The campus community got a behind-the-scenes look at progress on the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact in a recent message from Patrick Phillips, acting executive director of the initiative.

Phillips has been traveling the country meeting with leaders of related initiatives and said he is learning “about the varieties of leadership, organization, financial and physical structures that support large, interdisciplinary scientific endeavors.” But he also said others are watching what is happening in Eugene.

“The eyes of the scientific community are on the UO,” Phillips writes. “Everyone with whom I met was well aware of the Knights’ transformative gift, impressed by its scale and highly congratulatory for the opportunities it provides.”

Phillips’ update provides the latest information on staffing, the selection of architects and general contractors, and the ongoing funding support efforts in Salem, as well as details about the campus’ advisory board.

“After much consultation with the president and provost, we have appointed an internal advisory board of talented researchers who will continue to shape the campus in years to come,” the message says. “The committee is charged with providing counsel and making recommendations to the Knight Campus executive director and the UO president on scientific vision and the necessary structures and support for the Knight Campus.”

—By Tobin Klinger, University Communications