Dr. Charity Dean, who graduated cum laude from Oregon State University’s Honors College Class of 2000, has been selected to deliver this year's commencement address.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology at Oregon State with minors in chemistry and French. She went on to simultaneously achieve both a doctorate and a master's degree at Tulane University in 2005.
Jayathi Murthy, Oregon State's president, said about Dean, "we are honored that Dr. Dean will give OSU’s 2023 commencement address. She is passionate about public service and has dedicated her life’s work to public health. These are attributes that will inspire and motivate graduates as they begin their lives beyond OSU.”
Dr. Dean has held positions as assistant director of the California Department of Public Health, and previously as the public health officer for Santa Barbara County. She was an integral part of California's response to COVID, accelerating efforts to increase COVID testing in the state.
Currently she serves as the CEO of The Public Health Company, which she also founded.