Born in Italy, the fifth of six children, a young Rosaria Haugland developed a love for Latin, literature and the opera that put her on the path of lifelong learning.

She was the first in her family to get a college degree, following it with doctorates in biology and biochemistry. She helped start a successful Eugene biotechnology company and then moved into philanthropy and community service.

On April 10, Haugland was recognized for these accomplishments and more as a recipient of the University of Oregon’s 2012 Distinguished Service Award.

During a reception in the Lewis Integrative Science Building that she has supported, Haugland received the university’s highest award for service. Presented annually since 1956, the award is given to individuals who by their knowledge and skills have made a significant contribution to the cultural development of Oregon or society as a whole.

Haugland is a retired biochemist and co-founder of Molecular Probes, a Eugene biotechnology company later sold to Invitrogen. Since then, she has focused on philanthropy, with a particular interest in the arts, health care, education and nonprofits that help women and girls.

Haugland founded Eugene-based Ophelia’s Place, which offers counseling, classes and support groups to help girls make good life decisions; and the Rosaria P. Haugland Foundation, which supports the arts, education and community institutions to help women and children primarily in Oregon.

She also established the Rosaria P. Haugland Foundation Chair in Pure and Applied Chemistry at the UO and created the first graduate fellowship in chemistry, with a particular interest in encouraging women to pursue scientific careers. The Rosaria Haugland Graduate Research Fellowship Fund in Chemistry is a three-year, full-tuition award that supports individuals from groups that have not traditionally participated in the sciences and since it was established in 2004, all three recipients have been women.

In her acceptance speech, Haugland said the university was instrumental in helping Molecular Probes succeed and that she was humbled by the award. In a world of constant change, “the only thing that is left to us is our education, enjoyment of learning new things and the love of family and friends,” Haugland said.

In presenting the award, university President Michael Gottfredson commended Haugland for embracing the university’s mission to “enhance the lives of others.”

Scott Coltrane, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the one who nominated Haugland for the award, cited accomplishments including the founding of Ophelia’s Place, where services range from skill-building workshops to professional counseling to overnight slumber parties.

“While many other agencies serve girls who are experiencing life challenges such as homelessness, pregnancy or substance abuse, Rosaria was interested in a proactive approach that would support girls in developing self-respect and a positive self-image,” Coltrane said.

Among those who honored Haugland was chemistry graduate student Julia Widom, recipient of the Haugland research fellowship. Widom said she is motivated by the inspiration that Haugland provides for “scientific accomplishment, the arts, education and other avenues.”

Ada O.L. Lee, a Lane Community College Foundation trustee in attendance at the event, said her longtime friend approaches community service with sincerity and selflessness. “She’s such a wise person,” Lee said. “And her decisions benefit not just the community, but the world.”

Jazz trumpeter Carl Hilding “Doc” Severinsen of Arlington, also a recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Service Award, will be honored at another time.

A list of winners is available online. The Committee on Distinguished Service Awards and Honorary Degrees and the Office of the President also seek, on an ongoing basis, suggestions for possible recipients of an honorary degree from the university; send them to Dave Hubin, committee chair, at the Office of the President or hubin@uoregon.edu.

The 2013 recipient(s) will be honored this fall.

-- story and photo by Matt Cooper, UO Office of Strategic Communications