Ken Kesey is not a name you can go four years at the University of Oregon without hearing. He is one of the most visible icons of the 1960s and a tie-dyed slice of Oregon pride. As so much of the hippie movement was about youth empowerment and creativity, Kesey’s story is still relevant today — especially for Oregonians. While there have been many movies and documentaries that celebrate Kesey’s life, the newest version pays homage to his old stomping grounds: Eugene.

OPB’s “Oregon Experience” is a show which features places, events and people who define the Beaver State, including an episode dedicated to Reed College, The Suffragists and Portland Noir. Its latest episode pays tribute to Oregon’s very own Merry Prankster. After writing two of America’s most famous books, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Sometimes A Great Notion,” Kesey became even more famous for ushering in the hippie movement. The episode chronicles the life of the writer, following as he travels across the country in his rainbow-painted bus, “Furthur,” conducting electric Kool-Aid acid tests. Furthur II made its way to campus last week to promote the Eugene screening of the episode.

But the episode also delves into Kesey’s personal life, offering little known facts and intimate interviews with Kesey’s biographer, widow, mother, son, daughter, granddaughter and friends. Archival footage is taken from the cross-country Furthur trip, Kesey’s musical and theatrical performances and old Kesey interviews.

The episode begins by focusing mainly on Kesey’s luminous writing ability. There are several sequences that are haunting and poetic as Kesey reads his early work. It then switches focus to countercultural Kesey in the 60s, and the drugs, music, multimedia dance parties and creation that came with it.

But by far the coolest aspect of the episode is that it chronicles Kesey’s life as a Eugenean. Kesey lived in and went to high school in Springfield and performed small plays at the McDonald Theatre. Surprisingly, he was a straight-laced speech and communication student who got married his junior year of college, was on the University of Oregon’s wrestling team, and graduated in 1957.  Footage shows the Register-Guard article announcing the release of Kesey’s “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.” And in his later years, Kesey would put on workshops for kids at the Eugene Public Library.

This episode is comprehensive, including everything from Kesey’s struggle trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood to his influence in the birth of the Grateful Dead. It’s like everything cool about Oregon is wrapped up in this one man and everything and everyone around him. But if you’re expecting a chewed up E! True Hollywood Story, think again. Like Kesey, the episode is completely authentic — OPB’s way of celebrating a true Oregonian.

Check out the Ken Kesey episode of “The Oregon Experience” on OPB, channel ten. The next airing is Friday at 4 a.m., but more showings are likely to come.