President Scholz sent the following message to faculty, staff, and students on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
To the University of Oregon community,
I am excited to share that Phil and Penny Knight have committed $1 billion to the University of Oregon, with the intention of establishing a college of engineering. This is the largest gift ever made to a comprehensive public university. More importantly, it gives us the opportunity to extend what the University of Oregon does best: bring discovery, teaching, and public purpose together in ways that change lives.
This historic investment builds on an idea more than ten years in the making, one that began with a vision put forward by UO faculty that we could do a better job of translating discoveries into real-world impact. A decade later, this gift is a direct result of what we have proven is possible at the University of Oregon. The proposed college will allow us to scale our current bioengineering degree program and expand connections between industry, entrepreneurs, and researchers that have already resulted in a dozen student- and faculty-led startups and partnerships with over 200 companies. The planned college also advances Oregon Rising by deepening differentiated research strengths, preparing students for high-demand careers, and accelerating the benefits of university research for the state.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Phil and Penny Knight for their extraordinary generosity and for their enduring belief in the University of Oregon. Their commitment reflects confidence in our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and in the university’s ability to turn discovery into impact for Oregon and beyond.
I share this news while also acknowledging that we are working through difficult budget conversations. This exceptional gift is designated for engineering and accelerating scientific impact. It does not resolve the work still in front of us to address our structural deficit over the coming years. But it does affirm the principles laid out for those conversations: that we would invest in the strengths that set our university apart, continue to highlight research leadership and excellence, and make the UO a destination of choice for more students.
In just a few days, we will commemorate our 150th anniversary. As we pause to celebrate the university’s history, contributions, and community, I am grateful to those who, like Phil and Penny Knight, have believed so deeply in what we can accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Karl Scholz
President