Be Good. Be Orange.

By Alexa Chappell

This ideal, Be Orange, isn’t just a color you call yourself, it’s a set of morals that students at Oregon State should want to take part in. These morals and ideals help our university to better itself and be shown in a positive light. When I think of Oregon State, I think of what it means to have pride. Proud of the obstacles you’ve cleared to get to OSU, the late nights you’ve stayed up studying in order to stay here and the degree you’ve earned in order to graduate. When I think of Oregon State and what it means to Be Orange, I think of the improvements this school has made on my life academically and socially, as well as accountability, and how it is a necessary contribution to a community like Oregon State. When graduation rounds the corner my senior year here, I will be waiting with open arms, proud of my accomplishments and improvements, ready to start the next chapter of my life.

It’s obvious that everyone is going to have their own ideas and perspectives of what it means to Be Orange and different views on what a degree should represent. A few of my friends said that when they thought about Be Orange, they thought of tradition and how their family and relatives are alumni of OSU. Another friend also said that when they think of Be Orange, they think of commitment and dedication, the drive it takes in order to makes things happen for yourself when you didn’t even know what you were working towards in the first place. I agree with both of these meanings for Be Orange; however they don’t fully apply to me. Everyone will have their own ideas of what it means to Be Orange because different people have different perspectives of what moral ideals they take part it.

At the beginning of PHL 205, I was unsure of what the outcome of the class was going to look like. Although, after putting in time and effort, I was able to accomplish what was needed to be done and soon began to grasp the concepts we had been learning in class. This in a way can be related to the accomplishments that can be made at Oregon State. A lot of the time, myself as an example, students come to college not knowing what they want to do with their future, but with a little time and effort put forth, you soon find out what areas fit your interests and how you can use those interests to make your future brighter than it was before.

It’s hard to decipher who all Be Orange can apply to. I think that it can be applied to anyone who has ever been a student or employee of Oregon State University. This includes current students, alumni, professors, advisors, coaches and even the janitorial staff. Anyone who has put time, energy and effort into Oregon State University should be able to consider themselves Orange. I could see where some people might consider themselves Orange if they grew up around Oregon State, whether that means locally living in Corvallis or constantly being surrounded by relatives and family members who raise you to Be Orange and encourage you to attend this college when you’re of age. It’s an honor to call yourself Orange and anyone who chooses to use this as their title should do it with pride. I believe that if someone wants to Be Orange and show their pride for Oregon State in a positive light, they should be able to do that regardless of where/if they’re in college or how much time they put in to this school.  Those who take on the title of “Orange” should show their pride and represent Oregon State University with responsibility and a sense of community. Beaver Nation should be meant for everyone who represents OSU to come together as one and show pride and support for everything this school has to offer; not only in athletics, but in academics and the community as well.

Being a member of Oregon State has shown me what accountability means and how without it, there would be no improvements made. If there were no improvements being made, it would be difficult to be proud of any accomplishments. Being Orange helps show students and others at Oregon State what building blocks are needed in order to succeed. These building blocks are not the same for each person who steps foot on this campus. Being Orange can be altered to mean whatever it takes for you to become a better person and help yourself, and also the university, grow as a whole. If we all were living an Orange lifestyle, we would be able to create the strongest Beaver Nation that Oregon has ever seen. Take pride in everything you’ve gained so far at Oregon State University. Be Proud. Be Orange.