A Campus that Cares

Korrin B.

April 17, 2010 - 9:00 PM

On a rainy, freezing day back in December 2005, I shivered my way around the University of Oregon campus with my dad and our tour guide. It was one of the worst days we could have ever gone to visit, but as the slushy rain hit my umbrella, I knew it was the right school for me. Four years later, I believe more than ever in my decision.

Last week, I received the exciting news that I had been named a Carter Center intern for this upcoming summer. The path that got me to this point had been paved with the support of my department and key faculty members throughout campus. I was overwhelmed with congratulations in the following days, but there was still one big question looming over my head - how was I going to fund this incomparable opportunity? A 10-week unpaid internship on the other side of the country is a hefty cost for an already debt-ridden college student. What unfolded next in my story is still almost unreal to me.

Rhonda Smith, the PPPM internship director, sent out an email to David Hubin, Senior Assistant to the President, to inform him of my offer with The Carter Center. She mentioned that funding was a big issue for me and asked whether he had any ideas on ways I could find some sponsorship. Next thing I knew, I felt as though I had the entire University on my side. I felt as though my campus truly cared about me and wanted me to be able to have this incredible experience. So many inspiring individuals on campus were busily at work, looking for places to find funding for my internship. The support was truly amazing. My entire belief in the power of higher education and the quality of my University entered a Renaissance. The University of Oregon was truly standing up for education and student opportunity.

I don't think I will ever forget the moment when I checked my campus email account and saw an email from Rhonda Smith with the subject, "You have FULL funding from the UO!" I got chills all over and I had to reread the email over and over again to make sure it was not a dream. I could not believe that my school had cared so much about making this experience happen that they had managed to pool resources together to fund my entire trip. I immediately called my parents who were just about as thrilled as I was. They were speechless, as was I.

My funding came from four different, caring departments on campus that all wanted to be a part of this prestigious opportunity.

1. I must thank the Robert D. Clark Honors College. The fact that the Honors College came through as one of the main donors for my trip affirms my passion for the department. I feel incredibly valued as a student in the Honors College and greatly appreciate its hardworking, knowledgeable faculty.

2. I am also grateful for the School of Architecture and Allied Arts that teamed with the Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management to contribute to my fund. Both of my minors and my major are through the AAA School. I have learned so much in these fields and am deeply touched that my department and the AAA School as a whole support my pursuits in applying my knowledge this summer.

3. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has a lot of work to do this time of the year. I was very thankful when I heard that, despite their current inundation with applications for student aid for the upcoming 2010-11 academic year, they took the time to find some extra funding for my summer internship. Financial Aid does not have an easy job and I really admire their diligence in trying to best allocate funds to students.

4. The final piece of my funding came from the Office of the President and Provosts. I was incredibly humbled by the fact that one of the top offices at the University of Oregon was behind me in this trip. The fact that the head UO administration wants to be involved in making this type of opportunity available to a student shows the extreme care that this campus has for its students. At the end of the day, the UO is truly a place for higher learning, the pursuit of which is supported wholeheartedly by every sector of the school.

It has been quite a ride this past week. I went from being interviewed by The Carter Center to receiving an offer to being informed that my University would be backing me in full.

I am a Carter Center intern. And I am a University of Oregon Duck.

An extra thank you must go out to the following people for helping to find the funding for this dream: David Hubin, David Frank, Doug Blandy, Rich Margerum, Renee Irvin, Marilyn Linton, James Bean, and Elizabeth Bickford.