Portland, OR. More than 500 people attended the annual Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) Gala to support efforts to spread science education across the Pacific Northwest. Governor Kate Brown, Piper Park, Kathy Rudd and Pat Reser were on hand for the May 4th gala. The benefit, which took place at OMSI, grossed more than $1.5 million through sponsorships, ticket sales and an auction, making it the nonprofit museum’s most successful event to date. This year’s gala, titled ‘Diamond Jubilee,’ commemorated OMSI’s 75th anniversary.
Trond Ingvaldsen, Turid Owren, Jon Jaqua, Kimberly Cooper and Wally Van Valkenburg
Marcia Randall and Kristin Rogers
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle and wife Ann visit with Senator Ron Wyden (center)
Marcus Lintner, Linda Rae Hickey and OMSI Emeritus Board Chair Gary Maffei strike a pose in the Durham and Bates Photo Lounge. Photos by KLiK Concepts (Kenton Waltz and Erin Riddle)
Courtney Cooper, Christine Vernier, OMSI President & CEO Nancy Stueber, Dan Stueber and OMSI Emeritus Trustee David Vernier enjoy the cocktail reception.
Sisters Kathy Deggendorfer and Sally Bany visit with OMSI Emeritus Board Chair Gary Maffei during the cocktail hour.
Guests are showered with confetti as the record-breaking $1,535,000 total is announced.
Governor Brown celebrates the evening with the Starella Sisters.
Guests enjoy the Gala After Dark after-party.
Thomas Lauderdale, China Forbes and the entire Pink Martini collective entertain OMSI’s guests at the Gala After Dark after-party.
OMSI celebrates the notion that everyone can be a successful science learner. Regardless of where they live or how much money they have – everyone has the right to feel the joy of curiosity, the thrill of exploration and the power of innovation and problem solving. This is why funds raised at the gala are used for the museum’s statewide education outreach efforts, financial aid programs and a multitude of learning and development initiatives.
“It’s so important for everyone to have access to science and technology,” said Nancy Stueber, president and CEO of OMSI. “Science learning starts with the spark of curiosity and asking questions. We want to keep the spark alive with hands-on learning experiences. The money we raised at the gala will help us further our goals for science learning, both in the experiences we will create and the access we can provide.”
OMSI has been a part of Oregon’s community for 75 years. Founded in 1944 by a group of volunteers, who wanted to show Oregonians and the world just how special and unique this place is, the museum continues to put the “O” in its name as it serves all of Oregon. From the very beginning, the museum was built by the community for the community.
“This year’s gala was a resounding success because it demonstrates the level of commitment and support we have from the community,” said Love Centerwall, vice president of development at OMSI. “As a private, non-profit organization, about one-third of our annual budget comes from our generous donors. OMSI’s quality experiences, financial aid program, and broad reach would not be possible without them.”
Anyone can get involved and assist OMSI in its ongoing efforts to extend science-learning across Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Visit www.omsi.edu/donate or send an email to [email protected] for more information.
About OMSI
Our Mission
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) inspires curiosity through engaging science learning experiences, fosters experimentation and the exchange of ideas, and stimulates informed action.
OMSI is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and relies on admissions, memberships, and donations to continue our educational mission, programs, and exhibits.
Portland, OR. Henry Winkler was the featured speaker at a benefit for Park Academy. The sold out event on June 16th, was the second annual gala for the academy which offers programs for students with learning differences; it drew nearly 300 supporters. Henry Winkler, who posed with sponsors Debbie Lanphere, and Bob Lanphere, Jr., spoke about his struggle with dyslexia and how it shaped him. The benefit raised $389,000 for the Park Academy Scholarship Fund, which ensures all students have an equal opportunity to receive the education they need in order to be successful.
Heather Killough, Piper Park, and Ray Park.
The Park Academy Board of Directors surprises Paula Kinney, past Head of School, with a scholarship fund in her name.
Guests commented on how Henry Winkler’s challenges were similar to the lives of many Park Academy students. Students were inspired by his success and encouragement. Winkler told the kids they were, “Brilliant and smart.” Organizers say Winkler’s kindness and generosity left a mark on the school.
About Park Academy:
History
Park Academy is a small non-profit private school founded by Piper Park, a parent who wanted to give other students the opportunity that her son received by attending a school that addressed his dyslexic challenge. Ms. Park’s dream became a reality when she opened the doors of Park Academy in September 2005.
Mission
Park Academy empowers students with diverse learning challenges to reach their highest potential of giftedness while excelling academically and becoming responsible citizens and community leaders.
Who We Serve
Park Academy is a college preparatory school for students challenged with dyslexia and other language related learning differences. Our extraordinarily committed staff offers educational support to students whose needs have not been met in a traditional school setting.
Students come from all over the Portland metropolitan area and represent a variety of skills and learning profiles. The reading curriculum is developed around research-based, multisensory methodologies. These instructional approaches address students’ learning differences through auditory, visual, and kinesthetic modalities.
Organizers thanked their supporters and sponsors including:
Presenting Sponsor
The Lanphere Family of Dealerships and The Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association
Lake Oswego, June 25th, 2015. Park Academy hosted its first ever benefit featuring a lighthearted talk with Larry King. School Founder, Piper Park, had a chance to pose with 81 year old news personality. The veteran news personality entertained the over 150 guests during an interview conducted by Margie Boulé. The event raised $256,800 for the school. Funds will benefit the Park Academy Scholarship Program, which ensures deserving students are able to receive the instruction they need to help address their dyslexia.
This inaugural event allowed the school an opportunity to share their mission and reflect on the critical need for students with dyslexia to receive an educational experience that meets their unique learning profiles.
The evening consisted of a cocktail hour, followed by dinner, a live auction, then an interview with Ms. Boulé and Mr. King. Being dyslexic herself, Margie shared how she has always seen her dyslexia as a gift rather than a deficit.
Using evidence-based teaching methodologies and individualized instruction, Park Academy serves grades 3-12 and fills a critical void in the traditional education system.
Park Academy, which is located in Lake Oswego, is unique because it provides articulated elementary through high school curriculum specifically designed for students with dyslexia.
Park Academy students are enjoying great success. According to Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, “Dyslexia affects 1 out of 5 people. It crosses racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines, and with proper instruction and accommodations, it can be remediated.”
Park Academy serves students with dyslexia and other language learning differences in grades 3-12. Using the Orton Gillingham-based multi-sensory instructional methodology, students develop fundamental academic skills. The Academy offers a low student-to-teacher ratio with a complete range of core academic and enrichment classes, including Theater, Spanish, Visual Arts, Music, Videography, Culinary Arts and Physical Education.
Founded in 2015, Park Academy is located on South Shore Boulevard in Lake Oswego, approximately ten minutes south of downtown Portland. Park Academy is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (AdvancED) and is a designated Subscriber School with Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). These organizations provide both program oversight and professional development resources.
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