A memorial event for John Byrne held in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center at Oregon State University. Speakers at the event included Bill Robbins, Tuba Ozkan-Haller, Jo Anne Trow, Rachelle McCabe, Lloyd Wagenschutz, David Robinson (in absentia), and Trey Phillips; daughters Donna Byrne and Karen Byrne; and also Shirley Byrne, John's wife of more than 69 years.

John Byrne (1928-2024) made an indelible impact on Oregon State University through an association that spanned more than five decades. A trained geologist, Byrne arrived in Corvallis in 1960 as one of Oregon State College's first faculty members in Oceanography. Over time, Byrne assumed the chairmanship of the Oceanography Department and later became Dean of OSU's newly formed School of Oceanography. In 1976 Byrne moved into upper administration, first as Dean of Research and later as Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies. Following a three-year stint in Washington, D.C., where he served as head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Byrne returned to Corvallis as the twelfth President in OSU history. Byrne's presidency lasted from 1984-1995, a time period during which he did much to modernize university operations amidst a budget crisis caused by significant reductions in state funding for higher education.

This recording is a component of the History of Oregon State University Oral Histories and Sound Recordings (OH 003), Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries.