Laura and Mike Naumes share a profound love for Oregon agriculture and community, which dates back to 1907 when Mike’s grandfather, J.P. Naumes, grew apples in Hood River. Mike’s father, Joe Naumes, started the present company, Naumes Inc., in 1946 after serving four years in the U.S. Navy.

While Naumes, Inc. is primarily known for its pear orchards in Oregon, the company also manages 100 acres of wine grapes, a direct result of initiating new product lines to diversify their holdings. Operations also include their own packing and cold storage facilities, a custom crush winery, a tasting room, and production of estate wines sold under the Naumes Family Vineyards and Naumes Suncrest labels.

The Naumes family’s intergenerational legacy has deeply influenced their philanthropic endeavors and community engagement—values passed down by their parents and extended through their business operations. The Joe and Frances Naumes Family Foundation was initially funded by Mike’s mother, Frances Naumes, to support a variety of community organizations in the Rogue Valley, including Southern Oregon University.

The decision to create an endowed scholarship fund at SOU was influenced by the family’s community values, the university leadership, the unique initiatives of SOU’s academic programs, and the family’s interest in education. Mike and Laura were both impressed by President Rick Bailey’s out-of-the box thinking, his strategic direction for the institution, and his collaborative focus on students. They see true value in SOU’s role as a university, especially in a rural community, and understand how SOU directly impacts local business and the economy.

When crafting their gifts to SOU, Laura and Mike zeroed in on helping students who are just below the top academic tier and who possess strong leadership potential. The scholarship prioritizes first-generation students and Latinx students in honor of the many Latinx people who work for their company. “We hope this scholarship will give students an opportunity they might not otherwise have, allowing them to become great contributors to society,” said Mike.

Additionally, a portion of their gift will support the business dean to promote faculty development and support other initiatives in the School of Business. “Our vision is to cultivate a new generation of leaders who will take ownership, contribute to society, and create businesses of their own,” shared Laura.