The University of Oregon Pioneer Award was established in 1979 to recognize those rare individuals who have been true agents of progress. Each year, the Pioneer Award is presented to individuals who have been outstanding pioneers in business, philanthropy, communication, politics and the arts. Learn more about the Pioneer Awards.
Kenda `74 and Kenneth Singer
Kenda and Ken Singer number among the University of Oregon’s most generous supporters.
Ken earned his B.S. from MIT in 1961 and his M.D. from Columbia in 1965. Kenda studied biology at the University of Oregon, graduating in 1974. She went on to the Physician’s Assistant Program at Duke University, graduating in 1978.
Ken and Kenda are both retired after careers in the medical field. Kenda worked as a physician’s assistant in Eugene in primary care, women's health and dermatology, and was responsible for general medical care for women's athletics for 20 years. Ken has been an orthopedic surgeon with the Slocum Center since 1972, and was the orthopedic surgeon for the Ducks for 30 years. He was past Chief of Staff at Sacred Heart Hospital, served on various local boards, and was active on the national level in medical education. They are very actively involved with their private foundation which grants college scholarships to local high school seniors.
The Singers have been transformative donors to the University of Oregon. They have given generously to the libraries, Oregon Humanities Center, intercollegiate athletics, Judaic Studies, and more, including endowing chairs in the Science Library and Department of Human Physiology, where Ken has been a long term courtesy faculty member. They are also lead donors to fund new state-of-the-art human physiology labs which will be housed in the newly renovated Hayward Field. Ken has served on the UO Foundation Board of Trustees since 2017.
It is an honor to present the 2020 Pioneer Award to Kenda and Ken Singer.
Linda `74 and Scott Andrews `74
Linda and Scott Andrews have had a tremendous impact on the University of Oregon through their philanthropy and service.
Scott was a first generation college student when he came to the UO. He first studied architecture before switching to business. He went on to earn his MBA at Penn’s Wharton School of Business. Linda studied psychology and graduated with Scott in 1974.
In 2018, Scott stepped down as president of Melvin Mark Properties and Executive Vice President of Melvin Mark Brokerage Company, but remains a principal and broker. Founded by Linda’s grandfather, Melvin Mark is one of Oregon’s leading commercial real estate companies, and manages more than three million square feet of space. Scott and Linda’s two sons Peter and Paul both work for Melvin Mark as well. Scott has also served the Portland community as chair of the Portland Development Commission and the Portland Business Alliance, and president of the Multnomah Athletic Club.
Linda and Scott have been wonderful friends to the University of Oregon. They give generously to the Lundquist College of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Design, the Duck Athletic Fund and more, helping to offer the next generation of students the same experience they had here. Scott served on the UO Foundation Board of Trustees from 2009-2017 and the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisors from 1996-2003. He is currently serving on the Lundquist College of Business Board. Linda is a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisors.
We are thrilled to honor Linda and Scott Andrews with the 2020 Pioneer Award.