For Dana,’90, and Keith, ’94, Hammer, Oregon State University is more than an alma mater — it is a family tradition and a community they continue to invest in. As multigenerational Beavers and parents of one Honors College alumnus and one current Honors College student, the Hammers see their involvement with the HC as a meaningful way to support students while giving back to programs that shaped both their own experiences and those of their children.
Dana and Keith are members of the HC Parent and Family Leadership Circle, where they have served since 2019. They have also contributed challenge gifts in support of the Honors College for Dam Proud Day, the annual OSU day of giving. Additionally, Dana and Keith have hosted new student meetups at their home in Seattle, Washington, providing opportunities for incoming students to create connections and build community before arriving on campus.
For Dana and Keith, getting engaged with the HC was a way to "get involved as parents of HC students and give back to worthwhile causes” as OSU alumni. The HC was “a big draw" for their kids to attend OSU, says Dana. Dana and Keith agree that the Honors College has enriched their daughters’ college experiences. "Our daughters have enjoyed taking interesting seminar courses, and their thesis projects have provided opportunities for learning and growth that have benefited their careers,” says Dana.
Dana and Keith say one of the most lasting impacts of the Honors College is the relationships students build along the way. Their oldest daughter, Delaney Hammer, ’24, studied biohealth sciences at OSU. Now in graduate school at Bastyr University working toward an M.S. in nutrition, she “has been in touch with Honors College staff and faculty members” she met during her time at OSU. “Seeing those connections continue after graduation really shows the value of the program,” says Keith.
“The HC fosters a more tight-knit community among students compared to the larger university environment at OSU. I think that has benefited our kids, and we want to support that for other students,” says Keith.
Through their involvement in the Honors College Parent and Family Leadership Circle, Dana and Keith have found a meaningful way to stay connected to the college and contribute to its ongoing growth. The PLC brings together Honors College families to share feedback, connect with one another and partner with college leadership to strengthen the honors family experience.
“The PLC brings you behind the scenes of the Honors College and helps you really see the benefits the program provides to students,” says Keith. “It’s been a good way for us to give back to a university that gave us so much through our academic and professional careers.”
Dana shares a similar perspective. "Getting to hear about HC programs firsthand and having conversations with college leadership has been meaningful and makes us feel more connected to what our kids are experiencing,” she says. “At a big university, with a lot going on, I think it's easy for parents to feel on the fringe. Being involved through the PLC creates a real sense of connection.”
Dana and Keith also emphasize the importance of financial support for Honors College students. For them, differential tuition scholarships are especially meaningful because they directly help students with financial need access the full Honors College experience. With 40% of HC students demonstrating financial need and more than 20% having high need, these scholarships are critical to ensuring students can join and remain in the Honors College.
“We’ve seen how transformational the Honors College can be,” says Dana. “Not every student has the means to take advantage of those opportunities, and that’s where support really matters. Helping even one student access the same experiences our daughters had is deeply meaningful to us. The Honors College enriches students academically and personally, and that foundation supports them in whatever future path they pursue. Knowing we can help make that possible for more students is what motivates our giving.”
If you would like to be more involved in supporting the honors community or would like to learn more about Honors College volunteer leadership groups or Dam Proud Day, please contact HC Director of Development Kellie Parker at [email protected].
