Co-founder of A-dec Inc. is recognized for her exemplary service to the school
Joan Austin, co-founder of A-dec Inc. (one of the largest dental equipment manufacturers in the world), was awarded the Lifetime Trustee Award by the Oregon State University Foundation at an awards
ceremony in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on March 7, 2006.
The Lifetime Trustee Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated more than 12 years of outstanding service as a trustee of the OSU Foundation and has made significant financial contributions to benefit the university. Austin has served the OSU Foundation since the mid-seventies
and has served more than 26 years on the OSU Foundation Board, including terms as chair and treasurer.
"Joan Austin has provided steady leadership to the OSU Foundation," said Jim Rudd, chair of the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees. "Her personal dedication and significant contributions have helped elevate Oregon State University to new heights. I'm particularly impressed with how she
translated her personal experience as an entrepreneur and family business owner into top programs at OSU."
Joan Austin, with her husband Ken Austin, created both OSU's Austin Family Business Program, a flagship program that supports the unique needs of family businesses, and the Austin Entrepreneurship Program, an undergraduate business program that prepares students to launch their first business ventures.
Both Joan and her husband were inducted into the OSU College of Business Hall of Fame in 2003. Joan Austin has also served on the College of Engineering Technology Campaign Cabinet, the Thundering Seas Foundation Board and the 4-H Foundation Board. She received the OSU Alumni
Association Honorary Alumni Award in May 2005, and she and her husband together received the OSU Distinguished Service Award and the Presidents
Club Most Honored Member Award in 1983. In 1984, the March of Dimes honored her as one of the ten outstanding women in Oregon for her dedication to higher education.
In addition to her OSU activities, Joan Austin has also been active in many education, business and community groups including the Kennedy Center, Oregon Business Council, Providence Newberg Health Foundation, Linfield College, the Newberg school district and the Associated Oregon
Industries Center for Citizen Leadership, where she is a founding member.