First Indian Am President appointed at Oregon State

Oregon State University announced on Tuesday that Jayathi Murthy will succeed Becky Johnson as the school’s 16th president effective Sept. 9. She is the first woman of color to do so and will lead Oregon’s largest public university.

Murthy, 64, is the first woman dean at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, according to an American Kahani article. She has served at the school since January 2016.

“Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion is a deeply held conviction of mind and is central to my work as an educator and administrator,” Murthy said in a university press release. “As an engineer, I have often been the only woman in the room since I was 16.”

Murthy said in the press release she was confident that OSU can be a national leader coming out of the pandemic. She plans to invest more in research infrastructure under her leadership.

In addition, Murthy said she will ensure that all OSU students will have “strong student support services” such as financial aid and advising.

The OSU board approved Murthy’s appointment unanimously.

“Dr. Murthy is the right person and leader to guide this remarkable university that is enjoying tremendous momentum,” OSU board chair Kirk Schueler said in the statement. “Under Dr. Murthy’s leadership, OSU’s incredible impact in Oregon, nationally and globally, and the university’s commitment and progress in advancing diversity, equity and inclusive excellence will grow.”

Murthy started her career working as an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Arizona State University. She then led the development of algorithms and software that still form the core of the company’s products at New Hampshire-based Fluent, Inc., according to American Kahani.

Murthy is a recipient of many honors, including the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award in 2016 and the ASME Electronics and Photonic Packaging Division Clock Award.

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