Pacific University received a $100,000 gift from Board of Trustee member John King to establish the Sara Hopkins-Powell Endowed Scholarship Fund. The fund is in honor of Hopkins-Powell, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and former executive dean of the College of Health Professions (2005-10). She also has donated $10,000 to this fund.

“I am honored that trustee John King and the University have established a fund for graduate students in education, health professions and optometry to study and work internationally,” she said. “These experiences change lives, and my hope is that this donation encourages others to contribute so that even more students can have this opportunity.”

The fund supports student and faculty international education opportunities, as well as international students’ education at Pacific. Community service to underserved populations is usually a component of applicant proposals.

“The Sara Hopkins-Powell fund was established to encourage Pacific University College of Health Professions students to experience learning overseas,” King said. “A college education is incomplete in today’s global society without a foreign language and time spent in foreign countries.”

“I chose to honor Sara because she provided outstanding leadership as the first dean of the College of Health Professions,” King added. “Pacific University is stronger due to her vision and accomplishments.”

During the time Hopkins-Powell served as executive dean of the College of Health Professions, the College established its Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro, a highly successful Interprofessional Course and an Interprofessional Diabetes Clinic. Her leadership resulted in the expansion of the College’s services to meet the needs of underserved communities in Washington County and Portland.

King has enjoyed a distinguished career in healthcare, having served as chief executive officer for Legacy Health System from 1991-99. He is currently a consultant and a member of Pacific’s Board of Trustees since 1999.