Award Year
Graduation Year
Department
Award Category
Biography
Ken Austin is the founder of Austin Dental Equipment Company (A-dec). Ken and his wife Joan's efforts have led the company from a tiny quonset hut and a staff of two to the nation's largest manufacturer of dental equipment and related products. Among the many honors A-dec has received are: Oregon's International Marketing Firm of the Year (1979), Employer of the Year Award from the Governor's Committee on the Handicapped (1980), and Oregon Industries Business Leader of the Year (1981). Ken and Joan were the first couple to receive OSU's highest recognition--The Distinguished Service Award. Among Ken and Joan's many contributions to the College of Engineering is their establishment of the Austin-Paul Award for recognizing faculty who provide outstanding service to students.