Enhance your College of Engineering Experience in the Oregon State University Honors College
Honors Alumni Parker Conrad, ’24, and Frederick Boulton, ’24, Start Sustainable Surfboard Company
Recent OSU Honors College alumni Parker Conrad, ’24 (H.B.S., computer science), and Frederick Boulton, ’24 (H.B.S., mechanical engineering), didn’t expect to start a company when they first met, but their shared love of surfing — and a realization about the industry’s environmental impact — led them to launch Buni Boards. Their startup is challenging traditional surfboard production by using plant-based resin and responsibly sourced foam to create high-performance, eco-friendly boards.
At Oregon State, the Honors College offers a chance to take your College of Engineering journey even further. The Honors College builds skills, connections and confidence through interdisciplinary classes exploring big problems, the opportunity to develop an original project and a prestigious degree.
Here’s a few ways it can benefit you:
- Take honors courses that emphasize collaboration and hands-on learning.
- Build your network through faculty mentorship, alumni connections and honors community events.
- Complete an honors thesis that showcases your original work and strengthens project development and communication skills.
- Graduate with an Honors Baccalaureate Degree — Oregon State University’s highest undergraduate distinction.
The deadline to apply to the Honors College is Feb 1, but you can apply today! Visit your Beaver Basecamp portal and fill out the Honors College application form. You can also learn more about what the Honors College offers and send questions to [email protected].
The honors thesis is an opportunity to develop an original project in an area you are passionate about.
Recent thesis topics completed by College of Engineering Honors College graduates:
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Hilary Chaimov — Class of 2021, thesis topic: Sustainability of Concrete in the Pacific Northwest
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Alana Callas — Class of 2024, thesis topic: Mapping Vulnerability: The Importance of Socio‑Economic Features in Predicting Wildfire Risk in Central Oregon
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Lily Varon — Class of 2024, thesis topic: The Impact of Correlated Color Temperature and Uplight/Downlight Photometric Distribution on Biological Potency and Visual Comfort in Indoor Lighting Design
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Joseph Biever — Class of 2021, thesis topic: Alternate Methods for the Extraction and Measurement of Pore Solution in Fresh Concrete
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Allison Thompson — Class of 2023, thesis topic: Interactive Visualization of Douglas Fir Forest Growth Using 3‑PG
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Aidan Beery — Class of 2023, thesis topic: Predicting Music Emotion with Social Media Discourse
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Allison Martz — Class of 2022, thesis topic: Identification of Barriers to Industrial Energy Efficiency Improvement in the Pacific Northwest
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Paula Coto — Class of 2023, thesis topic: Systemic Barriers of Latinas in Engineering
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Zoe Morrison — Class of 2023, thesis topic: The Impact of Powered Mobility Use on Expressive Communication Development of Young Children with Disabilities
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Samantha Hsu — Class of 2023, thesis topic: The Effect of Disruption Propagation on Inventory Control in Distribution Supply Chain Systems
The thesis can include research, product development, innovation and more, including interdisciplinary topics or projects outside of your major. Whatever your goals, the thesis will put you in a position to take them to the next level.
Alumni Highlight
Derek used his honors thesis to examine vulnerabilities in how websites validate domain ownership for secure certificate issuance.
“The Honors College is definitely the reason I’m where I am today. It pushed me to think more critically, connect with faculty and dive into research — it’s completely shaped the direction of my academic journey.”
Derek Greene, Computer Science
