Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships Impact Fund
Removing Financial Barriers for Underserved Top Undergraduate Scholars
Founded in the winter of 2023, the Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships (URDS) Impact Fund is a collaborative initiative by UO Advancement and URDS teams.
This fund aims to bridge the equity gaps in access, experience, and outcomes that persist in higher education for traditionally underserved students, including those with high financial need, first-generation college students, and BIPOC students. The goal of the fund is to support undergraduate research fellowships, distinguished scholarships, finalist interview travel, academic conference travel, and access to UO Phi Beta Kappa.
Discover the amazing work of the 2024–25 URDS Scholars
Below, you'll find inspiring stories of students who have thrived thanks to the URDS Impact Fund.
Alumni pay it forward
The inaugural DuckFunder campaign to establish the fund exceeded its goal, thanks to a generous matching gift from Lundquist alumni Todd and Sue Ringoen.
Todd, a 1985 graduate with a degree in finance, and Sue, a 1984 graduate with a degree in accounting have generously shared their time and expertise over the years.
“When we heard about the URDS Impact Fund, it just made sense for us to give. We understand the financial struggles that students face, especially those who have been underserved. Our stories are similar. We wanted to pay it forward and help build a better and more inclusive experience for students.”
“I am deeply grateful to the donors of the URDS Impact Fund. The continuing support vitalizes our core mission of advancing equitable access to the full benefits and opportunities of a liberal arts and sciences public research university for all students. The Impact Fund uniquely fills a critical gap in institutional support by providing timely and agile aid to high-achieving students who earn prestigious academic invitations, admissions, honors, and awards but face financial barriers to full acceptance.”–Kevin Hatfield, assistant vice provost for Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships
funds raised in 2024
student recipients since 2023
first-generation students
Join us in empowering the next generation of scholars!
Your investment can help us reach even more students and ensure that financial constraints do not hinder their academic and professional growth. Together, we can foster a community of scholars who are prepared to lead and innovate.
Meet the 2024–25 URDS Scholars
Sophia Barghouti, class of 2027
College of Arts & Sciences
Major(s): Political Science
Minor(s): Arabic, Middle Eastern & North African Studies
Get to know Sophia
- Sophia, a UO Presidential Scholar, was a UO Representative at the"4th Global Peace Summit" at United Nations Thailand and a participant at the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights workshop, “New Technology and Human Rights” at Oxford University. This is just one of her many accolades.
- Sophia plans to pursue a law degree in international human rights and serve as a human rights lawyer and/or humanitarian worker.
“This scholarship lifted the weight of financial barriers, turning what felt like a distant dream into a reachable reality of visiting a United Nations headquarters. It has opened the door to engage with the very individuals I aspire to become, knowing that limitations no longer define the path ahead, but by boundless possibility and purpose.”–Sophia Barghouti
Abdirahim Mohamoud, class of 2025
College of Arts & Sciences
Major(s): Political Science
Get to know Abdirahim
- Abdirahim, a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipient, interned in Washington, D.C. for U.S. Senator Ron Wyden.
- Abdirahim performed research in Amman, Jordan on “political, military, economic and social aspects of issues of interest to Jordan and the Arab world, related to the security of the region” to inform his co-organization of a professional conference in Abu Dhabi.
- He wants to pursue a career in public interest law after attending law school.
“I am motivated by a deep-seated calling to improve the world around me. I have done it in high school, I have done it in college, I will do it in law school, and I will continue it for the rest of my life. Upon completing my graduate studies, I envision a position where I can actively contribute to shaping policy, creating a more inclusive legal environment, and challenging systems of injustice.”–Abdirahim Mohamoud in his Truman application
Oliver Loreto, class of 2025
Clark Honors College
Major(s): Biochemistry, Data Science, and Biology
Minor(s): Bioengineering
Get to know Oliver
- Oliver was a Rhodes Finalist (District 14), a Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars Fellow, UO Presidential Scholarship, and Co-Founder of UO chapter of the iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) Foundation are just a few of his accomplishments.
- He is the co-founder & CEO, ClearMark Biosciences, a biotech startup focused on democratizing access to medical treatment by commercializing a rapid and shelf-stable concussion self-test.
- Oliver plans to continue SynBio (Synthetic Biology) research and development, and launch a SynBio advocacy group. Ultimately, he hopes to develop and bring new technologies to market to help reduce inequalities in healthcare, using the tools of business and public advocacy.
“Thanks to the generous support from the URDS Impact Fund, I was able to travel to Seattle for my Rhodes Scholarship finalist interview—a moment that felt like the culmination of my undergraduate journey. This funding allowed me to fully focus on preparing and experiencing the event without worrying about finances. Although I didn’t ultimately receive the scholarship, the connections I made and the confidence I gained have opened new doors, inspiring me to pursue opportunities I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I'm incredibly grateful to URDS for helping me get there and for believing in my potential.”–Oliver Loreto
Charles Petrik, class of 2025
Clark Honors College
Major(s): Global Studies and Geography
Minor(s): Global Service
Get to know Charles
- Charles was a Rhodes Finalist (District 14) and served as UO Representative; "4th Global Peace Summit" at United Nations Thailand, UO CURE Surf Humanities Fellowship, among other accolades.
- His research covers a variety of topics, including a recent article entitled, “Being Bosnian: The Means and Ends of Territoriality and the Genocide of Bosniaks in the Former Yugoslavia.” Oregon Undergraduate Research Journal, vol. 22, no. 1, 2024, pp. 11-23. (Non-refereed)
- Charles plans to attend the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Senegal, departing September of 2025 and he hopes to pursue a career in diplomatic relations.
“As a recipient of more than one URDS funded scholarship/fellowship, my academic horizons have been transformed. Having had to work a restaurant job to finance my education, the merit-based support provided to me has levelled my opportunities to succeed with my peers and set me on a path toward a life of uninhibited academic exploration. I cannot thank CURE enough for their unwavering support, not just at the financial level, but also on the human level, ensuring that I compound my hard work.”–Charles Petrik
