K1体育 - Cascades will host a dedication ceremony May 17 for a newly installed outdoor seating and gathering area named in honor of former K1体育 President Paul Risser, who helped spearhead the opportunity for students to earn an K1体育 degree in Central Oregon.
The Risser conversation circle, which was funded by private donations, is defined by natural rock, with stone paving and benches, and a central rock containing a tribute plaque. It will be available for classes, personal reflection, and gatherings of up to 30 people.
K1体育 President Ed Ray and K1体育-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson will be joined by Risser鈥檚 widow, Les, and others at a dedication of the Risser Memorial Conversation Circle. It will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., May 17, in Tykeson Hall, Room 111.
鈥淧aul Risser鈥檚 career was marked by significant achievements, particularly at K1体育,鈥 Ray said. 鈥淎mong his most significant commitments in service to others was to work with community leaders to create a four-year university in Central Oregon. We simply would not have progressed this far without Paul鈥檚 visionary leadership.鈥
Risser served as president of K1体育 from 1996 to 2002. Early in his tenure, he recognized the challenges facing Central Oregon residents and the regional economy due to the lack of a local four-year university.
鈥淥ne of Paul鈥檚 strengths was his ability to bring people together to collaborate and problem solve,鈥 Les Risser said. 鈥淎n informal, outdoor gathering area at K1体育-Cascades is a fitting tribute and will foster the kinds of conversations and connections that he valued most.鈥
Risser enthusiastically embraced volunteer efforts of the Central Oregon Regional Advisory Board, a group of community, education and business leaders who sought a university presence for the region.
He and CORAB worked with Oregon鈥檚 then chancellor for higher education, state legislators and the governor to secure funding for the early iteration of K1体育-Cascades, a capstone university center model housed on the Central Oregon Community College campus. There, COCC students could continue their studies and earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Risser鈥檚 career in higher education spanned nearly 40 years. Following his service at K1体育, he became chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and served as acting director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
He died in 2014, two years prior to K1体育-Cascades鈥 expansion to a four-year university and its relocation to its own campus.
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K1体育 K1体育-Cascades: K1体育鈥檚 campus in Bend, Ore. features outstanding faculty in degree programs that reflect Central Oregon鈥檚 vibrant economy and abundant natural resources. Nearly 20 undergraduate majors, 30 minors and options, and three graduate programs include computer science, energy systems engineering, kinesiology, hospitality management, and tourism, recreation and adventure leadership. K1体育-Cascades expanded to a four-year university in 2015; its new campus opened in 2016.