Freshman Jade Warner just finished a chemistry midterm, and is relaxing with a cup of coffee before she digs into some reading for a natural resources class. Jade is from Portland, went to high school at St. Mary\u2019s Academy, and applied to colleges across the nation before choosing Oregon State University \u2013 Cascades. She\u2019s interested in becoming a wildlife biologist, and OSU-Cascades’ location gave it an edge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big believer in applying what you learn, and this is the place to do that,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are many systems here \u2013 from high deserts to forests.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jade was also drawn to what she describes as an eco-friendly campus \u2013 where there is an emphasis on alternative transportation options, local food sourcing, and low-energy buildings.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a busy first month \u2013 Jade is taking 18 credits and is in the Honors College at OSU-Cascades. The Honors College awards OSU\u2019s most prestigious undergraduate degree, the Honors Baccalaureate. She will compete honors coursework and over the course of four years she will design, research, write and defend a thesis in a topic of her choosing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like the small community here with the big OSU resources,\u201d said Jade.<\/p>\n
Jade moved into the residence hall in September and has become fast friends with her roommate from Reedsport, Oregon. She spends her free time exploring Central Oregon \u2013 she\u2019s hiked Smith Rock, spent time in Sunriver and is ready to use her season pass to Mt. Bachelor.<\/p>\n
Jade has discovered the farmer\u2019s market, and recently picked up some rainbow chard to make pasta dinner for her friends using the communal kitchen in the residence hall. They’ve also created a theater for movie night using a sheet and projector. It already feels like home, with a lot more studying.<\/p>\n