{"id":430,"date":"2017-03-10T01:25:13","date_gmt":"2017-03-10T09:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=430"},"modified":"2025-02-05T06:34:06","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T14:34:06","slug":"orman-morton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/orman-morton\/","title":{"rendered":"Proving his mettle"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Orman

Hit hard by the economic downturn of recent years, Orman Morton III says he\u00a0regained control of his\u00a0life by\u00a0earning\u00a0a degree online through Oregon State Ecampus and landing a job as an environmental scientist at Brightwater, Inc., in the Baltimore area.<\/p><\/div>\n

Steel mill’s closure\u00a0leads environmental sciences graduate\u00a0to a new\u00a0future<\/h2>\n

By Tyler Hansen<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Two hours before he walked across a stage to accept his Oregon State University diploma, Orman Morton III was asked to reflect on what the feat meant to him.<\/p>\n

The question caught him off guard. His eyes welled up. His booming voice quivered.<\/p>\n

In that moment, the events of the years leading to his graduation raced through his mind.<\/p>\n

The Baltimore steel mill where he\u2019d worked for 10 years had been shut down, bankrupt, a casualty of the economic recession. The stability in Orman\u2019s life vanished, and the recovery was not quick.<\/p>\n

For the next four years, he was unemployed. In order to provide a better life for his three children at home, Orman needed to reinvent himself. His approach was unconventional, and it was emotionally draining.<\/p>\n

What sustained him was the family support he received in Baltimore and the strong sense of community he found on the other side of the country at Oregon State.
\n<\/p>\n

\n
\"Orman\"Play\"<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

As an unemployed father of three, Orman Morton III needed a path forward. He found it while learning online with OSU and\u00a0living 2,400 miles away in Baltimore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Orman enrolled online with OSU Ecampus in its\u00a0environmental sciences bachelor\u2019s degree program<\/a>. As a Native American in the Penobscot Nation, the program suited him perfectly\u00a0and gave him a way to satisfy a long-held desire to build a career in environmental sciences.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy whole life has revolved around the environment, around fish and wildlife,\u201d Orman says. \u201cIt\u2019s a part of who (Penobscots) are and a fabric of our culture. It\u2019s what identifies us, and it\u2019s just an obsession I\u2019ve always had.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite being 2,400 miles away from Oregon State\u2019s Corvallis campus, Orman became involved in OSU\u2019s indigenous student community through the Kaku-Ixt Mana Ina Haws<\/a>. He became a member, established personal connections and took part in virtual events where he could\u00a0interact with others on the opposite coast.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Native American community (at OSU) is very proactive. Even as an Ecampus student, you get treated with the same perks and opportunities that the campus students do,\u201d he says. \u201cThat was very important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was another layer of a robust support system that propped Orman up whenever he wavered as a student. His sister-in-law, brother and mom all helped care for his kids while he studied and took tests at night.<\/p>\n

He found volunteer work with Maryland\u2019s Department of Natural Resources, analyzing the fish population and water quality in Chesapeake Bay. And when his son needed help with his AP high school environmental sciences coursework, Orman was happy to be a tutor.<\/p>\n

These are the images and memories that passed through Orman\u2019s mind when he was asked to measure\u00a0the magnitude of the moment at OSU\u2019s commencement last June.<\/p>\n

He fought back tears when he said that his family contorted itself to work around his academic schedule and his priorities for three years. He squeezed his kids\u2019 swim lessons and soccer practices and baseball games in between his studies.<\/p>\n

But the hard work, as expected, was worth it. Orman\u2019s Oregon State degree helped him earn a position as an environmental scientist for a firm in Maryland \u2013 Brightwater, Inc.<\/a> \u2013 that does stream restoration and design, wetland delineation and environmental monitoring.<\/p>\n

