Mercedes Bates at the Alumni Centennial Awards. Mercedes Bates graduated in 1936 with a degree in Food and Nutrition. In 1967, Bates was appointed the Vice President of the General Mills Betty Crocker Division, becoming the first female corporate officer of General Mills. Bates created the Mercedes A. Bates Family Study Center in 1992, the first center to study entire lifespans of families. Bates has received the Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Alumni Award.
Munford '34 was the first director of the OSU Press. J. Kenneth Munford received a degree in Education in 1934 from Oregon State College. From 1939-1941, Munford was an instructor for the English Department. In 1948, Munford became an editor for the Office of Publications, later being promoted to Director of Publications in 1956. Munford helped lead the founding of OSU Press in 1961.