UO Announces Kilkenny Gift to Academic Programs
EUGENE, Ore. -- In a move that University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer says will "help unite academics and athletics at the University of Oregon," Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny and his wife, Stephanie, are giving $1 million to academic programs in the university.
An additional $500,000 will go to academics this year and next because Kilkenny has declined his salary, Frohnmayer announced.
"Not only is Pat generous," said Frohnmayer. "He's a savvy businessman. Part of the deal when I hired him one year ago was that he would forego his salary, and the money would go back to the university. Half will go to athletics and half to academics. By doing it this way (instead of the university writing him a check and Pat writing us a check), more money goes to the university."
The $1 million outright gift, the first major contribution to academics from the longtime athletics donor, will create two innovative programs that combine sports and academics and will also support scholarships and UO Libraries. Because of the salary waiver, $250,000 will be used this year to expand a service learning program for students. The other half of Kilkenny's deferred salary this year will be dedicated to nonrevenue sports for purposes such as lighting at the women's softball field.
Next year, half the deferred salary will also be allocated for academics and half for athletics.
The largest portion of the $1 million outright gift, $500,000, will establish a new education and research initiative on intercollegiate athletics. It will be operated by a partnership of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center in the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business, the School of Journalism and Communication and the athletic department. The key feature of the initiative will be a unique executive education program to train current or aspiring university athletic directors in business and communication skills needed to lead a college athletics program.
Another $460,000 will establish a new interdisciplinary program housed in the law school. "Competition Not Conflict" will promote sports as a healthy alternative to conflict and as a vehicle to teach dispute resolution skills.
Throughout his first year at the helm of Duck athletics, Kilkenny has worked to unite athletics and academics. "If we work together, the combination of both groups is powerful," said Kilkenny.
"Stephanie and I talked a lot about the great things the University of Oregon is doing. We found some opportunities to make a real difference. And we wanted to send a message that 'student' comes first in 'student athlete.'"
"We're all on the same team," added Stephanie. "Education is a family thing for me." Her mother, stepmother, both grandmothers and both sisters have master's degrees in the education field.
"The University of Oregon owes a debt of gratitude to Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny," said Frohnmayer. "After more than a decade as a donor and a leader, Pat spent the past year giving us his most precious gift to date -- his time. Now Pat and Stephanie are giving even more. Their investment will help unite academics and athletics at the University of Oregon."
"Pat is as committed to the academic mission of the institution as he is to the athletic mission," said UO Senior Vice President and Provost Linda Brady. "He believes, as I do, that we should strive for excellence in both. The Kilkennys' gift demonstrates this commitment to excellence."
Another $27,500 of the gift is the first private donation for PathwayOregon, a new scholarship initiative that will guarantee qualified Oregonians from lower income families can attend the UO tuition-free by covering any remaining tuition costs not picked up by federal and state financial aid. It also provides students with comprehensive academic support and in some cases room and board. PathwayOregon is the first program of its kind at a public university in Oregon.
The remaining $12,500 goes to a new fund established by athletics coaches to support University of Oregon libraries. This is the first year for the annual fund, and 100 percent of the university's head athletic coaches contributed to help the libraries build collections and keep up with changing technology. The contributions were matched by donor Dave Petrone and his wife, Nancy. Dave Petrone is a 1966 UO graduate and longtime supporter of both athletics and academics at the university.
Frohnmayer approved a plan to use $250,000 of Kilkenny's waived first-year salary to establish the Kilkenny Service and Leadership Fund. The fund will provide grants of up to $1,000 to help students participate in hands-on educational projects through the Service Learning Program (SLP). The SLP is affiliated with the university's College of Education and the Associated Students of the University of Oregon.
Since 1969, the SLP (one of the oldest such programs in the nation) has given students ways to earn credits through volunteer programs that help the community. But this is the first time the program has supported student-initiated projects.
"This gift is going to allow us to support all the innovative ideas from our students," said John Duncan, who oversees the SLP. "We are so grateful for such a wonderful commitment to our students and our community."
