Pacific University Board of Trustees Adds Member and Names an Honorary Trustee

The Pacific University Board of Trustees will welcome new member Matt Lowe to its ranks.

Lowe is a partner with O’Donnell Clark & Crew in Portland, where he specializes in taxation law and the formation of nonprofit organization. He is particularly well known for his support of the charter school community and his work in campaign finance and election law.

Prior to joining O’Donnell & Clark in 1999, he clerked for Steinman Cooper Wiscarson in Portland, worked as chief of staff for Oregon Sen. Tom Hartung, and served as legislative assistant for Sen. Bob Packwood.

He also has served as past president and board member of the Dorchester Conference. He is a board member for Faith Bible Christian School in Hillsboro, allied director of the Oregon Society of Association Management, and professional adviser and volunteer for several state and federal political campaigns and ballot measures.

The Board of Trustees approved Lowe’s membership at its meeting March 8, and Lowe will join the board at its next meeting in May.

Lowe follows in a family legacy of service to Pacific University, where his parents, David ‘63 and Sandy Lowe ’78, MAT ‘82, were active alumni. David Lowe served on the Pacific University Board of Trustees from 2005 until his untimely death in 2011, and prior to that, he worked in university advancement at Pacific for 17 years. David and Sandy Lowe were killed in a car accident in February 2011. The Pacific University Alumni Association’s alumni service award is named in their honor.

The Board of Trustees also named Ruth Burlingham an honorary trustee. She is the widow of Trustee Emeritus George Burlingham, who died in January. The Burlinghams have been tremendous supporters of Pacific University, through George’s service and through their ongoing generosity. The couple received the Harvey Clark Award in recognition of their dedicated leadership and vision for higher education and their support for Pacific University, and Burlingham Hall is named in their honor.

Ruth Burlingham has made significant contributions to Tuality Healthcare, serving over 27 years on various boards at Tuality, including Chairman of the Board. Ruth continues to serve on numerous committees for Tuality’s Foundation and is an emeritus member of the board. She has helped raise funds for the Tuality Cancer Center, employee scholarships drives, community education and diabetes programs, renovation of the Baker Memorial Healing Garden and to the Salud! Auction which provides medical and dental care to vineyard workers and their families. George and Ruth are among the hospital’s Ivy League donor level, which is designated for those whose lifetime gifts exceed $100,000.

They are also members of the Heritage Society reserved for donors who have made a lasting commitment through an estate or planned gift. In addition, the Burlinghams donate to the Oregon Community Foundation where Ruth served on the Metropolitan Portland Leadership Council from 2003 to 2006. The Burlinghams have been supporters of the “I Have a Dream Foundation” and Forest Grove High School’s ‘Hall of Fame Founder’s Club.’ 

Friday, March 14, 2014