As part of her scholarship, chemical engineering student Staci Van Norman interned on a project to develop a new way to patch gas pipelines.
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Scholarship Initiative seeks $100 million for students
Johnsons’ $2.4 million gift for engineering scholarships advances effort
Senior Staci Van Norman will have her name on a new patent — a feat that’s almost unheard of for undergraduates. But Staci is no ordinary undergraduate, and thanks to a scholarship, her experience at OSU has been extraordinary.
Raised in the southern Oregon logging town of Glendale, Staci received the Peter and Rosalie Johnson Scholarship at OSU, which offers tuition support and a paid summer internship. Staci worked with chemical engineering professor Skip Rochefort developing a patented adhesive patch technology that cuts the time and cost of repairing buried natural gas pipelines.
“Being a Johnson Scholar has been a great opportunity for me,” said Staci. “The combination of scholarship support, internships, and mentoring has helped solidify everything I’ve learned here at Oregon State. It’s made me want to keep learning and help the world.”
A 1955 engineering alumnus, Peter Johnson and his wife, Rosalie, started funding the scholarship for chemical engineering students ten years ago. Recently the couple gave $2.4 million to endow the scholarship, ensuring it will continue to support students in perpetuity.
The Johnsons’ gift comes as the university launches a new Scholarship Initiative aimed at raising $100 million for student support as part of The Campaign for OSU.
“Meeting our goal for scholarships may be the most important achievement of this campaign,” said OSU President Ed Ray. “Scholarships have a direct impact not just on students but on our society. The Johnsons are tremendous examples. Through their scholarship, they’ve helped more than 100 students — who have gone on to successful careers in Oregon and around the world.”
The Johnsons hope their gift will inspire others to support students. “It’s a wonderful way to give back,” said Pete, who also grew up in a small Oregon logging town. “My education at Oregon State has served me very well in my life, and Rosalie and I want to help future OSU students have the opportunities we had by supporting them through scholarships.”
For Staci, whose future plans include attending graduate school to study renewable energy, the Johnsons’ generosity has been life-changing. As more donors join the Scholarship Initiative, more students will have the chance to learn and achieve their dreams through an OSU education.
For more information about establishing a scholarship, contact Tom McLennan at 541-737-0847 or Tom.McLennan@oregonstate.edu.
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