Penelope Stamps — Penny to her friends — died Dec. 13 after a long illness. She didn’t attend the University of Oregon, nor did any of her immediate family, but her passion for education and philanthropy left an indelible mark on the UO.

As the co-founder of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation along with her husband, Roe, Penny Stamps supported 1,845 students nationwide through the prestigious Stamps Scholarship, including 33 at the UO since fall 2013. The four-year award covers full tuition and fees along with an additional $12,000 in enrichment funds for study abroad, unpaid internships or other experiential learning opportunities.

“She was always very interested in hearing from our students,” said Roger Thompson, vice president for student services and enrollment management. “She loved to read their letters and would take any chance to meet them in person. She really valued that ongoing relationship beyond the financial support.”

The UO's initial four years were so successful that the Stamps Foundation opted to expand its partnership, doubling the annual cohort from five students to 10. The UO is one of nine institutions offering the enhanced support, out of 32 universities nationwide carefully chosen by the Stamps Foundation for the scholarships.

“We have so many stories of truly outstanding students who could have gone anywhere in the country, but thanks to the Stamps family they chose to come here,” Thompson said. “Penny will be deeply missed at the University of Oregon. We owe a great debt of gratitude to her.”

Stamps is survived by her mother, Carmella Witt; her husband, Roe; children Will Stamps and Annie Stamps-Ridgeway; and two grandchildren.