Longtime Oregon State University vice president for university relations and marketing Steve Clark will be leaving the university at the end of the week, having announced his retirement last December.
Clark has been with the university since 2011. His department includes a staff of about 65 employees engaged in university marketing, news and research communications, videography productions, university events, trademark licensing, public records, printing and mailing services, conference services and managing the LaSells Stewart Center located on OSU’s Corvallis campus.
A 1975 Oregon State graduate, Clark’s student years included a stint as the Daily Barometer’s editor-in-chief. Prior to working at the university, Clark served as the president and publisher of the Portland Tribune and metro-area Community Newspapers Inc. and spent the early years of his career reporting, editing, publishing and owning newspapers throughout the Portland region.
So, Who’s Slated for Clark’s Role: His name is Rob Odom, and he has almost 20 years of marketing and communications experience in higher education and health care. He starts his role as vice president of university relations and marketing at Oregon State University on July 1.
Odom has been serving as chief marketing and communications officer and vice president for Duke University Health System, a $4.5 billion health system. He had been leading a team of 61 marketing and communications employees.
“I am honored and excited to collaborate with faculty, students, staff, alumni and community members to tell the OSU story and share the unique ways in which the university is meeting today’s challenges and improving lives in Oregon, nationally and globally,” Odom said. “In a time when so much is changing – technology, the economy, climate, culture – OSU’s research, teaching and Extension missions are more relevant and vital than ever.”
Odom arrived at Duke in July 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He helped lead the organization’s response to the pandemic and recommitment to social justice and health equity. He co-chaired Duke University’s Racial Equity Advisory Council Communications Subcommittee and led the communications strategy for Duke Health’s Moments to Movement anti-racism campaign.
Prior to joining Duke, Odom served as vice president of marketing and brand management at University of California San Francisco Health. Before UCSF, he was engaged in marketing and communications within Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Providence Health & Services in Oregon.
“Rob is known for building and bridging teams within large complex organizations, promoting collaboration, and improving marketing and communications effectiveness,” said Oregon State President Jayathi Murthy. “His collaborative and inclusive leadership style and significant marketing experience will serve him well at Oregon State.”
Odom began his career in book and magazine publishing where he collaborated with dozens of writers, designers, illustrators and photographers on award-winning and commercially successful fiction and nonfiction publications. He earned a master’s degree in English from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Duke University.
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