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Lithia pledges $12 million partnership with SOU By Morgan Rothborne Updated: Sep 14, 2022 08:13 PM A A The Lithia Motors pledge is “by far” the largest philanthropic gift ever for SOU Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey, left, listens to Bryan DeBoer, president and CEO of Lithia Motors, after it was announced Wednesday the company would be donating $12 million over 10 years to fund scholarships and special programs. [Photo by Denise Baratta] In a Wednesday evening ceremony resplendent with balloons, wine and an applauding audience, Southern Oregon University announced a multimillion dollar gift from Lithia Motors and the school’s ambitious plans to put that money to work. Lithia Motors has pledged $12 million over the next 10 years in a partnership designed to provide the university with tools to offset tuition costs, offer new scholarships and internships, and to achieve enhanced affordability through increased sustainability — which includes “electrifying” the campus with electric vehicles and charging stations. SOU President Rick Bailey referred to the fund, called the Lithia and Green Cars Momentum Fund “as the single largest philanthropic gift by far in the 150-year history of this institution,” as he spoke behind a podium at the doors of Hannon Library. According to Bailey, $5 million will go to the scholarship program and an attached leadership program, $4 million will create an Institute for Applied Sustainability, and $1 million will go toward what Bailey referred to as “transforming the campus.” The contributions will be used “to propel the university forward by investing in people and programs to implement the university’s and the company’s shared vision of sustainability and diversity,” said a press release from the university. The scholarship program will include student financial aid awards and a leadership development program designed to recruit and retain first-generation and/or “minoritized populations” traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The Institute for Applied Sustainability will be anchored by four faculty members and two administrators, and the mission will be to identify and implement initiatives that move the university toward a sustainable campus, the release said. Institute members will collaborate with executives from Lithia to develop projects and programs, such as the creation of a national sustainability conference, an academic credential in corporate sustainability and a national sustainability demonstration site. The $1 million President’s Fund will “support the university president’s efforts to develop new ways of solving complex problems and support innovation and entrepreneurship,” the release said. Bailey referred to Lithia Motors as a partner and a north star in “our effort to be the first public university in the country to make all of our electricity on our own campus.” The sustainability institute, Bailey said, will work with Lithia to create projects to “move the needle” on sustainability. Lithia Motors will also continue to support the Lithia & GreenCars/Raider Golf Tournament, the release said. Proceeds from the annual tournament provide scholarships to student-athletes. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected] or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.