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CORVALLIS - The Oregon State University Foundation has presented its Lifetime Trustee Award to Joan Austin of Newberg, who was honored at an awards banquet in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Tuesday (March 7).

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.

"Since the mid-1970s, 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."

Joan Austin, along with her husband, Ken, co-founded A-dec Inc. in 1964. For many years, Joan Austin has lent her leadership to OSU, serving more than 26 years on the OSU Foundation board, including terms as chair and treasurer.

"I'm particularly impressed with how she translated her personal experience as an entrepreneur and family business owner into top programs at OSU," Rudd added.

Austin and her husband were the force behind 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 Ken Austin were inducted into the 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 10 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.

Ken Austin graduated from OSU in 1953. Their children, G. Kenneth Austin, III and Loni Austin Parrish, are also graduates of OSU, as are their spouses. Their daughter-in-law, Celia, serves on the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees.