Donors walked a red carpet, University President Dave Frohnmayer sang and the duck mascot was blasted out of a cannon Saturday night.
And not lost in the fray at the University’s gala was the announcement of an anonymous donor’s $15 million gift — the third-largest ever to the University — that will fund scholarships, Presidential Chairs and a new journalism program in Portland.
At a five-hour Hollywood premier-style event, University alumni and donors gathered to kick off the second phase of the University’s $600 million fundraiser, Campaign Oregon: Transforming Lives. The campaign, which raised $300 million in its ‘silent phase,’ received another boost with the $15 million announcement and another announcement of
$1 million Saturday.
“What a wonderful conclusion to an extraordinary week,” Campaign Chair Randy Papé said. “So many people have brought us to this point and now to have this incredible gift push us well beyond the halfway mark and into the campaign’s public phase is so inspiring.”
Five million of the $15 million gift will go toward establishing the University’s first two Presidential Chairs; $4.5 million will go toward creating a journalism program in Portland; $2 million will go toward Presidential and Dean’s scholarships; and $2 million will go to scholarships in the School of Journalism and Communication. The money also provides $1.5 million in unrestricted funds for use by the University.
The $6.5 million going to the journalism school is the largest in its history.
Using the money, the University will develop a master’s degree program in public relations and an internship program for all sequences.
The gala was the first of its kind for the University, which seeks to make state history with its $600 million fundraising goal.
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, who circulated through the crowd greeting friends and associates near the cocktail bar, said the campaign shows everyone how important the University is to the state.
“I think this tells the students that the administration here actually understands this issue of the rising costs of access, and they are trying to do everything they can do to keep it down,” Kulongoski said. “So I think it sends a very positive message to the students that this isn’t just about bricks and mortar, but it’s about helping students get into this institution.”
Gala organizers transformed the Moshofsky Sports Center under the
direction of Hollywood producer and University alumnus Bryce Zabel. About 1,100 people attended to enjoy music, dinner and entertainment emceed by
actor Fred Willard.
Vice President of University Advancement Allan Price said the University wanted to put on a dramatic event but didn’t know what to do until Zabel said he’d direct it.
“It became a natural that since he’d done three Emmy shows that we do something that resembled a Hollywood award show,” Price said.
Price said the donors seemed to be
enjoying the evening.
Nancy Petrone, who, along with her husband Dave, gave $2.5 million to
the University in the fall, said she was
enjoying the gala.
“The people are so important to us from the University of Oregon,” she said. “And almost everyone who is important to us is here tonight.”