The University of Portland has announced a RISE Campaign gift of $310,000 from the estate of Bruce and Barbara Weir, who both passed away in 2012. The gift includes a $201,000 donation to campus ministry and $109,000 to the Garaventa Center.
The Weirs had no direct connection with the University but were strong supporters of Catholic education. They both worked in government jobs for the state of Washington. After retiring, they joined the Peace Corps for a year and later purchased an orchard outside of Hood River.
Their gift is part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million by 2014. The campaign has raised more than $172 million to date and is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.