Two Lives Well-Lived
August 9th, 2011Oregon lost two stalwarts this week, Carolyn Chambers ’53 and former Oregon governor and U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield. They contributed to making Oregon and the UO what they are today.
Ms. Chambers and Sen. Hatfield were both recognized by the UO for their many contributions and were recipients of our highest honors, the Pioneer Award and the Distinguished Service Award.
There are examples of Sen. Hatfield’s contributions in every corner of the state, including helping to transform the University of Oregon. His support for higher education and research, particularly research funded by the National Institutes of Health, helped research universities nationwide. Willamette Hall and other UO science facilities were made possible thanks to Sen. Hatfield’s leadership as a member of the Senate Appropriations committee.
Carolyn Chambers was a one-of-a-kind Duck, distinguished by her business acumen and her philanthropy. She was also a friend and Jan and I will miss her. We are a better community and a better university because of Carolyn’s loyalty and leadership. It is fitting that almost every day there are hundreds of new Ducks and their families gathering in the Carolyn Silva Chambers Student Orientation Classroom in our new Ford Alumni Center. The generosity of Carolyn and her family will continue to serve the UO for generations to come.
Oregonians are sons and daughters of trail blazers--hearty and self-reliant, stubborn, independent, brave, not afraid to take risks. Mark Hatfield and Carolyn Chambers embodied that spirit, and they made Oregon a better place for all.
