Molly Hightower Scholarship

University of Portland senior class to raise money for an endowed scholarship in Molly Hightower’s name

The University of Portland Class of 2010 is raising money for an endowed scholarship in the name of Molly Hightower, a 2009 alumna who perished in the earthquake in Haiti while volunteering with special needs children for Friends of the Orphans. The scholarship would be awarded to a University of Portland upperclassman with a strong devotion to faith and commitment to service.

Every year, the senior class raises funds for a gift of its choice to bestow upon the University. The 2010 senior class is aiming to take the senior gift to historic heights, setting a goal of $50,000. Last year, the 2009 senior class set a record by raising $7,001 for a new mascot. More than $6,600 has already been raised for the Molly Hightower Memorial Scholarship

“This year the senior class would like to remember a University of Portland graduate who devoted her life to the University's mission,” said Associated Students of University of Portland President Colton Coughlin said. “Molly Hightower lived out the mission of teaching, faith, and service and demonstrated this in her actions in Haiti.”

Contributions to the scholarship fund are currently being accepted. All contributions are tax-deductible and can be made online on a secure server by visiting the following link and checking the Molly Hightower Memorial Scholarship box: https://webster.up.edu/giveonline/. For further information or to make a contribution, please contact Leanne Goolsby, senior class gift advisor, at (503) 943-7878 or goolsby@up.edu.

Throughout her life and during her time at the University, Molly fulfilled her personal mission of service to others through her work in the community with those less fortunate than herself. She felt a strong call to the orphanage in Haiti and began serving there in June of 2009. Molly has been posthumously awarded the Rev. Thomas C. Oddo, C.S.C., Outstanding Service Contemporary Alumni Award. The award will be presented to Molly’s family at the President’s annual State of the University address on April 6. With the Molly Hightower Memorial Scholarship, the Class of 2010 wishes to further honor Molly’s legacy.

The senior class will be hosting a White Out Party – for which all attendees are encouraged to wear white – on Saturday, April 10 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Seven Planet, 412 NW Couch in downtown Portland. The event is open to University of Portland students who are 21 and older, with all proceeds going to the Molly Hightower Memorial Scholarship.

The senior class is also hosting a Last Lecture event on Wednesday, March 31 at 10:15 p.m. on campus in Buckley Center Auditorium, with engineering professor Tim Doughty presenting words of advice to graduating seniors. 175 extra tickets to graduation will be sold at the lecture for $10 apiece, with all proceeds going to the senior gift. The event is open to all University of Portland students.