Oregon Institute of Technology facts for kids
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Former names
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Oregon Vocational School (1947–1948) Oregon Technical Institute (1948–1973) |
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| Motto | Per cognitionem, lux (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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"Through knowledge, light" |
| Type | Public college |
| Established | July 14, 1947 |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $23.5 million (2015) |
| President | Nagi Naganathan |
| Provost | Joanna Mott |
| Students | 5,490 (2017) |
| Location |
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United States
42°15′22″N 121°47′06″W / 42.256°N 121.785°W |
| Campus | Remote town, 305 acres (1.23 km2) |
| Other campuses | |
| Newspaper | The Edge |
| Colors | Blue and gold |
| Nickname |
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Sporting affiliations
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NAIA – Cascade |
| Mascot | Hootie the Owl |
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The Oregon Institute of Technology (often called Oregon Tech) is a public college in Oregon. It has a main campus in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and another big campus in Wilsonville, Oregon. You can also find smaller locations in Salem and Seattle. Most students at Oregon Tech get hands-on experience through internships or special training. This helps them learn practical skills for their future jobs.
Contents
History of Oregon Tech
Oregon Tech started on July 15, 1947. It was first called the Oregon Vocational School. Its main goal was to train and re-educate soldiers returning from World War II. The first classes were held in an old Marine Corps hospital near Klamath Falls.
Early Years and Name Changes
The school's name changed to the Oregon Technical Institute the next year. In its first year, almost all students (98%) were veterans. By 1950, about 75% of students were veterans. The school also helped train soldiers during the Korean War. In 1953, some of its engineering programs became officially recognized.
In 1954, the school got its first radio station, KTEC. A TV station, KOTI, also opened on campus in 1956, but it's not there anymore. In 1962, the school received important accreditation, meaning it met high educational standards. The first bachelor's degrees were offered in 1970. Master's degrees came 25 years later.
Moving and Modernizing
The main campus moved to its current spot in 1964. In 1973, the school's name changed again to the Oregon Institute of Technology. Then, in 2012, it officially started using the shorter name "Oregon Tech".
Also in 2012, all of Oregon Tech's locations in the Portland metropolitan area moved into one big campus in Wilsonville. By 2015, Oregon Tech became an independent public body. This means it is now run by its own Board of Trustees.
In 2021, the teachers at Oregon Tech had a disagreement with the school's leaders. This led to the first time teachers at a public college in Oregon went on strike.
Oregon Tech Campuses
Oregon Tech has several places where students can learn:
- Oregon Tech Klamath Falls: This is the main campus where many students live.
- Oregon Tech Wilsonville: This campus is in a city area.
Athletics at Oregon Tech
The sports teams at Oregon Tech are called the Owls and Lady Owls. Sometimes they are known as the "Hustlin' Owls". Oregon Tech is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They mostly compete in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC).
Oregon Tech has 13 different sports teams. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track & field. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field, and volleyball.
Hootie the Owl: The Mascot
The mascot for Oregon Tech's sports teams is Hootie the Owl. Hootie is a very important symbol for many students.
Sports Rivalries
Oregon Tech has a big sports rivalry with Southern Oregon University. This school is in Ashland, Oregon, which is nearby. Because the schools are close and focus on different subjects (Oregon Tech on science, Southern Oregon on liberal arts), they have a natural competition.
Men's Basketball Success
Oregon Tech's men's basketball team has won several national championships in the NAIA. Their former coach, Danny Miles, won his 1,000th game in 2014. He coached at Oregon Tech for 43 years! This is one of the highest win totals for any men's college basketball coach ever.
Softball Championship
The Oregon Tech softball team also won the NAIA Softball Championship in 2011.
Hootie the Hustlin' Owl History
Hootie the Hustlin' Owl has been a costumed mascot since 1980. He first appeared from a giant paper egg during a football game. In the 1990s, Hootie was also known as "OWLY OOP."
Nancy Cox, an executive secretary, created and first played Hootie. She was inspired by the San Diego Chicken mascot. Before Hootie, the school tried other mascots, like a rally head named "OTIS" and even a live owl.
Hootie is known for exciting stunts. These include skydiving, ziplining, and amazing basketball throws. Hootie also shows off great acrobatics and dancing skills.
Hootie's Awards
- CCC Mascot of the Year: 2014, 2018
- Mascot Training Camp Champion: 2023
- Mascot Hall of Fame Awards Nominee: 2023 (for best video skit and community impact)
Notable Alumni
Many successful people have graduated from Oregon Tech. Here are a few:
- Benny Agbayani: A professional baseball player.
- Joe Cain: A professional football player.
- Tim Freeman: A member of the Oregon House of Representatives.
- Ty Knott: A professional football coach.
- Wayne Krieger: A former member of the Oregon House of Representatives and Oregon State Police.
- Nate Lewis: A professional football player.
- Doug Mikolas: A professional football player.
- Justin Parnell: A college basketball coach.
- Don Summers: A professional football player.
Images for kids
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The old Oregon Tech campus
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Oregon Tech in January 2024
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The OIT hillside monogram
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The Oregon Tech Wilsonville campus
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An Oregon Tech SAE Formula car
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Oregon Tech in the Fall season
