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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University will host a symposium on Tuesday, April 25, that will explore issues facing rural communities, including hunger, the creation of jobs and political isolation.

The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Leadership Center, is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the OSU Rural Studies Program, with support from the Sustainable Rural Communities Initiative.

Tom Gallagher, director of The Ford Institute for Community Building, will deliver the keynote address, "Vital Rural Communities and the University: Issues and Opportunities." In his talk, which begins at 3 p.m., Gallagher will summarize the critical issues facing rural Oregon communities and identify ways in which higher education institutions and communities can collaborate for mutual benefit.

Gallagher has both worked in rural areas and served on the faculty of OSU and the University of Alaska.

Setting up the keynote address will be a session beginning at 2 p.m. that features three rural Oregon leaders who will describe the unique challenges and issues facing their different communities - and how they see universities contributing. Speaking will be Gary Swanson, a civic leader from Mill City; Mary Stern, a Yamhill County commissioner; and Terry Tallman, a judge from Morrow County.

"This symposium will give OSU faculty, students and the public an opportunity to learn about some of the challenges of rural life, and some of the efforts by Oregon State University to address those issues," said Bruce Weber, director of OSU's Rural Studies Program. "It will also give them ideas about how their own work might contribute to OSU's rural efforts, and benefit from more involvement with rural communities."

The symposium begins at 11 a.m., when several students and faculty will present results of their research on food strategies of low-income rural people, rural health issues and local farm marketing.

The Sustainable Rural Communities Initiative, a statewide program to address the needs and challenges of Oregon's rural towns, is one of six OSU strategic initiatives designated for investment. OSU faculty provide ongoing research and analysis, allowing decision-makers to develop successful strategies to help rural communities overcome disadvantages that come with small size and geographic isolation.