Nike co-founder Phil Knight, arguably the University’s most prominent alumnus, announced a $100 million gift to the Oregon Health and Science University’s Cancer Institute on Wednesday.
This is the third time Knight has given such a sizeable gift. In 2006, Knight donated $105 million to Stanford’s School of Business, and in the summer of 2007, Knight gave $100 million to the University of Oregon’s Athletic Department.
The donation is the largest in OHSU’s history, and the hospital will rename its cancer institute the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.
The largest portion of the gift, $98 million, will be used at the discretion of the institute’s director, cancer researcher Brian Druker. The newly named Linda Conant Laboratory Suite, named after a friend of the Knight family who died of breast cancer in January, will receive the other $2 million.
“Brian Druker is nothing short of a genius and a visionary,” Knight said in a press release. “Unfortunately, cancer touches all of our lives. Penny and I believe because of the work of Dr. Druker and his talented staff that the Linda Conants of the future will have more quality years to spend with their loved ones.”
Knight’s long relationship with the University started back in the 1950s when he ran track. After expanding Nike to an international powerhouse, Knight stepped down as Nike CEO in 2004 and turned much of his focus to giving. Knight has donated an estimated $160 million to the University of Oregon over the years, including an estimated $35 million for renovations to Autzen Stadium and millions for renovations to the Knight Library and the William Knight Law Center.
“We deeply appreciate the Knights’ extraordinary generosity,” OHSU President Joseph Robertson said in the release. “This is an historic event for OHSU. The Knights’ gift will not only impact Oregonians with cancer, but will ultimately change the lives of patients around the world.”
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