do outside of campus, the activity board allows for certain activities like ice skating for students to get away from school life. Ice Skating was held at Bill Collier Ice Area, it was such an amazing venue and so amazing to see familiar faces while skating. The rink was filled with smiles, kids hoping not to fall, and so much laughter. The activity was so popular that it was sold out! Just the feeling of being surrounded by friends and classmates while doing something fun was incredible. I want to encourage students to attend at least one activity outside of campus to not only explore Klamath Falls, but to have fun. Getting away from campus can allow for a whole new light on the college experience. Thank you to the activities board for allowing this incredible experience!

Important Information to share with your student from the Financial Aid Office:

• The FAFSA opened October 1. Not too late to file your FAFSA, file soon though. www.studentaid.gov .
• Oregon Students apply for OSAC scholarships www.oregonstudentaid.gov  Deadline March 2.
• Watch for OTF scholarships in December; can apply through TechWeb.  Deadline March 2.
• Scholarship Night is coming in January, this is a great opportunity for information, tips, and treats. 

“As a first-generation college student with autism, the road was never easy for me, especially when affording college; however, the support from the Foundation scholarships helped me overcome these barriers." - Colton Hurst, Business Management '26, Guest speaker and recipient of the Hyde Family Memorial Scholarship and Oregon Tech Foundation Scholarship

We were thrilled to gather earlier this month to celebrate the Oregon Tech Foundation scholarship recipients and scholarship donors for the 2025-2026 academic year. As always, the heartwarming highlight of the event was hearing from four inspiring students from a variety of degree programs - Annie Campos, Jacob Dennis, Kristalina Derry, and Colton Hurst - about their unique experiences at Oregon Tech.

Thankfully, technology allows us to share the event, whether present or from afar! We hope you enjoy checking out the viewing opportunities that are accessible through the links below.
THANK YOU for your support of the Oregon Tech Scholarship program.

• 2025-2026 Scholarships
• Event Photos
• Livestream Video Recording
• Scholarship Recipient Testimonials

1st Annual Music Garden at Portland-Metro

On October 7th, the Portland-Metro campus in Wilsonville welcomed students, staff, faculty, and community members to its inaugural Music Garden, an event coordinated by Student Involvement and Belonging.

Attendees enjoyed live performances by the West Coast band Family Mystic and Oregon Tech’s own CSET PM Band, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere. The event was free and open to all, offering complimentary food, entertainment, and activities for guests of all ages.

Highlights included inflatable mini golf, skee ball, and axe-throwing, along with a children’s craft area where young attendees could build their own musical instruments. Guests also engaged in friendly competition with life-size checkers and chess. 

Based on attendees' overwhelmingly positive feedback, the Portland-Metro Music Garden will become an annual tradition and an exciting way for the campus community to come together to kick off the new academic year. 

Fall Fest Connects Students with Campus Resources: 

The Portland-Metro campus hosts an annual tradition that provides students with an opportunity to meet the professional staff who manage student resources. Coordinated by Student Involvement and Belonging, Fall Fest creates a festive environment where students play Fall Fest Bingo and are tasked with visiting each campus resource table to engage with staff about how that resource supports student success. Fall Fest provides a welcoming backdrop for students to become more comfortable with staff who can help them navigate challenges through one-on-one direct support or offer expert guidance on overcoming barriers. The event fosters an environment that encourages students to “Ask for H.E.L.P. (Harness Early Learning Potential)” from professional staff and faculty early and often when challenges arise. This allows students to receive solutions more quickly and refocus their efforts back on academic and overall well-being.

Saturday, January 24 , 2026, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Come together for a day of fun, connection, and campus pride! Whether you're a current student, proud family member, or returning alum, there's something for everyone:

• 🏌️‍♂️ Mini-Golf Tour: Tee off on a playful journey across campus!
• 🎤 Student & Faculty Spotlights: Hear inspiring stories and exciting projects.
• 🎓 Alumni Panel: Discover where an Oregon Tech degree can take you.
• 🍽️ Shared Meal: Enjoy great food and even better company.

Let’s celebrate the Oregon Tech community — past, present, and future — with laughter, learning, and lasting memories! For more details and to register:  Portland-Metro Student, Family, & Alumni Day 2026

Questions, please email Student Involvement and Belonging Assistant Director, Kim Faks at kim.faks@oit.edu 

Playing in the toughest conference in the NAIA (seven Top-25 teams made the national tournament), the Lady Owls finished 12-15 on the season – narrowly missing the Cascade Conference Tournament. 

Lucy Boyd earned second team All-CCC honors and Abigail Sorensen was earned honorable mention All-CCC honors.

The Hustlin’ Owls finished the season 7-6-5, setting a new school record with five draws. 

Tech advanced to the CCC Tournament, falling to Carroll in the quarterfinals.

Keeper Harvey Bolland was named second team All-CCC.

The Lady Owls recorded another 10-win season, ending the year with a 10-6-3 record, advancing to the quarterfinals of the CCC Tournament, falling 3-2 to Eastern Oregon.

Jaylee Curran was named a first-team All-CCC pick.

The Oregon Tech women placed fifth and the Oregon Tech men took seventh at the CCC Championships, with junior Saundra Parsons qualifying for the NAIA Championships after placing 13th at the CCC Championships, earning All-CCC honors.

Basketball:

 Both teams open the 2025-26 in the Top-25, the Lady Owls at #14 and the Hustlin’ Owls at 19.

Hall of Fame Inducts New Members: 

The Howard Morris Oregon Tech Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed four new individuals and a team into its fraternity on Nov. 15, as the school held the fifth-annual induction ceremonies. Men's basketball All-American, Rafid Kiti, softball All-Americans Brenda (Ruppel) Mick and Leah (Azevedo) Jolly, longtime basketball assistant coach Mike Pisan, along with the 1997-98 men's basketball team, joined the exclusive club. Kiti, the Hustlin' Owls first-ever first-team All-American, spoke of his long journey that started as a child in war-torn Iraq and ended in Klamath Falls, where he scored 1,399 career points in two seasons and earned Cascade Conference Player of the Year honors in 1994. Both Mick and Azevedo spoke of the influence their fathers had on shaping their softball careers and how coaches Danny Miles, Mary Bradford and Bill Fagan were key in their success at Tech. Mick was a two-time All-American in 1997 and 1998 and is OIT's all-time ERA leader (0.94), while Azevedo was a first-team All-American in 2002, posting the current school record batting average of .500. Pisan, a longtime assistant for Miles and a radio analyst alongside fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Bobby Thompson, was grateful for his wife pushing him back into the coaching ranks in 2001 after retiring as an administrator with the Klamath Falls City Schools. He was on the bench when Tech claimed the 2004, 2008 and 2012 NAIA titles. Miles spoke at length about his 1997-98 team, which earned an at-large bid to the NAIA Tournament and won four games in five days to reach Tech's first-ever national title game, losing at the buzzer to Bethel (Ind.). Standout forward from the team, Matt Foster, talked about the great team chemistry the squad had, as 12 of the 13 players on the club were in attendance. The Hall of Fame is named after its first inductee, legendary OIT coach and administrator, Howard Morris, who shaped Hustlin' Owl athletics during his three decades in the Basin.

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