Winter 2024 1 C ON T E N T S WINTER 2024 FEAR IN THE WATER • LOOKING BACK AT THE PAC WINTER 2024 LOOKING BACK AT THE PAC How the breakup of the Pac-12’s predecessor echoes in today’s events. p. 42 THE SISTERS OF SUSPENSE A steamy combo of romance and mystery catapults two alumnae to the bestseller lists. p. 50 BEYOND FEAR Ride along with the OSU researchers working to change sharks’ reputation and replace our ignorance with awe. p. 32 In Every Issue On the Cover The magazine of the Oregon State University Alumni Association F E A T U R E S PHOTO BY LOUISE JOHNS WINTER 2024 THE QUAD VOICES P.12 President Jayathi Murthy talks about the impact of Pac-12 conference realignment. And four perspectives on what should be preserved as college sports change. NEWS P.15 A banner year for OSU research; Corvallis campus earns arboretum status; PRAx debut performance schedule announced; and more. RESEARCH P. 21 Teaching humanoid robots social skills; OSU zebrafish research gets big boost; wave energy testing facility takes shape. CULTURE P. 27 Online classes bring a new kind of music education to unexpected places; OSU Chamber Choir tours Europe; upcoming events. OUR COMMUNITY ALUMNI NEWS P.49 How a steamy combo of romance and mystery catapulted sisters to the bestseller lists; Q&A with Morgan Eckroth, champion barista and social media influencer; gifts for animal lovers; and updates from alumni near and far. ← Cover by illustrator Tim O’Brien. 2 PHOTO ESSAY 5 EDITOR'S LETTER 7 PUBLISHER'S LETTER 8 LETTERS 58 IN MEMORIAM 64 BACKSTORY 32 Fear in the Water Ride along with the Oregon State researchers working to change sharks’ reputation and replace our ignorance with awe. By Cathleen Hockman-Wert 42 The First Time the Western Conference Fell How the breakup of the Pac-12’s predecessor echoes in today’s events. By Kip Carlson HINGE SCORE / SIDE GLUE
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