The alumni association was founded on Monday, Feb. 3, 1873, at a meeting held in President Benjamin Lee Arnold's office in the old Corvallis College building located downtown. Official approval for the group and the election of officers took place on June 18. The Association has been in continuous service since that time and is today the oldest organization on campus not directly related to academics. Based on its mission, vision and aspiration, OSUAA’s actions will be guided by four strategic initiatives that will drive annual operating plans, will be informed by market feedback from its constituents and will be tracked and measured for success around selected key indicators. The OSUAA will also adhere to the core values of respecting, informing, and involving alumni and friends of OSU.

The OSUAA Executive Committee and OSUAA staff will review this plan each fiscal year and will prepare and distribute a progress report. This plan is intended to be long-range; it is designed and written with flexibility that allows for adjustments and updating as necessary. A significant review of the plan will be conducted during the first six months of 2011.