Chapter Milestones

ARCS Foundation Oregon has experienced significant growth and success since its founding in 2004. This success was driven by accompished, committed volunteers, a track record for increasing scholar awards, and strong relationships with our university partners. 

2024

• Celebrated ARCS Oregon's 20th Anniversary
• Total University Matched Endowments reach 36
  • 13 at OHSU
  • 17 at OSU
  •  6 at UO
• OHSU, OSU, UO received approval from National to support Lawful Permanent Residents

2023

• Total University Matched Endowments reached 35
  • 13 at OHSU
  • 16 at OSU
  •  6 at UO
• The Oregon Chapter has committed over $6.5M in scholar awards to 397 scholars
• Nationally the Oregon Chapter ranks number two out of 15 chapters in number of scholar awards funded
• Record number of scholar awards committed (91)
• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board January 2023
  • OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (Epidemiology and Health Systems and Policy)
• The Chapter pledged second $1M to OSU
• Oregon ARCS member, Elise McClure, confirmed by the Oregon Legislature to serve on Oregon State University Board of Trustees

2022

• Total University Matched Endowments reached 28
• Oregon ARCS member, Staci Simonich, was named the first dean of the College of Agricultural Science at OSU 
• Record number of scholar awards committed (84)

2021

• Caron Ogg was elected ARCS Foundation National President July 1, 2021- June 30, 2023
• Chapter awarded a capacity-building grant from the M.J. Murdock Trust
• The Chapter sponsored "Celebration of Women in Engineering" at Oregon State University
• From 2015-2021, 25 University Matched Endowments have been established:
  • 8 at OHSU
  • 12 at OSU
  • 5 at UO

2020

• The Chapter reached the $5 million mark of scholar awards committed
• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board January 2020
  • College of Arts and Sciences at UO, Department of Human Physiology
• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board June 2020
  • College of Ag Sciences at OSU, Department in Horticulture
  • College of Science at OSU, Department of Physics
  • Graduate School at OSU, Program in Water Resources Engineering Program
• From 2015-2020, 23 University Matched Endowments have been established:
  • 5 at UO
  • 7 at OHSU
  • 11 at OSU

2019

• The Oregon Chapter hosted the ARCS All Member Conference in September
• From 2015-2019, 15 University Matched Endowments (UME) have been established:
  •   1 University Matched Endowment at UO
  •  4 University Matched Endowments at OHSU
  • 10 University Matched Endowments at OSU

2018

• The Chapter received a $1.5 million bequest from member Jill Josselyn to support the scholar award program in perpetuity

2017

• The Chapter received its first bequest from charter member Mary Martin Rosenberg that will fund students in perpetuity
• Second member retreat was scheduled in January to revise the Long Range Plan and Implementation Plan

2016

• The Chapter reached the $3 million mark of scholar awards committed
• Second member satisfaction survey was conducted
• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board January 2016
  • The College of Pharmacology at OSU, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences 
  • The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at OSU, Department of Geology 
• The Portland Chapter changed its name to ARCS Foundation Oregon Chapter on May 11, 2016
• University Matched Endowments (UME) were established with OHSU, OSU, and UO

2015

• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board January 2015
  • College of Arts and Sciences at University of Oregon (Departments of Biology, Chemistry) 
• The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) awarded the Portland Chapter the "2015 Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation"
• First year scholar awards were presented to two (2) UO PhD students

2014

• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board February 2014
  • The College of Science at OSU (Departments of Mathematics, Microbiology, Statistics, Integrative Biology (Zoology), Biochemistry and Biophysics, Chemistry)
• The third $200,000 scholar award endowment was established by the Fairway Fund
• The 10th Anniversary Scholar Award Fund of $200,000 was established by member and community donations

2013

• The Chapter reached the $2 million mark of scholar awards committed
• The Chapter pledged $1 million to OSU by 2018 and therefore became a member of the Milton Harris Society
• The second $200,000 scholar award endowment was established by Barbara and Philip Silver
• The Portland Chapter hosted the fall ARCS National Board meeting
• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board October 2013
  • The College of Agricultural Sciences at OSU (Departments of Crop and Soil Science, Biological and Ecological Engineering, Botany and Plant Pathology, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Food Science and Technology)

2012

• First membership satisfaction survey was conducted
• Long Range Plan was written and implemented
• The board was restructured to be a committee-driven organization
• The first $200,000 scholar award endowment was established by Caron and Larry Ogg
• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board June 2012
  • College of Engineering at OSU, School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • College of Engineering at OSU, School of Civil and Construction Engineering

2011

• OHSU hosted a lunch for all ARCS Oregon members to celebrate the $1 million mark of scholar awards committed to OHSU
• The Scholar Award Policy Agreement was created and signed with OHSU and OSU
• A member retreat was scheduled in June to create a 5-year Long Range Plan and Implementation Plan

2010

• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board October 2010
  • The College of Forestry at OSU (Departments of Forest Ecosystems & Society, Sustainable Forest Management, Wood Science & Engineering)
  • The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at OSU 
• The Chapter reached the $1 million mark of scholar awards committed

2009

• The scholar award amount was raised to $18,000

2008

• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board September 2008
  • The College of Engineering at OSU (Schools of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical, Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, Nuclear Science and Engineering)
• The first annual Celebrate the Scholars event was organized to acknowledge students who completed three years of funding
• First year scholar awards were presented to four (4) OSU PhD students

2005

• The Portland Chapter received its 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization
• First Long Range Plan was formed and implemented
• Approved for funding by ARCS National Board October 2005
  • The School of Medicine at OHSU
  • The School of Nursing at OHSU 
• First scholar awards of $15,000 were granted to 11 PhD students at OHSU and in the Oregon Graduate Institute

2004

• The Portland Chapter was incorporated and applied for 501(c)(3) status in May
• The chapter was chartered with 65 members
• Sharon Hewitt was elected the first chapter president