Nike Cofounder Phil Knight Gives $1bn to University of Oregon 2026

Nike cofounder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny, have donated $1bn to the University of Oregon, marking what is believed to be the largest known donation to a flagship university. The gift will fund the creation of a new engineering school in Eugene, significantly expanding the university's academic offerings.

Historic Donation to University of Oregon

The $1bn donation was first reported by local Oregon media and the New York Times. It brings the Knight family's known total giving to the University of Oregon to more than $2bn. University president Karl Scholz said in a statement that the Knights have "a long history of believing in things before they exist" and that "they did it in 2016, and they are doing it again now, at a scale that is genuinely hard to take in."

Phil Knight, 88, is a graduate of the university. In a statement, he noted that "to make an audacious dream a reality requires more than a vivid imagination" and "the sort of opportunity that our great American universities, both public and private, have historically provided." He added, "This is no time to abandon them."

Impact on Engineering Education

The new engineering school will be named after the Knights, though the exact name has not been announced. It will be located in Eugene and is expected to open in the coming years. The donation will support faculty, research, and student scholarships, aiming to position the University of Oregon as a leader in engineering and technology.

Key Takeaways

• The $1bn gift is the largest known donation to a flagship university.
• It will establish a new engineering school at the University of Oregon.
• The Knight family's total giving to the university now exceeds $2bn.
• The donation emphasizes the importance of investing in public higher education.

Comparing Major University Donations

While the Knight gift is historic, it joins a list of transformative donations to universities. The table below compares some of the largest known gifts to U.S. universities.

Reactions and Future Plans

Scholz expressed deep gratitude, saying he is "grateful to them, and I am grateful to be here for it." The university plans to break ground on the new engineering school in the next few years. The Knights' donation is expected to spur additional investment and partnerships.

This gift underscores the growing role of private philanthropy in higher education. As public funding for universities has declined, major donations like this one are increasingly vital for maintaining academic excellence and innovation.

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