Todd Gooding '89 openly admits that he struggled as a student at the Lundquist College of Business. It wasn't until later in life that he discovered his difficulties were due to dyslexia. Today, Todd has excelled as a principal partner and chief investment officer at ScanlanKemperBard Companies, LLC, a Portland-based real estate merchant banking company. But he still remembers the challenges he faced as an undergraduate--challenges that prompted him and his wife Denise '89 to establish a scholarship endowment fund at their alma mater.

"Circumstances in life can prevent you from being a straight-A student. We wanted to reward students who show an aptitude for working hard but because of outside influences are prevented from maximizing their GPA," explained Todd.

"We are very thankful to the Lundquist College and the education it gave us," added Denise. "To give students a little help to get over that hump, so they don't have to get another job or take a semester off. That's why we wanted to help."

The Goodings explained that they have a strong affinity for the Lundquist College of Business and the University of Oregon. In fact, Todd and Denise met in the library as students. Denise was studying for a finance exam and Todd, appropriately enough, was researching scholarships. Denise's mom Virginia Sands also worked at the university health center for twenty-five years, and her father Walter is a UO alum. Furthermore, Denise noted that her parents, she, Todd, and their four children Megan, Grant, Nicole, and Thomas--are season ticket holders and never miss a Duck football game.

With such strong connections to UO, the Goodings feel blessed to be able to give back.

"We are fortunate that we have the resources to make a financial contribution to an institution that has played an important role in our family," Todd concluded.