Dr. Jane Lubchenco gave the commencement address at OSU's 150th Commencement on June 15, 2019.
Jane Lubchenco, Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Oregon State University, is a marine ecologist with expertise in the ocean, climate change, and interactions between the environment and human well-being. She served as the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and an inaugural member of President Barack Obama’s Science Team from 2009-2013. From 2014-2016, she was the first U.S. State Department Science Envoy for the Ocean, serving as a science diplomat to China, Indonesia, South Africa, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Dr. Lubchenco is one of the “most highly cited” ecologists in the world with eight publications as “Science Citation Classics.”
She believes in using science and engaging society to craft solutions to society’s biggest challenges. She has a distinguished history of collaborations with industry, communities, civil society, academia, and faith-based organizations to address climate change, reform fisheries, restore coastal habitats and promote resilient communities. She believes we can harness science and creativity and work with nature to achieve healthy and resilient oceans, productive landscapes, vibrant communities and people. In recognition of her scientific contributions, she is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The American Philosophical Society, the Royal Society, The World Academy of Science, and other distinguished academies. She has received numerous awards including 21 honorary doctorates and the highest honors given by the National Academy of Sciences (the Public Welfare Medal) and the National Science Foundation (the Vannevar Bush Award).