Schnitzer gift powers a bold global vision for UO school
The $25 million investment names the
Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages
By Korrin Bishop
May 13, 2025
A landmark $25 million commitment from one of Oregon’s most prominent philanthropic families is the largest-ever to the University of Oregon’s College of Arts and Sciences and will fuel significant advancements in global education and research.
The commitment from Portland real estate developer, philanthropist and UO alumnus Jordan Schnitzer and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, announced May 13, will elevate the university’s global studies programs and help prepare new generations of international leaders. In recognition of the extraordinary investment, the UO’s School of Global Studies and Languages will be renamed the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.
The commitment from Portland real estate developer, philanthropist and UO alumnus Jordan Schnitzer and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, announced May 13, will elevate the university’s global studies programs and help prepare new generations of international leaders.
In recognition of the extraordinary investment, the UO’s School of Global Studies and Languages will be renamed the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.
Jordan Schnitzer
Jordan Schnitzer
Jordan Schnitzer
Jordan Schnitzer
“The challenges facing our world today are vast and complex,” UO President Karl Scholz said. “Solutions will require bold ideas, cross-disciplinary collaboration and thoughtful dialogue. This incredible gift from the Schnitzer family will be a powerful catalyst, empowering our faculty, students and staff to address these critical issues.
“We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which strengthens the UO’s role as a trailblazer in fostering critical inquiry, logical reasoning, effective communication, creative action and ethical leadership on a global scale.”
The gift will help raise the national and global profiles of the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.
The gift will help raise the national and global profiles of the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.
Accelerating global impact
The Schnitzer family said it is investing in the program to foster greater collaboration and understanding that will benefit communities around the world. In a time of great global change, the gift from Schnitzer and his family foundation develops and empowers the next generation of global leaders and problem-solvers.
“At this moment of world history, the importance of the school cannot be overstated,” said Aneesh Aneesh, a professor of global studies and executive director of the Schnitzer School. “Caught between the forces of globalization and still-resilient communal loyalties, every society is facing contradictory pulls on its social fabric.
“Whether graduates of the Schnitzer School are employed in foreign service, NGOs, think tanks, global businesses or the public sector, they will help light up the path forward in a divided world. They will be our contribution to the global public good.”
Karl Scholz (left), Chris Poulsen (center) and Aneesh Aneesh (right)
Karl Scholz (left), Chris Poulsen (center) and Aneesh Aneesh (right)
The UO will use the gift to raise the Schnitzer School’s national and global profile, with the aim of positioning it among the top schools in international studies. That includes funding for the newly established Center for Global Futures, an interdisciplinary hub of scholars and practitioners dedicated to understanding, educating about, and preparing for future trends and challenges across our world. Key initiatives will include:
- Distinguished lectures featuring renowned speakers on topics of global significance, engaging academics, policymakers and the public.
- Flagship annual academic conferences designed to foster scholarly exchange, promote networking and establish the center as a leader in global futures research.
- A global fellows and visiting scholars-in-residence program to invite top-tier scholars and practitioners, including international journalists, to collaborate on cutting-edge research.
- The Harold Schnitzer Scholar Prize awarded through a competitive process at the annual academic conference to honor excellence in global research.
“We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which strengthens the UO’s role as a trailblazer in fostering critical inquiry, logical reasoning, effective communication, creative action and ethical leadership on a global scale.”
Karl Scholz
UO President
The Yamada Language Center became part of the School of Global Studies and Languages in 2022.
The Yamada Language Center became part of the School of Global Studies and Languages in 2022.
The Schnitzer gift will further enhance research and teaching excellence, as well as student success, through:
- Seeking to establish a new major in international relations, offering students an in-depth, interdisciplinary approach to global issues.
- Allocating funds toward faculty excellence, providing awards to attract and retain top-tier faculty in global studies and languages, and supporting the hiring of a tenure-track, eminent senior scholar.
- Supporting graduate students, including recruiting and assisting them in their research and teaching, while expanding the doctoral student population within the Schnitzer School.
- Providing Arlene Schnitzer scholarships, need-based awards for undergraduate students in the Schnitzer School who study abroad or engage in international co-curricular programs.
- Offering professional advising and global internship support, including guidance on international internships, job placements and alumni networks, covering precollege, college and postgraduation engagement.
A historic investment
The Schnitzer family’s legacy of philanthropy and civic service has played a vital role in shaping Oregon. Throughout their lifetimes, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer exemplified a deep commitment to excellence and social responsibility, dedicating their time, wisdom and resources to causes that reflected their values and faith.
Their son, Jordan Schnitzer, partnered with them in their philanthropic endeavors and today spearheads the family’s dynamic legacy of support, which extends to the University of Oregon, including a lead gift during the renovation and expansion of the UO’s art museum, which led to its renaming as the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.
“Today, it does not matter what business you’re in or who you work for. It’s a global world,” Schnitzer said. “This world is facing challenges that we have not seen for decades. I do not have the answers to eliminate hunger or end religious, ethnic or political disputes. What I do know is that we need young leaders who are prepared to make the world a better place.”
Friendly Hall will continue as the home of the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages and will be renovated as part of the Heritage Renovation Project.
Friendly Hall will continue as the home of the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages and will be renovated as part of the Heritage Renovation Project.
“Whether graduates of the Schnitzer School are employed in foreign service, NGOs, think tanks, global businesses or the public sector, they will help light up the path forward in a divided world. They will be our contribution to the global public good.”
Aneesh Aneesh
Schnitzer School Executive Director
Advancing the UO’s global footprint
As a member of the College of Arts and Sciences alumni community, Jordan Schnitzer sets an inspiring example for current students of what is possible with their degrees. His gift is a vote of confidence in the school’s ability to transform the global stage and promote positive change in the world.
“We are delighted that the school will be named in honor of the Schnitzer family, given their long commitment to social causes, philanthropy, and business,” said Chris Poulsen, the Tykeson Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Their investment will be transformative for the new school and will make possible new global experiences and engagement for our students and faculty.”
The Schnitzer School will continue to be housed in Friendly Hall on the UO’s Eugene campus following a major renovation as part of the Heritage Renovation Project. The construction is slated to begin in late summer 2025.