The Oregon Potato Commission has provided Oregon State University Foundation a $168,000 check as part of a commitment of $500,000 to help fund an endowed professorship.

Commissioners presented the check on Nov. 17 to Dan Arp, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences; Russ Karow, head of the college's Department of Crop and Soil Sciences; and Sabah Randhawa, OSU provost and executive vice president.

The check represents the intent of the Oregon potato industry to contribute $500,000 to the foundation before 2017, according to a potato commission press release. The money, along with a provost endowed faculty match, will fund the perpetual endowment.

"This timely endowed professorship will ensure potato research, extension and education will continue at the university's College of Agricultural Science," said Bill Brewer, CEO of the commission.

--Mitch Lies