Julie Drinkward has been an ARCS Oregon member for 16 years. She and her husband Wayne have funded multiple scholar awards and hosted events at their home. She has served on the Board and several committees and has made many friends. She’s been honored with the chapter’s ARCS Light award. But Julie says that her ARCS involvement is better than ever now that she can enjoy it with her mother-in-law Sally Drinkward, and with her daughter Annie Reeves. “Sharing my involvement in ARCS with family has only made the experience more gratifying. Thank you ARCS and thank you family,” she says.  

Encouraging an investment in STEM is not surprising for three generations of this family. Sally’s late husband Cecil, and Julie’s husband Wayne have been instrumental leaders of Hoffman Construction, and Annie Reeves works there now as a Senior Project Manager.  

“I’ve always believed in the importance of kids learning as much math and science as possible,” Julie says. “Even if STEM isn’t where kids land with their career, it teaches a discipline and methodology of approaching problems that is invaluable.” 

Annie also understands the strong role of STEM in shaping the future. “Advancing STEM fields is the best way to have a positive impact on the most people around the world,” she says. “There are so many possible benefits, whether its improvements in healthcare leading to more positive medical outcomes, technology bringing people from different places together, or engineering solutions leading to an improved standard of living.” 

 “I’m excited to meet more scholars and get some understanding of the incredible work they are doing,” Annie says. “I’ve already met some amazing ARCS members and I’m looking forward to encouraging more of the next generation to join.”  

Julie and Sally have enjoyed friendships with other members of ARCS, but also with the scholars they funded. “The huge bonus of my involvement with ARCS is the people,” Julie says. During the pandemic, she and Wayne listened to one of their scholars defend his doctoral thesis virtually. The scholar’s mentor later told them “our scholar’s presentation was among the best he’d ever heard and that his work was spectacular.” Better yet, they learned the scholar planned to stay in Oregon to pursue his career. “What more could Wayne and I ask for?” she says. “Wayne and I feel good about sharing our belief in the great things ARCS is doing.” 

They are the second family with three generations of members in the Oregon Chapter. Caron Ogg has brought her daughter Lara into the chapter, as well as her granddaughter Alexa, who is now a freshman at OSU Cascades.