News
Drew Estate Gift to Triple Scholarships for PSU's Graduate Teacher Education Program
PSU’s Graduate School of Education (GSE) has received a gift of $700,000 from the estate of Janette Drew, a philanthropist and longtime Portland resident who passed away on January 20, 2003, at the age of 94.
The estate gift is the largest in the GSE’s history, and brings Drew’s contributions to her endowment to over $1 million — tripling the annual scholarship dollars available for students in PSU’s Graduate Teacher Education Program and allowing larger awards for eight to ten students during a time of rapidly increasing tuition.
In 1993, Janette Drew established two scholarships for Portland State students who wanted to be teachers and who had shown community leadership in the Metro area. Drew then gave $100,000 to start her endowment for the scholarships in 1995 and gifted her residence to the GSE in 1998 to increase the endowment. A total of 55 scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the Drew scholarships.
"Janette Drew had a deep appreciation for the importance of teachers in the lives of children and young people," said Phyllis Edmundson, dean of the Graduate School of Education. "She gave generously of her spirit and her resources, taking great joy in following the progress of the Drew Scholars through their letters and personal connections with a number of them."
Born on May 1, 1908, Janette Gunther Drew called Portland home for most of her life. She attended the University of Oregon and married Everett “Sid” Drew, an engineer, in 1936. Janette Drew established and funded scholarships for students at Portland State University, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University.
“Janette had intended to teach before her marriage to Sid Drew changed those plans. Although she and Sid had no children, Janette felt very strongly an investment in public education could provide opportunities for students at all levels,” said Chuck Putney, longtime friend and advisor. “She chose to focus on teacher development as her way of supporting a quality experience, a stronger city of Portland and state of Oregon.”
“Students who benefited from Janette Drew’s generosity talked about the importance of her belief in them and the value of the financial assistance her gifts provided,” said Dean Edmundson. “This wonderful gift will expand the number of Drew Scholars we can assist each year, and their contributions in schools across the region will be a living tribute to this gracious and thoughtful woman.”
The Graduate School of Education is Oregon’s largest and most comprehensive school of education. Its faculty collaborates with PSU students, as well as the community’s teachers and administrators, to create effective educational environments that are sensitive to the diverse needs of an urban setting.
The estate gift is the largest in the GSE’s history, and brings Drew’s contributions to her endowment to over $1 million — tripling the annual scholarship dollars available for students in PSU’s Graduate Teacher Education Program and allowing larger awards for eight to ten students during a time of rapidly increasing tuition.
In 1993, Janette Drew established two scholarships for Portland State students who wanted to be teachers and who had shown community leadership in the Metro area. Drew then gave $100,000 to start her endowment for the scholarships in 1995 and gifted her residence to the GSE in 1998 to increase the endowment. A total of 55 scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the Drew scholarships.
"Janette Drew had a deep appreciation for the importance of teachers in the lives of children and young people," said Phyllis Edmundson, dean of the Graduate School of Education. "She gave generously of her spirit and her resources, taking great joy in following the progress of the Drew Scholars through their letters and personal connections with a number of them."
Born on May 1, 1908, Janette Gunther Drew called Portland home for most of her life. She attended the University of Oregon and married Everett “Sid” Drew, an engineer, in 1936. Janette Drew established and funded scholarships for students at Portland State University, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University.
“Janette had intended to teach before her marriage to Sid Drew changed those plans. Although she and Sid had no children, Janette felt very strongly an investment in public education could provide opportunities for students at all levels,” said Chuck Putney, longtime friend and advisor. “She chose to focus on teacher development as her way of supporting a quality experience, a stronger city of Portland and state of Oregon.”
“Students who benefited from Janette Drew’s generosity talked about the importance of her belief in them and the value of the financial assistance her gifts provided,” said Dean Edmundson. “This wonderful gift will expand the number of Drew Scholars we can assist each year, and their contributions in schools across the region will be a living tribute to this gracious and thoughtful woman.”
The Graduate School of Education is Oregon’s largest and most comprehensive school of education. Its faculty collaborates with PSU students, as well as the community’s teachers and administrators, to create effective educational environments that are sensitive to the diverse needs of an urban setting.
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Sources:
Sandy Wiscarson (503-725-4789)
PSU Graduate School of Education
Release Number: 04-032