It took him losing his job to land the one he\u2019d always wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOregon State gave me the opportunity to put myself back into a position to provide for my children,\u201d Orman says.\u00a0\u201cI will always be indebted to this institution for accepting me in a time when this degree offered me the only opportunity to regain control of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span> 3<\/span> minute read<\/span><\/span>Two hours before he walked across a stage to accept his Oregon State University diploma, Orman Morton III was asked to reflect on what the feat meant to him. The question caught him off guard. His eyes welled up. His booming voice quivered. In that moment, the events of the years leading to his graduation raced through his mind, and the accomplishment overwhelmed him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[673],"tags":[638,146,470],"class_list":["post-430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archives","tag-conservation-and-natural-sciences","tag-environmental-sciences","tag-tribal-communities"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OrmanMorton33-web-news.jpg?fit=638%2C425&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-6W","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1048,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/environmental-sciences-online-alum-finds-support-with-on-campus-native-community\/","url_meta":{"origin":430,"position":0},"title":"Environmental sciences online alum finds support, family with on-campus Native community","author":"Heather Doherty","date":"October 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Orman Morton III felt at home at OSU's Kaku-Ixt Mana Ina Haws, building on the virtual connections he had made with the university\u2019s indigenous community as an online student.","rel":"","context":"In "Archives"","block_context":{"text":"Archives","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/archives\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Orman hugs a Native elder whom he met at the Oregon State University Native American Longhouse Eena Haws.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Orman-Morton.jpg?fit=744%2C478&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Orman-Morton.jpg?fit=744%2C478&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Orman-Morton.jpg?fit=744%2C478&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Orman-Morton.jpg?fit=744%2C478&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1191,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/native-american-online-degree-support\/","url_meta":{"origin":430,"position":1},"title":"Oregon State offering enhanced support services to help Native American students earn degrees online","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"May 21, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University is increasing its outreach to Native American communities in Oregon and across the country by enabling tribal members to earn college degrees through OSU\u2019s nationally ranked online programs. The new initiative is a partnership between Oregon State Ecampus \u2013 the university\u2019s renowned online education provider \u2013 and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Native American drum and drumbeaters","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/native-drum-web.jpg?fit=744%2C503&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/native-drum-web.jpg?fit=744%2C503&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/native-drum-web.jpg?fit=744%2C503&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/native-drum-web.jpg?fit=744%2C503&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2738,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/esteban-contreras-upcea-student-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":430,"position":2},"title":"Student’s sacrifices lead to a ‘deeply rewarding’ experience \u2014\u00a0and a national award","author":"Esteban Contreras","date":"March 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Family support, perseverance and student club engagement have helped Esteban Contreras thrive while pursuing his environmental sciences degree online Editor's note: In March 2025, Oregon State University's Esteban Contreras received the outstanding student national award from UPCEA in honor of his achievement of excellence in pursuit of an education. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Oregon State University student Esteban Contreras stands with his wife and two young children on a wooden walkway surrounded by tall, green foliage.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Esteban-Contreras-ENSC-800x450-2.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Esteban-Contreras-ENSC-800x450-2.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Esteban-Contreras-ENSC-800x450-2.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Esteban-Contreras-ENSC-800x450-2.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":303,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/americas-natural-resources-university-oregon-state-university\/","url_meta":{"origin":430,"position":3},"title":"America’s natural resources university | Oregon State University","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"May 10, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University is America's natural resources university, where our world-class faculty and forward-thinking students work collaboratively to protect our planet and help it thrive. And now you can join the cause by earning your Oregon State degree online. OSU Ecampus is a national leader in online education, delivering a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives"","block_context":{"text":"Archives","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/archives\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A hiker stands on a dry, rocky terrain looking out into the distance.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/anru-home.jpg?fit=658%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/anru-home.jpg?fit=658%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/anru-home.jpg?fit=658%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2051,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/osu-everywhere-matt-bowling\/","url_meta":{"origin":430,"position":4},"title":"Oregon State Everywhere: ‘Education is an investment in yourself, and you are worth it’","author":"Matt Bowling","date":"July 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Here's my advice to anyone who is considering going back to school: Go for it! There is no better time than now. ... Education is an investment in yourself, and you are worth it. OSU Ecampus was user-friendly, with great support.\" \u2014 Matt Bowling, Oregon State Ecampus graduate","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Matthew-Bowling-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Matthew-Bowling-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Matthew-Bowling-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Matthew-Bowling-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2977,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/job-shadow-lily-vanwingerden\/","url_meta":{"origin":430,"position":5},"title":"Six hours. One job shadow. Dozens of career paths.","author":"Jennifer Rouse","date":"March 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Lily VanWingerden signed up for\u00a0Oregon State University\u2019s summer Job Shadow Program expecting a 30-minute Zoom call. Instead, she walked away from a full day of friendly virtual conversations that reshaped the way she thought about environmental sciences careers.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Oregon State University student Lily VanWingerden stands outdoors in a sandy coastal environment, with scattered grasses and shells nearby.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Lily-Vanwingerden-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Lily-Vanwingerden-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Lily-Vanwingerden-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Lily-Vanwingerden-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=430"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}