Strategic Scholarships
The College of Science Scholars Fund has become the most meaningful avenue of philanthropy for those donors who want to make a significant impact on science scholarship at Oregon State University.
In 2006, a pledge of $500,000 from Ginger (B.S. ’64) and Ken (B.S. ’64) Harrison launched the Science Scholars Fund. Other donors — ranging from our annual fund contributors to donors with named scholarships to people making their first-ever gift in the campaign — have continued to enhance this endowed fund. The College allocates the interest income annually to a set of incoming students who face choices about where to attend college, whether to pursue science and math, or whether they can afford to continue their education at Oregon State University.
The typical OSU student now graduates with $19,000 in student loans and about $12,000 in consumer debt.
Although this may be the best investment of their lives, studies show that more and more students shy away from career paths that may be their passion, but are not lucrative, and toward paths that will help them repay their debts.
At Oregon State University, with the help of the Science Scholars Fund, we are counteracting this phenomenon with customized award packages that allow deserving students to pursue their passion in science and math.
Making a Gift
Gifts to the Science Scholars Fund serve as a nest egg. As contributions increase the size of the endowment, income grows—and so does the investment in students. Donors can rest assured that the principle of the Science Scholars Fund endowment will never be touched; the College of Science Scholarship Committee will strategically allocate only the interest income generated by gifts to recruit and retain students in the College of Science.
We ask all of our donors who value scholarship to consider a gift to the College of Science Scholars Fund in addition to their targeted options for philanthropy in Science.
Make a major investment through
- Pledges or gifts of $25,000 or more, which may be paid over 3-5 years;
- Gifts of appreciated stock;
- Designation of a portion of an estate.
Make an annual gift by designating the College of Science Scholars Fund when you respond to mail from the OSU Fund or phone requests by OSU student callers. Annual gifts of $1,000 or more qualify donors for membership in the President’s Circle, Oregon State University’s premier donor club.
Advances in basic science and mathematics create knowledge for technological change, form a foundation for economic development, and lead to improvements in community health. The College of Science fosters the understanding of science and mathematics as essential for decision making by critical students, involved faculty, and an informed public.
For more information, please contact:
Anne Murphy
Director of Development
College of Science
OSU Foundation
850 SW 35th Street
Corvallis, OR 97333
541-737-3603 office
541-737-9689 fax
541-760-7196 cell
