The University of Portland has announced a gift of $100,000 from the late William Isaac Phillips, a University alumnus who passed away in January, 2012. His gift will establish a scholarship fund in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Phillips was born in Bell, California and spent his childhood in southern California. After graduating from El Monte High School in 1943 he served in the U.S. Navy during the end of World War II. He attended the University of Portland on the G.I. bill and in 1950 graduated with honors with a degree in physics.
He began his career as a sales representative with C&H Supply Company in Seattle. In 1966, he established Western Technical Sales with a home office in Bellevue, Wash., and later opened offices in Portland and Spokane. He and his wife Marilyn lived in La Conner, Wash.
The gift is part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million over the next several years. The RISE Campaign, which has raised more than $138 million to date, is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.
The campaign’s goals are divided into four major themes, each with funding targets: (1) Pursuing academic excellence and faculty funding — $70 million; (2) Providing access for all students and direct assistance — $45 million; (3) Developing faith and leadership – $10 million; and (4) Enriching the campus community and physical resources — $50 million.