Phil and Penny Knight Donate $1B to University of Oregon for New Engineering School
The gift will fund a full undergraduate engineering program as Oregon seeks to address a statewide engineer shortage, officials said.
- On Wednesday, Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny Knight, committed $1 billion to the University of Oregon to establish a new engineering college in Eugene, Ore.
- This historic gift, the largest known donation to a U.S. public university, brings the family's total contributions to the University to more than $2 billion.
- Housed at the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, the college will create a full undergraduate engineering program to address Oregon's severe shortage of engineers.
- University President Karl Scholz faces difficult budget conversations, as the school plans about $65 million in cuts despite the significant donation amid eroding enrollment.
- Rejecting national cynicism about higher education, Phil Knight stated, "This is no time to abandon them," defending American universities as sources of essential opportunity.
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The Virgin Islands Daily News
$1 Billion Donation to University of Oregon Makes History
University of Oregon leaders have long been accustomed to big checks from Phil Knight, a Nike co-founder whose surname is splashed on everything from the library to the law center.
Nike Phil Knight's co-founder and his wife Penny donated a billion dollars to the University of Oregon.
Billionaire Nike cofounder Phil Knight gives $1 billion to his alma mater: ‘This is no time to abandon’ higher education
Phil and Penny Knight are funding a new engineering college at the University of Oregon, the largest known gift to a U.S. public flagship university.
Phil Knight Gifts Univ. of Oregon $1B for Engineering College
Phil Knight Gifts Univ. of Oregon $1B for Engineering College Susan H. Greenberg Thu, 09/24/2026 - 03:00 AM Byline(s) Susan H. Greenberg Phil Knight Gifts Univ. of Oregon $1B for Engineering College Susan H. Greenberg Thu, 09/24/2026 - 03:00 AM Byline(s) Susan H. Greenberg
Phil and Penny Knight donate $1B to create UO engineering college
Phil and Penny Knight have made the largest donation to a comprehensive public university in the United States, and it's Phil's alma mater. They're committing $1 billion to the University of Oregon for a new engineering college at the Knight…
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