Dam Proud Day 2025 was a historic one for the Honors College, as our community came together to set new records for number of donors and total dollars raised, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the Honors College and 65 years of honors education at Oregon State. Thanks to 189 individual donors, the college raised over $80,000 in support of student scholarships, far surpassing the college’s goal of 120 gifts for the day. Both the dollars raised and number of gifts are new highs for the college.
“This year’s campaign was about more than meeting a goal — it was about celebrating the strength and future of honors education,” says Honors College Dean Toni Doolen. “Our community’s generosity sends a clear message: honors education should be accessible to all qualified students, regardless of financial circumstances. I’m so grateful to everyone who made this possible.”
All donations supported differential tuition and experiential learning scholarships — key sources of support for the more-than 30% of Honors College students who have financial need. Together, donors unlocked over $60,000 in challenge gifts from alumni, faculty, families and friends of the Honors College:
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The Honors College Alumni Challenge of $12,004, was contributed by Victoria Price, ’15; Kyle, ’00, and Stacie, ’99, Shaver; and Grant, ’04, and Danielle, ’03, Cyrus.
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The Honors Program Alumni Challenge of $12,004 was made possible by Karen Bolin, ’82; Duane, ’77, and Rebecca Coen; Wilfred James, ’90; Ron Masters, ’83; and Bennet Yee, ’86.
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The Alumni Challenge of $12,004 was contributed by Judy, ’69, and John, ’69, Jendrzejewski; and Gary, ’88, and Jody Hilberg.
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The Honors College Faculty Challenge of $12,004 was unlocked with 90 gifts and included contributions from Kerry Ahearn; Kevin Ahern, ’86, and Indira Rajagopal; Dan and Wanda Arp; Toni, Ph.D. ’01, and Erick Doolen; Jaga and Tom Giebultowicz; Joe Hendricks and Hazel Reeves; and Jim and Bonnie Krueger.
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The Parents and Families Challenge of $12,004 was contributed by Meena and Kevin Baker; Aaron and Dr. Dildora Beaulieu; Marc and Linda Carrasco; Amy and Stefan Groetsch; Dana, ’90, and Keith, ’94, Hammer; Dan, ’81, and Margaret Porth; Jill and Randy Thomas; Susan Lair and Doug Trobough; and Ngone Vaugh.
“I continue to be inspired by how our alumni, faculty, families and friends show up for our students,” says Doolen. “As we mark three decades of the Honors College, this outpouring of support reaffirms our shared commitment to building a future where every student can thrive. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”