"This gift shows the Kilkennys' commitment to the academic as well as the athletic side of the university," said Charles H. Lundquist College of Business Dean James Bean. "It will enhance our reputation as a leader in sports business and it will strengthen our relationship with both the School of Journalism and Communication and athletics.
"It will be a symbiotic relationship between athletics and academics," said Bean. "We offer our research, and they provide the data, internships, and programs that allow us to use different sports programs as living laboratories."
Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, said the new athletic director education program will feature short courses and workshops, ideal for busy executives, covering all aspects of leading a major college athletic department, from sponsorship deals to community relations.
Ultimately, the program will generate tuition revenue to support a variety of programs at the internationally recognized center. It will also benefit students and teachers, said Swangard. Faculty members will conduct sports-related research projects, and students will learn through internships and hands-on projects.
"This is Oregon," said Swangard. "Sports is in our DNA. This will help turn the athletic department into the ultimate learning lab. Students and faculty will see immediate benefit, and we hope long-term the UO will become the training ground for the future leaders of collegiate athletics."
"In funding the startup of this new program, Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny recognize the power of collaboration across the campus," said Edwin L. Artzt Dean Tim Gleason of the School of Journalism and Communication. "Their gift creates an opportunity for schools of journalism and communication and business to integrate faculty expertise in communication, sports marketing and business.
"It is no surprise that Pat, a former journalism major, recognizes the value of such a program. We are grateful to Pat and Stephanie for this new opportunity."
Through the new "Competition, Not Conflict" program, "we hope to become the leader in addressing conflict and community through sports," says School of Law Associate Dean for Student and Program Affairs Jane Gordon, who also directs the Appropriate Dispute Resolution Center. "It's a great model for bringing together academics and athletics."
The program will offer workshops and create learning materials for youth coaches and referees. Athletes will learn about conflict resolution skills, and then visit students in their communities. Other ideas include symposia, research projects, and initiatives with the NCAA.
"The Kilkennys' gift is the kickoff," says Gordon. "Without them, we probably couldn't do it, even though there's already so much interest. This is not only a law school program. It involves so many disciplines that it would be difficult to fund through the usual channels."
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
CONTACT: Julie Brown, director of media relations, University of Oregon, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu
LINKS: Impact of gift; BIOS
An additional $500,000 will go to academics this year and next because Kilkenny has declined his salary, Frohnmayer announced.
"Not only is Pat generous," said Frohnmayer. "He's a savvy businessman. Part of the deal when I hired him one year ago was that he would forego his salary, and the money would go back to the university. Half will go to athletics and half to academics. By doing it this way (instead of the university writing him a check and Pat writing us a check), more money goes to the university."
The $1 million outright gift, the first major contribution to academics from the longtime athletics donor, will create two innovative programs that combine sports and academics and will also support scholarships and UO Libraries. Because of the salary waiver, $250,000 will be used this year to expand a service learning program for students. The other half of Kilkenny's deferred salary this year will be dedicated to nonrevenue sports for purposes such as lighting at the women's softball field.
Next year, half the deferred salary will also be allocated for academics and half for athletics.
The largest portion of the $1 million outright gift, $500,000, will establish a new education and research initiative on intercollegiate athletics. It will be operated by a partnership of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center in the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business, the School of Journalism and Communication and the athletic department. The key feature of the initiative will be a unique executive education program to train current or aspiring university athletic directors in business and communication skills needed to lead a college athletics program.
Another $460,000 will establish a new interdisciplinary program housed in the law school. "Competition Not Conflict" will promote sports as a healthy alternative to conflict and as a vehicle to teach dispute resolution skills.
Throughout his first year at the helm of Duck athletics, Kilkenny has worked to unite athletics and academics. "If we work together, the combination of both groups is powerful," said Kilkenny.
"Stephanie and I talked a lot about the great things the University of Oregon is doing. We found some opportunities to make a real difference. And we wanted to send a message that 'student' comes first in 'student athlete.'"
"We're all on the same team," added Stephanie. "Education is a family thing for me." Her mother, stepmother, both grandmothers and both sisters have master's degrees in the education field.
