June 11, 2008

Gifts take two big ideas to the next level
Donors receive 60 percent tax credit for gifts supporting UO innovation

Dedicated to student wellness
Dennis Munroe's commitment to student wellness includes giving to the UO

Scholarships bring star student to the UO
High school valedictorian Renn Anderson chose the UO because of the scholarship package he was offered.

Recent Gifts to Campaign Oregon
$785 million and counting! The latest additions to Campaign Oregon: Transforming Lives.

For Dennis Munroe, there's nothing "extra" about extracurricular activities. "I don't use that word," says the university's physical education and recreation director.

"We are an integral component of the student learning neighborhood, so co-curricular is a better term."

"I'm very committed to the wellness of our students," says Munroe—so committed that he gives to a fund in his department using payroll deduction. This fund helps students considering careers in health, wellness, and recreation to attend workshops and conferences.

"The experiences that college students have outside the classroom are integral to their education," says Munroe, citing a recent study that proves active students who participate in fitness and recreation activities are more likely to succeed at their academic work. They are also more satisfied with their college experience.

"Intuitively, we've known this for years," says Munroe. "But now we have scientific evidence. Physical activity reduces stress, improves student retention, and builds positive lifelong habits."

"I give to the university because I value what the university has provided me," says Munroe. "My profession is serving students. We provide one piece of what it takes to help students become successful members of society. That's what brings me to work every day."

Munroe's dream? Completing the master plan for expanding the recreation center that will add over 100,000 square feet and a new pool.

The national standard for university recreation center fitness space is one square foot of space per student, he says. The UO has 11,000 square feet for more than 20,000 students. The new facility will help with overcrowding by doubling fitness space—and help more students have a healthier college experience.

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Scholarships bring star student to UO



On June 14th, it will be a cap and gown. Two weeks later, it will be a suit and tie.

This week, business major Renn Anderson graduates at the top of his class in the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business. Two weeks after commencement, he'll be working as a banking analyst at Pacific Crest Securities of Portland.

Born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, Anderson was a business honors student and graduated with a GPA that exceeds 4.00. His dad is a UPS driver and his mom is a graphic designer.

Anderson says he would have gone to college without scholarships, but he would have also gone into debt. As valedictorian of Grants Pass High School, Anderson had many options. He was seriously considering UC Berkeley.

"Then one of my teachers told me ‘If you get a 4.0, you'll get a full ride at the University of Oregon," says Anderson. Scholarships also made it possible for him to get more out of his college experience. Without the support, he would not have been able to take part in an internship at Walt Disney World.

Before going to Florida, Anderson had never been on a plane or east of Montana. He focused on operations finance at Walt Disney World's food and beverage division.

Anderson got his peak educational experience when the vice president of finance chose him to help give a presentation. "I learned what it takes to make a professional presentation to a business executive," he recalls. "That's an experience you can't get in the classroom."

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Recent Gifts to Campaign Oregon

Following are just a few of the many recent contributions from private donors to Campaign Oregon: Transforming Lives for academic purposes:

Terri and Jon Anderson—$50,000 pledge for the Ford Alumni Center.
Anonymous—$191,909 for the Oregon Bach Festival.
Diane and John Dimmer—$30,000 for the New Venture Championship in the Lundquist College of Business.
John Natt—$25,000 for the John J. Natt Arts and Sciences Endowment Fund.
NIKE, Inc.—$100,000 for the Bowerman Sports Science Clinic.
Margie Paris and Sheldon Rubin—$25,000 pledge to establish the John and Dora Paris School of Law Scholarship.
Kay and Don Parr—$65,533 for the Dorothy Carlson Parr scholarship endowment fund in the College of Education.
Kenneth Ruby/Ruby Family Foundation—$125,000 pledge for the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center in the Lundquist College of Business.
Nancy and Don Smith—$550,000, with 80 percent to Athletics and 20 percent to the Lundquist College of Business.
Susan Stevens and Hugh Fremantle—$60,000 pledge to establish the Stevens M.B.A. Fellowship in the Lundquist College of Business.
Susan Hawes Swindells—$1 million pledge for the College of Education Building Fund.


Current campaign total: $785 million

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