"The idea of
'sustainability' is one of the big ideas of our generation. Leaving the earth
better than when we found it must be one of the great goals of society. The
university should be an ideal place to lead our societies thinking about this
issue."
- Tim Meyer
In 2007 the University of Oregon received a $1 million grant from the T & J Meyer Family Foundation to establish the Meyer Fund for a Sustainable Environment for five years. The UO Meyer Fund for a Sustainable Environment is a five year program managed by a
steering committee of UO and LCC faculty. Approximately
$200,000 will be distributed to projects led by UO and Lane Community College (LCC) faculty each year. We are
currently entering the second year of the program and have already seen many exciting projects with local and global impacts that support the triple bottom line of sustainability.
MFSE funds are
used to support UO and LCC faculty research and teaching initiatives that contribute to
the significant challenge of developing a sustainable society. The MFSE supports critically needed projects,
encourages seed funding of innovative ideas and supports interdisciplinary
approaches to improving the economy, environment and society.
Meyer Fund Year 1 Interim Summary
About the T&J Meyer Family Foundation
The T & J Meyer Family Foundation is based in London, UK. It is managed by Tim and Jane Meyer and their four children. In
addition to foundation work, the Meyer family has sustainable projects,
research and education centers in Oregon, Argentina and London. Recently, its
Salem, Ore., project was awarded the National Home Builder Association's Land
Development of the Year award for leadership in developing Pringle Creek
Community, a sustainable, mixed use community, which features Oregon's first
LEED certified platinum level home.
Members
of the Meyer family have been attending the UO for many years. James Meyer, a
1981 graduate of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts and principal of Opsis
Architecture works with architecture faculty to facilitate exciting "studios"
to enrich students' design experiences. Kieley
Santana and husband Ken Maleug graduated with bachelor of arts degrees in 1989. Amanda
Santana and Tommy Skipper, recently married, were outstanding members of the
2007 Track and Field Team.
