The University will officially kick off a massive fundraising campaign at a black tie gala Saturday at the Moshofsky Sports Center.
Campaign Oregon: Transforming Lives began four years ago and has quietly raised money for the University through private donations. Lights, Camera, Oregon! will be the campaign’s first public event and a “celebration of the excellence and promise of the University,” Todd Simmons, the University’s director of communications, said. The final goal of the campaign is to raise $600 million.
“We will bring together our donors and say thank you,” Simmons said. “It’s also an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the academic superstars of the University in a Hollywood way.”
Guests will walk a red carpet into the event and start their festivities with a cocktail party. A dinner will follow, accompanied by entertainment, which will include comedic sketches from actors Sam Elliott and Tim Matheson and a dance performance from the University of Oregon Repertory Dance Company. Actor and comedian Fred Willard, who recently appeared in the film “Anchorman,” will lead the show as emcee. Several University students and staff will be honored
for academic achievements.
“There will be a serious element at the event,” Simmons said. “We will talk about the challenges the University faces.”
While most guests were invited, the general public had the opportunity to purchase tickets for $200, which are no longer available.
Simmons said the event will open doors to new donors who can contribute to the University. He added that private support is increasingly necessary as the amount of public and state support has declined.
“If we want to continue the ascent to excellence, that increasingly costs more money,” he said.

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