ANNUAL REPORT
Southern Oregon University
2023 Impact of Giving
Recognizing the visionary leadership of those dedicated to the future of Southern Oregon University, our donors exemplify an unparalleled generosity that fuels our institution’s vitality. Join us in celebrating our past successes and embracing the shared journey ahead, as we continue to build a thriving future for SOU.
Here’s How You Gave in 2023
$15.4
Million Dollars Raised
39%
Private Support to Scholarships
8%
Athletics
$6.08 Million
in Scholarships
2,600
Total Donors
70% of Donors
are Businesses
You Supported Student Academics
In 2023, donors gave $6.08 million in scholarships. The extraordinary impact of donors providing financial support for scholarships is evidenced in the opportunities it affords students, catalyzing their academic pursuits and shaping a future marked by achievement and societal contribution. This year, scholarships generously funded by donors enabled Mayra Sanchez Contreras, a first-generation student from Medford, Oregon, to fulfill her aspirations of becoming a teacher.
Learn more about how the Lithia & Driveway scholarship impacted Mayra’s journey to SOU.
You Gave to the Arts
Julia Sommer, a longtime advocate for the arts, has a deep connection with Southern Oregon University through her deep appreciation for music and the performing arts. From participating in SOU’s summer chamber music workshops to contributing her voice to the Jefferson Public Radio, Julia’s passion for the arts led her to create two charitable gift annuities. These annuities not only provide her with financial stability but also ensure perpetual support for SOU’s music, dance, and theater programs, embodying Julia’s belief in the transformative power of supporting what one values.
Read Julia Sommer’s inspiring giving story here.
You Sponsored Legendary Performance
In your support of the spirit of competition, donors gave $1.20 million in 2023 to support SOU’s student-athletes. This support builds upon the character and athleticism of SOU’s student athletes including the 2023 national champions in women’s wrestling and softball. The diversity of supporters at SOU continue to grow, expand, and this support fuels athletic excellence, allowing teams to reach new heights in their pursuit of victory and personal growth. Your generosity directly impacts training facilities, coaching resources, and scholarship opportunities, ensuring that every athlete has the tools they need to triumph both on and off the field.
To learn about impact of this support, read here about student athlete Robby Running’s scholarships and athletic success.
You Supported Community and Belonging
You gave $5.10 million to academics including the incredible legacy gift from Sue and Mike Collins, driven by a shared commitment to community, education, and philanthropy. Rooted in a family history of agriculture in the Rogue Valley, the Collins’ connection with SOU runs deep, intertwining with Sue’s fond memories of summer school and Mike’s pivotal experiences post-Vietnam. The Collins’ philanthropic journey, ranging from supporting public radio to academic institutions, finds a focal point in SOU, where their endowed fund will shape the future by supporting academic programs, athletics, and faculty, embodying their profound belief in the transformative power of education and commitment to community strength.
Read the full profile of philanthropic investment by Sue and Mike Collins here.
You Contributed to a Sustainable Future
By prioritizing sustainability, SOU cultivates a campus culture that inspires innovation, community engagement, and sets a precedent for other institutions to follow in the pursuit of a more sustainable world. Bryan DeBoer, an alum of Southern Oregon University (SOU) and President/CEO of Lithia & Driveway, is catalyzing significant positive change through the university’s largest-ever philanthropic gift. The philanthropic commitment spans a decade and is directed by the Lithia & GreenCars Momentum Fund, focusing on scholarships for underserved students, creating an Institute for Applied Sustainability, supporting President Rick Bailey’s entrepreneurial endeavors, and electrifying the campus with electric vehicles and charging stations.
Read the full story on how DeBoer emphasizes the ripple effect of giving, aiming to inspire other businesses to engage with SOU’s sustainability initiatives.
You Funded Student Success
Student success encompasses academic achievement but also personal growth, resilience, and the development of critical skills that empower students to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the broader world. Dale Vidmar’s four-decade relationship with SOU embodies the power of education, community, and the pivotal role of libraries. Dale’s establishment of the Dale Vidmar Scholarship Fund reflects his commitment to giving back and nurturing future generations, acknowledging that even a seemingly modest scholarship can significantly impact a student’s educational journey.
Read more here about how Dale Vidmar contributed to student success through directed scholarship support to library workers.
You Created Living Legacies
SOU makes an impact on those who attend and 2% of our donors come from alumni. Bernie De Costa is one of those alums whose gift will continue his legacy of giving in support of student academics and success. In honor of Bernie’s profound connection to SOU and his belief in the transformative power of education, his widow, Mary Maselli, and brother, Norbert De Costa, established the Bernard De Costa Scholarship Fund for Asian Pacific Islanders. Bernie’s life, shaped by the “aloha spirit” of care and compassion, serves as an inspiration to future generations pursuing higher education, reflecting his commitment to giving back and finding joy in connecting with others.
Read about Bernie’s inspiring journey to SOU and how his family shaped a gift in his legacy of the aloha spirit.