The Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) is a public college in Oregon with a residential campus in Klamath Falls, Oregon, an urban campus in Wilsonville, Oregon, and additional locations in Salem and Seattle. Almost all students complete externships, co-ops, or other hands-on training inside and outside the classroom. In 1953, Associate degree programs in Surveying and Structural Engineering Technologies were first accredited by the Engineers Council for Professional Development.

In 1954, KTEC, the institution's first radio station went on air. By 1953, associate degree programs in the Surveying and Structural Engineering Technologies were first accredited by the Engineers Council for Professional Development. Not long after in 1956, KOTI television opened on campus. However, KOTI is no longer operated on campus. In 1962, the institute was accredited by the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools. In 1970, the first bachelor's degree programs were accredited by ABET. It would be 25 years later when the first master's degrees were offered. In 1975, the first Geo-Heat Center was established.

The campus was transferred to its current location in 1964, followed by another name change to the Oregon Institute of Technology in 1973. In 2012, the Oregon Institute of Technology officially rebranded to "Oregon Tech". Oregon Tech's four locations in the Portland metropolitan area were consolidated into a single campus in Wilsonville in 2012 at InFocus' former headquarters. By 2015, the Oregon Institute of Technology became an independent public body governed by Board of Trustees.

On April 26, 2021, the faculty went on strike after more than 500 days of initial contract negotiations between the faculty union and administrators. This was the first strike conducted by a public college or university faculty union in Oregon's history.

Campuses

  • Oregon Tech Klamath Falls, the University Residential Campus
  • Oregon Tech Wilsonville, the University Urban Campus

thumb|Klamath Falls campus in 2014

{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"

|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023

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! Race and ethnicity

! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total

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| White

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| Hispanic

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| Two or more races

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| Asian

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| Black

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| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

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| American Indian/Alaska Native

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| International student

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| Unknown

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! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |Economic diversity

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| Low-income

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| Affluent

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Athletics

The Oregon Tech (OIT) athletic teams are called the Owls and Lady Owls (sometimes known as the "Hustlin' Owls"). The institute of technology is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) since the 1993–94 academic year.

Oregon Tech competes in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.

The mascot for Oregon Tech Athletics is Hootie the Owl.

Rivalries

Oregon Tech's traditional athletic nemesis is Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. The close proximity of the schools and alternate academic foci (science and technology at Oregon Tech, liberal arts at SOU) result in a natural rivalry between the two.

Men's basketball

OIT has won multiple NAIA Men's Basketball Championships. Former men's basketball coach Danny Miles completed his 1,000th win February 1, 2014, in his 43rd year of coaching at OIT. This is the fourth most of any men's college basketball coach all-time (NCAA & NAIA).

Softball

OIT's softball program won the NAIA Softball Championship in 2011. OIT was the national runner up in the NAIA Softball Championship in 2021.

thumb|Oregon Tech mascot, "Hootie", waves the team flag during player intros at a home game at Danny Miles Court in Klamath Falls, OR.

Mascot

Oregon Tech's mascot, Hootie the Hustlin' Owl, is a great horned owl and has been portrayed as a costumed character since 1980. He sports the jersey number 47 as an homage to the school's founding year.

Known originally as "OIT OWL", he first hatched out of a giant papier mâché egg during a home football game. Hootie's other alias was "OWLY OOP" in the 1990s amidst the loss of the school's football team, in an attempt to further emphasize their basketball program.

The beloved owl mascot was created by executive secretary Nancy Cox, inspired by the San Diego Chicken after attending a Padres game in 1980 and proceeding previous attempts at an official school mascot such as a rally head in the 1960s named "OTIS" and a live owl.

Notable stunts include skydiving, ziplining, basketball trick shots, and various feats of acrobatics and professional dancing abilities. Performed by actress Brooke Eldridge (2021–2025), as featured on ABC Nightline News.

Accolades:

• CCC Mascot of the Year 2014, 2018

• Mascot Training Camp Champion 2023

• Mascot Hall of Fame Awards Nominee 2023 (best video skit, most community impact)

Notable alumni

  • Benny Agbayani, professional baseball player
  • Joe Cain, professional football player
  • Tim Freeman, Oregon House of Representatives
  • Ty Knott, professional football coach
  • Wayne Krieger, Oregon House of Representatives and Oregon State Police
  • Nate Lewis, professional football player
  • Doug Mikolas, professional football player
  • Justin Parnell, college basketball coach
  • Don Summers, professional football player

<gallery>

File:Oregon Tech old campus.jpg|The old Oregon Tech campus

File:Oregon Tech in winter 3.jpg|Winter Jan. 2024

File:Oregon Institute of Technology.jpg|The OIT hillside monogram

File:Oregon Tech Wilsonville Outside.jpg|Oregon Tech Wilsonville

File:Oregon Tech Formula Car.JPG|Oregon Tech SAE Formula car

File:Oregon Tech Fall term.jpg|Oregon Tech in Fall season

</gallery>

Notes

References

  • Athletics website