President Michael Gottfredson and Vice President for Enrollment Management Roger Thompson were thrilled at the remarks made by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan praising the University of Oregon’s PathwayOregon program.

"Providing more Oregon students with access to a high-quality university education is among our top priorities, and PathwayOregon is a stellar example of how we're doing that,” said Gottfredson. “We are honored to be recognized for these efforts by the U.S. Secretary of Education."

In a keynote speech at the Federal Student Aid Training Conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Dec. 4, Duncan highlighted the high sophomore retention rates for PathwayOregon recipients and said he would like to see more institutions across the country expanding transformative programs such as PathwayOregon.

“We are very proud of the fact that the secretary of education highlighted a University of Oregon program as a model for others to follow,” said Thompson. “With 4,500 universities or more nationwide, for the secretary to highlight PathwayOregon is wonderful recognition for a fantastic program that provides educational opportunities to middle- and low-income Oregonians and is truly making a difference in our state.”

PathwayOregon, now in its sixth year, ensures that academically qualified, Pell Grant-eligible Oregonians will have their UO tuition and fees paid with a combination of federal, state and university grant funds. The program increases access to college for lower-income Oregon high school students and helps to ensure that they finish their degrees.

“For the secretary to recognize PathwayOregon in front of 7,000 national financial aid leaders is a demonstration of the university’s commitment to provide Oregonians with access to an affordable education at the state’s flagship institution,” Thompson said. “This year we have 530 new PathwayOregon students after having 400 last year, which shows how this program is continuing to grow and serve our state.”

—By Melissa Foley, Public Affairs Communications