A Life of Inspiration and Motivation

The life of Craig Ostbo '15 has followed a unique and inspired path.

Early on, Craig set aside a traditional undergraduate experience and instead picked up his guitar and hit the road to tour with his band as a professional musician.

After playing clubs in LA six nights a week, Craig's interests led him to the studio, recording for Donna Summers and the Monkees. Shortly after, he decided he eventually wanted to own his studio, and his interests turned to marketing and branding.

Continually motivated, Craig has followed his passions and intentionally advanced his career.

When the time came to go back to school, Craig obtained a degree in international business from Linfield through the Online and Continuing Education program in 2015.

"Until Linfield, I was not aware of the pure inspiration and motivation that life-long education provides. I was under the mistaken idea that a piece of paper [a degree] was a validation of my worthiness in others' eyes, as opposed to knowledge itself being a massive motivator to the brain that resides behind my own eyes."

With such passion and experience fueling his degree, he has given back in spades to the community and Linfield.

In addition to helping students with career development, Craig serves on the Business Advisory Council, providing strategic direction, advocacy and development for the institution's business programs.

Fast forward, Craig is now the CEO of Oh! Strategic Branding (formerly Koopman Ostbo) in Portland, Oregon, with more than 30 years of branding and marketing experience in the category of natural, organic and sustainable food and beverage consumer products.

In his work, Craig has provided direction for an extensive line of well-known brands such as Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods and Kroger's Naturally Preferred Brand. He also speaks at numerous conferences, teaches seminars on export on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce and is an adjunct professor at Portland State University.

As a result of his generosity of spirit, time and talents to Linfield, Craig Ostbo '15 receives the Linfield Service Award.

When speaking of why he is inspired to share so much of his time and talents with Linfield, he notes, "It just seems like the right thing to do. I want to give back to the institution, the idea, the brand, the promise that gave me so much."

"Coming to Linfield was not a given in my life," he said. "I went on a discovery, a journey, of finding an institution of higher learning where I could fulfill a promise to myself and to my parents. Linfield gave me far more than I even asked for or could, at the time, even dream of. How could I not, in some very small way, return this life-changing gift."

Never forgetting his roots and early inspirations, his passion for creativity still accompanies Craig's involvement with Linfield.

"Craig has added so much to our school and university with his enthusiastic support, exceptional and creative ideas, and extensive time commitment," Craig's award nominator noted. "Besides being a strong supporter of the School of Business, Craig is in part responsible for the development of Linfield's student exchange program with Nurtingen-Geislingen University (NGU) In Germany."