Gift from Sue Moshberger ’37 Enriches Educational Experience for Student Researchers

Students on campus are gaining valuable experience because of a gift from Ursula “Sue” Moshberger, shown here in her U.S. Navy WAVES uniform. Moshberger became a high school teacher after earning her degree in physical education at the UO in 1937. Her bequest to the UO’s human physiology department helps advance the careers of student researchers.

The Moshberger awards provide general support for student education and research, which may include conferences.

Steve Laurie (left), a doctoral student and Moshberger award recipient, said being able to attend conferences opens doors that are invisible otherwise.

"By attending the Experimental Biology Conference I was able to meet some of the most influential people in my discipline and begin relationships with them that will be invaluable throughout my career," Steve said.

For master's degree student Jennifer Miner (right), mother of four and owner of a small business, the Moshberger gift helps make her UO education even more valuable.

"Thanks to this gift, we were able to take all the graduate students in our department to conferences last year," Miner said.

The sooner graduate students can participate in professional gatherings, the richer their overall educational experience.

"A critical part of our education occurs while attending conferences," said Bernardo "Jun" San Juan Ph.D. '09 (left). "There's nothing like face-to-face interaction, talking science at all hours with your colleagues around the world."

And Jun would know—this fall he begins working as a professor at a small liberal arts college.

By including the UO in your will you can provide opportunities for students such as these. Visit giftplan.uoregon.edu to learn more.