"The University of Oregon owes a debt of gratitude to Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny," said Frohnmayer. "After more than a decade as a donor and a leader, Pat spent the past year giving us his most precious gift to date -- his time. Now Pat and Stephanie are giving even more. Their investment will help unite academics and athletics at the University of Oregon."
"Pat is as committed to the academic mission of the institution as he is to the athletic mission," said UO Senior Vice President and Provost Linda Brady. "He believes, as I do, that we should strive for excellence in both. The Kilkennys' gift demonstrates this commitment to excellence."
Another $27,500 of the gift is the first private donation for PathwayOregon, a new scholarship initiative that will guarantee qualified Oregonians from lower income families can attend the UO tuition-free by covering any remaining tuition costs not picked up by federal and state financial aid. It also provides students with comprehensive academic support and in some cases room and board. PathwayOregon is the first program of its kind at a public university in Oregon.
The remaining $12,500 goes to a new fund established by athletics coaches to support University of Oregon libraries. This is the first year for the annual fund, and 100 percent of the university's head athletic coaches contributed to help the libraries build collections and keep up with changing technology. The contributions were matched by donor Dave Petrone and his wife, Nancy. Dave Petrone is a 1966 UO graduate and longtime supporter of both athletics and academics at the university.
Frohnmayer approved a plan to use $250,000 of Kilkenny's waived first-year salary to establish the Kilkenny Service and Leadership Fund. The fund will provide grants of up to $1,000 to help students participate in hands-on educational projects through the Service Learning Program (SLP). The SLP is affiliated with the university's College of Education and the Associated Students of the University of Oregon.
Since 1969, the SLP (one of the oldest such programs in the nation) has given students ways to earn credits through volunteer programs that help the community. But this is the first time the program has supported student-initiated projects.
"This gift is going to allow us to support all the innovative ideas from our students," said John Duncan, who oversees the SLP. "We are so grateful for such a wonderful commitment to our students and our community."
"This gift shows the Kilkennys' commitment to the academic as well as the athletic side of the university," said Charles H. Lundquist College of Business Dean James Bean. "It will enhance our reputation as a leader in sports business and it will strengthen our relationship with both the School of Journalism and Communication and athletics.
"It will be a symbiotic relationship between athletics and academics," said Bean. "We offer our research, and they provide the data, internships, and programs that allow us to use different sports programs as living laboratories."
Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, said the new athletic director education program will feature short courses and workshops, ideal for busy executives, covering all aspects of leading a major college athletic department, from sponsorship deals to community relations.
Ultimately, the program will generate tuition revenue to support a variety of programs at the internationally recognized center. It will also benefit students and teachers, said Swangard. Faculty members will conduct sports-related research projects, and students will learn through internships and hands-on projects.
"This is Oregon," said Swangard. "Sports is in our DNA. This will help turn the athletic department into the ultimate learning lab. Students and faculty will see immediate benefit, and we hope long-term the UO will become the training ground for the future leaders of collegiate athletics."
"In funding the startup of this new program, Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny recognize the power of collaboration across the campus," said Edwin L. Artzt Dean Tim Gleason of the School of Journalism and Communication. "Their gift creates an opportunity for schools of journalism and communication and business to integrate faculty expertise in communication, sports marketing and business.
"It is no surprise that Pat, a former journalism major, recognizes the value of such a program. We are grateful to Pat and Stephanie for this new opportunity."
Through the new "Competition, Not Conflict" program, "we hope to become the leader in addressing conflict and community through sports," says School of Law Associate Dean for Student and Program Affairs Jane Gordon, who also directs the Appropriate Dispute Resolution Center. "It's a great model for bringing together academics and athletics."
The program will offer workshops and create learning materials for youth coaches and referees. Athletes will learn about conflict resolution skills, and then visit students in their communities. Other ideas include symposia, research projects, and initiatives with the NCAA.
"The Kilkennys' gift is the kickoff," says Gordon. "Without them, we probably couldn't do it, even though there's already so much interest. This is not only a law school program. It involves so many disciplines that it would be difficult to fund through the usual channels."
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
CONTACT: Julie Brown, director of media relations, University of Oregon, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu
LINKS: Impact of gift; BIOS
