UO Vice President for Enrollment Management Roger Thompson observed the university's third year as a platinum sponsor of the Skanner Foundation’s Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast in Portland by presenting a $1,000 scholarship and pledging support for African American students.
Thompson told Monday's crowd at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland that he is proud of the University of Oregon's sponsorship role at the breakfast, and of its commitment to provide higher education opportunities for students of all ethnicities. He pointed out that African American students at the UO have a higher graduation rate than those at any other public university in the state.
"The university is committed to grow its enrollment of African American students, and to provide the inspiration and resources they need to succeed," Thompson said.
The UO is the exclusive platinum-level higher education sponsor for the breakfast, now in its 28th year. In addition to awarding the scholarship, Thompson offered UO gift bags to the nearly 1,000 people in attendance.
The Skanner Foundation breakfast each year honors the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., in Portland. This year's keynote speaker was Bruce Goldberg, a family practice physician and former director of the Oregon Health Authority who is now serving as acting director of Cover Oregon, the state's health insurance exchange.
Other speakers at the two-hour event addressed challenges faced by members of Portland’s African American community and the importance of education.
The Skanner Foundation is the philanthropic side of The Skanner, a website and newspaper published in Portland and Seattle for a largely African American readership. The newspaper has served the Portland area since 1975 and the Seattle area since 1990.
- from the UO Office of Strategic Communication