COMES Founders Scholarship

The Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) – A Coastal Community Laboratory Working to Benefit Oregon, the Nation, and The World

COMES, the largest applied marine research group in Oregon, works closely with the fishing/seafood industry, coastal communities, and management agencies to increase benefits from utilizing and conserving West Coast marine resources. COMES’ signature collaborative programs have included:

  • The Pacific Whiting Project
  • Molluscan Broodstock Program
  • Marine Mammal Program (now Institute)
  • Community Seafood Initiative
  • Surimi School
  • Salmon Ecology Initiative
  • Project CROOS (Collaborative Research on Oregon Ocean Salmon)
  • Better Seafood Processing School

Since its founding in 1989, COMES research has generated more than $150 million in economic impacts and produced hundreds of jobs for Oregon and Pacific Northwest coastal communities.

The COMES Founders Scholarship is an endowed scholarship honoring the four visionary men who understood that the future of industry, and in fact the way of life embraced by coastal residents, depended on the creation of a marine experiment station. This station was designed to conduct collaborative research on topics of vital concern to industry and community, to nurture future industry and marine science leaders, and to continue to bolster the economy of coastal Oregon.

We invite you to honor the late Dr. Lavern Weber (former Director of Hatfield Marine Science Center), the late Capt. Barry Fisher (“Dean of West Coast Groundfishing” and former Professor of Fisheries at Oregon State University), Terry Thompson (fisherman, state legislator, county commissioner), and the late Joe Easley, (fisherman, PFMC Councilman, and Director of Oregon’s Trawl Commission) by giving to the COMES Founders Scholarship.

Supporting students who contribute to coastal communities and marine science

The COMES Founders Scholarship will support OSU juniors and seniors who are doing a capstone project or internship at Hatfield Marine Science Center, the OSU Seafood Lab, or with another organization or coastal agency consistent with the COMES mission and goals. Reaching the minimum goal ($180,000) for the fund will make it possible to provide two annual scholarships of $4,000 each.

Janet Webster, former HMSC Librarian, believed so strongly in the importance of this scholarship that she donated $25,000 to establish the fund. Now it is up to you to help us reach our goal, ensuring that the COMES Founders Scholarship is available to support future industry and marine science leaders.

We hope that you will consider making a gift toward establishing this important scholarship.

Checks should be addressed to “OSU Foundation” with “COMES Founders Scholarship” written on the memo line. Send to: OSU Foundation, 850 SW 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97333. Online gifts may be made by clicking the button to the right.

For information on other giving options, such as giving appreciated securities or donating property, please contact Amy Crumley, Senior Director of Development (541-737-7181 or Amy.Crumley@osufoundation.org) or Alexis Eichler, Assistant Director of Development, College of Agricultural Sciences (541-737-1444 or alexis.eichler@osufoundation.org).

Your gift will honor the founders of COMES and strengthen the future of Oregon’s coastal communities. Thank you for your consideration.