As public schools in Oregon and across the United States continue to face challenges, a University of Oregon donor is helping to champion the cause with a gift that will encourage teaching in public schools for years to come.

Thanks to an anonymous estate gift, high-achieving, undergraduate or graduate UO students who plan to teach in the public school system will be able to offset the cost of their education through this new $8 million scholarship endowment.

“America’s public schools are a primary pipeline to higher education and a better tomorrow,” said Roger Thompson, vice president for enrollment management. “The University of Oregon is proud to help educate the next generation of teachers and is humbled by this donor’s generosity. Clearly, the donor understood greatly the importance of our public schools and access to our public universities. This scholarship serves as a lasting tribute to that passion.”

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who plans to teach in the public school system, has a 3.0 or higher grade point average and demonstrates financial need. Awards are renewable for recipients who continue to qualify according to these criteria. Recipients will be selected by UO’s financial aid office.

“This gift comes from the estate of a proud member of our University of Oregon family,” said Michael Andreasen, vice president for university advancement. “It demonstrates the impact one can have on the lives of young people for decades to come. We are grateful for this act of generosity, which directly advances our goal of making higher education accessible to those who are determined to succeed.”

—By Tobin J. Klinger, Public Affairs Communications