Editor’s note: Over the next two weeks, Around the O will take a look back at some of the most-read stories of the past year. Starting with stories about the generosity of Duck supporters, the review will continue with lists of top research news across the university, social media posts and the stories that garnered the most attention across the country and around the world. A final story will list the overall top 10 Around the O stories based on page views. Happy New Year!
As we look to 2018 and reflect on the past year, the impact of generous Ducks is evident — across our campus, in the accomplishments of our students and faculty members, and through the excellence of our programs.
Since the start of our $2 billion fundraising campaign, more than 90,500 donors have stepped up. Regardless of the amount, every gift counts. And they are all adding up.
The UO wraps up the year with more than $1.74 billion raised in our $2 billion fundraising campaign. That includes more than $315 million for student support and more than $1.1 billion for faculty support and academic programs.
Here are five of the highlights (of many examples) from an exciting year of philanthropy and Ducks making a difference.
1. Thomsons endow new HEDCO Clinic director position
Imagine the educational and social services equivalent of a modern teaching hospital on the UO campus — a place where families get the help they need, students get practical experience and researchers make discoveries that become new clinical solutions.
The UO’s College of Education is closer to realizing this ambitious vision for its HEDCO Clinic, thanks to a $2 million gift from Julie and Keith Thomson. The couple’s endowment will establish a new clinic director position in perpetuity.
“Recruiting and retaining an accomplished, experienced leader is an important step toward fulfilling a dream that’s been years in the making. It’s fitting that this important new position will be forever named in honor of Julie and Keith, a couple of loyal Ducks who have given generously to the university over the years through their financial contributions, as well as their time and leadership.” —College of Education Dean Randy Kamphaus
https://around.uoregon.edu/content/thomsons-endow-new-hedco-clinic-director-position
2. Tech Data founder gives $5 million to boost ‘overall excellence’
The Duck who bought his dad’s side business for $10,000 in 1984 — and built it into the $27 billion global leader known as Tech Data — has contributed $5 million to create the University of Oregon’s first doctoral fellowship program, help fuel the President’s Success Fund and provide stipends for students in the UO’s human rights workshop program.
Over time, Steve Raymund’s gift will provide $4.5 million to support doctoral students in every academic department. Throughout their time at UO, the Raymund Fellows will also have the opportunity to share their work with each other, engage with faculty members from a variety of disciplines, and meet alumni whose research is already making a difference.
“I want to help boost the university’s overall excellence. More than ever, the university is in charge of its own fate. When you believe in the management, you want to fund their vision.” —Steve Raymund, 1978 economics graduate, UO Foundation board chair-elect.
https://around.uoregon.edu/content/tech-data-founder-gives-5-million-boost-overall-excellence
3. Giving Day raises $1.1 million for academics, buildings and more
May 18 was a day for Ducks to give back in different ways. For one, it was University Day, a time-honored tradition when students and faculty and staff members roll up their sleeves and spruce up campus. It was also the UO’s second annual #DucksGive day—a university-wide effort to inspire alumni, parents and friends to financially support their favorite aspect of the university. We exceeded this year’s goal of 1,876 gifts, in honor of the year the UO was founded.
As part of the giving day initiative, the Black Alumni Network of the University of Oregon Alumni Association made a $10,000 challenge gift, which inspired more than 100 individual donations for the UO’s new Black Cultural Center. Construction planning for the center began this fall, as fundraising passed the halfway mark of $1.5 million.
“Ducks sure know how to rise to the occasion. It’s inspiring to see what we can accomplish by pooling our efforts.” —Mike Andreasen, vice president for advancement.
https://around.uoregon.edu/content/giving-day-raises-11-million-academics-buildings-and-more
4. Longtime donors make new gift that reaches across campus
The UO campus boasts 295 acres of classrooms, courtyards, libraries and laboratories. But a university is nothing without people. A 2017 gift from Leona DeArmond, a 1951 UO music graduate who died September 5, 2017 at the age of 88, and Robert DeArmond, who earned his UO business administration degree in 1952, will bring top students and faculty members to the UO.
The DeArmonds’ endowment gifts will boost scholarship funds they’ve already established in the School of Music and Dance, the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. For years, DeArmond scholarships have supported student-athletes playing football, undergraduates studying voice and business students. Their gift will increase each of these three permanent scholarship funds.
The gift also includes funds for a faculty chair in the Lundquist College of Business and funds for PathwayOregon, the university’s innovative scholarship and support program for lower- income Oregonians, currently serving more than 2,200 undergraduates.
“I had such a wonderful experience and voice teacher at the School of Music. And, of course, that’s where I met Bob. We want to give future students the same opportunities we had to work hard, learn and succeed after college.” —Leona DeArmond, 1929-2017
5. Investing in Innovation
https://around.uoregon.edu/presidential-fund-excellence
A $50 million anonymous gift to the University of Oregon has created new possibilities for an expansion of research and discovery, student success and faculty growth. The gift establishes a Presidential Fund for Excellence, which gives UO President and Professor of Law Michael Schill and academic leaders the capacity to make strategic investments in initiatives and priorities that build on the UO’s strengths.
“At the University of Oregon, our mission is to create a positive impact on society. Through this extraordinary gift, these donors have provided the means to foster innovation and maximize our ability to create lasting and important benefits for the people of Oregon and our world, and to inspire other donors to do the same.” —Michael H. Schill