OSU’s day of giving, Dam Proud Day, is this Wednesday

April 27, 2026

 

Dear OSU Community Members,

 

Please join me this Wednesday, April 29, by participating in Dam Proud Day, Oregon State University’s annual day of giving and engagement.

Dam Proud Day became a university-wide tradition in 2019 and is one of my favorite days of the year. It offers the opportunity for us all to celebrate the breadth of causes important to our community, the joy of giving and the difference gifts of all sizes make on OSU students and programs – all while having a whole lot of fun. I am especially delighted to share that more than 70 student organizations will participate this year: an increase from last year, our first to include student orgs. (Learn about last Dam Proud Day’s impact.)  

Employee, student, donor, alumni and community engagement are key to Dam Proud Day’s success. Thanks to $2 million in challenge gifts, every gift of any amount to an OSU program or project will go even further. And, to fuel the day’s excitement and inspire competition and participation, the OSU Foundation Trustee Chair Challenge provides $175,000 in prize money.

I encourage you to:  

  • Save the date for Dam Proud Day, April 29!

  • Participate in events in Corvallis, Bend, Portland and online.  

  • Make a gift of any size to funds that personally inspire you.

  • With as little as one click, share with your network about what makes you Dam Proud of Oregon State.

More than 80% of Dam Proud Day funds benefit students directly, with the remainder supporting university priority programs and initiatives.  

Not sure where to direct your gift? Consider these two priority funds.

  1. Finish in Four: Increasing OSU’s graduation rate to 80% is a key objective in the university’s strategic plan. The Finish in Four initiative helps Oregon students graduate in four years with little to no debt. My husband, Sanjay, and I are excited to support the Finish in Four initiative with $25,000 in challenge gifts designed to inspire broad participation, from gifts to student clubs to gifts across the entire giving day.  

  2. Oregon State Athletics: Your support powers student-athletes, fueling wins and investing in their holistic development and lifelong success. On Dam Proud Day, you can support student-athletes by giving to the OSU Athletics Fund for Excellence or the sport of your choice. 

Thank you in advance for your participation in this special day. I am grateful to the OSU Foundation for creating this opportunity for us to celebrate and support what we love about our university. Thank you as well as to university leaders, employees and students who have worked hard to make Dam Proud Day an exceptional OSU tradition.

I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish this year.

 

Go Beavs!

 

Jayathi Y. Murthy  

President