Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families



Auspicious Day Marks Launch of Hallie Ford Center

The Memorial Union bells chimed at 9:09 a.m. on September 9, 2009, as OSU launched the Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families, a new research initiative focused on the human lifespan, with a special emphasis on the physical, mental, and behavioral health of children. The center was made possible by a generous $8 million gift from the late philanthropist Hallie Ford, and is part of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

In the ceremony, President Ed Ray noted that the center will bring new focus to one of the three signature areas in the university's strategic plan, Improving Human Health and Wellness.

"Yet the most important contribution of the Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families is to marry the spirit and memory of an extraordinary woman to educating and inspiring countless students who will leave OSU ready to resolve critical challenges facing human health," he said. "Their determination, skill, and odds of success will be dramatically increased because of the generosity — and the spirit — of Hallie Ford."

Special guests included Mrs. Ford's children, Carmen Ford Phillips and Allyn Ford, and several grandchildren. The launch ceremony was followed by a symposium highlighting faculty research on children and families.

Learn more about the Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families:

  • Launch opening remarks by Tammy Bray, Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences
  • Hallie Ford's $8 million gift
  • Launch symposium video
  • Oregon Stater article (PDF)
  • The center has four research cores: Healthy Development in Early Childhood; Risky and Protective Behaviors and Environments for Youth; Obesity Prevention in Children and Families; and Vulnerable Children and Families.
  • The physical building that will house the bulk of the work of the Hallie Ford Center will be completed in 2011.
  • The Sept. 9, 2009, launch date was chosen by Dean Bray because nine is an auspicious number in Chinese numerology that signifies change and transformation.

 

© OSU Foundation | 850 SW 35th St. | Corvallis, Oregon 97333| 541-737-4218 | 541-737-0498 fax

Oregon State University | OSU Foundation