The program was established in 1985, just the second of its type in the nation. The Austins founded A-dec, a dental equipment company, in 1964. In addition to the family business program, they were strong supporters of various OSU programs and projects, including the LaSells Stewart Center; the Valley Library; the Austin Entrepreneurship Program; and the new home of the College of Business, Austin Hall.
Left to right: Les Risser, George Brown, Stub Stewart, Jack Walstad, OSU President Paul Risser, John Walstad and Donald Parker. Paul G. Risser was president of Oregon State University from 1996-2002. During Risser's years as president, the university experienced a record high in student enrollment.
Dedication of the Austin Family Business Program. President John Byrne, Dean Donald F. Parker, Pat Frishkoff- Director of OSU's Austin Family Business Program, and John Ward (Loyola University of Chicago) with the Austin Family.