Couple gives $2.4 million to endow scholarship

Like many of OSU's Johnson Scholars, Paul Dornath wants to use his OSU education to make the world a better place after he graduates.

Thanks in part to the Johnson Scholarship, Dornath is getting to do just that while still a student at Oregon State. High atop the roof of the Kelley Engineering Center, the chemical engineering junior is conducting research to determine whether or not plastic water bottles exposed to prolonged sunlight leach toxins into the drinking water.

During a trip to India, Dornath noticed bottles stored in direct sunlight and started wondering about the effects heat and light might have on the water's chemistry.

"Ever since I was tiny, I've always wanted to study science," says Dornath, who attended Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon. "Chemical engineering is a perfect fit, and the Johnson Scholarship is really awesome because it comes with scholarship support plus a paid internship."

Johnson Scholars receive $11,000 over four years, including a paid summer internship at an Oregon company or university lab the summer following their freshman year.

Pete Johnson, a 1955 chemical engineering alumnus, and his wife Rosalie started funding the Johnson Scholars program in 1998. The couple recently endowed the program with a $2.4 million gift, ensuring that the scholarships will continue in perpetuity—helping recipients like Dornath achieve their dreams.

The Johnsons' gift is part of the university-wide Scholarship Initiative aimed at raising $100 million for student support as part of The Campaign for OSU. The Johnsons hope their gift inspires others to support OSU students.

"It's a wonderful way to give back," said Pete Johnson. "My education at Oregon State has served me very well in my life, and Rosalie and I want to help future OSU students have the opportunities we had by supporting them through scholarships."

Read more

Local couple gives $2.4M to OSU Corvallis Gazette-Times

Couple adds $2.4M to OSU scholarships Portland Business Journal

 

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