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Ģ����ý Foundation breaks record, raising nearly $610,000 at annual gala

Story by James Hill

It was a record-breaking night for the Ģ����ý Foundation.

The philanthropic division of the college hosted its seventh annual gala on Saturday, May 19, raising a record $609,757 for scholarships and success initiatives – nearly $100,000 more than last year. With the theme, “Kick Up a Storm for Student Success,” the Ģ����ý Foundation’s “An Evening for Opportunity” Gala attracted more than 480 attendees to the event held at the Downtown Portland Hilton Hotel. Funds raised will help hundreds of Ģ����ý students, many being the first in their families to attend college and with deep financial need, to be supported in their academic pursuits.

“The gala was sensational and a true transformation of opportunity for student success,” said Ģ����ý Foundation Board Chair Susie Lahsene, recently retired senior manager for transportation and land use policy for the Port of Portland.

To cap the evening, the Ģ����ý Foundation recognized Howard Butzer and Robert Wimmer with its 2018 Patron Award. The college awards this honor to people or organizations that have made a significant contribution to Ģ����ý to ensure access to education for students. Wimmer and Butzer, partners for 30-plus years, decided to create scholarships for students who need extra financial support in order to attend college. In addition to supporting scholarships in their names, the two have also included the Ģ����ý Foundation in their estate plans as members of the Amo DeBarnardis Legacy Society.

“Every dollar raised helps change the life of a student, and you could certainly tell from the student stories that the return on this investment is high,” said Ģ����ý President Mark Mitsui.

The Ģ����ý Foundation is a nonprofit organization that expands access to education by funding scholarships and educational programs that support students at Ģ����ý, the largest higher education institution in Oregon.