Why I Give: COE Alum Bruce Waltz
“I believe in giving support to things that help people, mostly in my local community.” –Bruce Waltz
For Bruce Waltz, giving is not about a single moment. It is about showing up consistently, month after month, year after year. A proud University of Oregon College of Education alum, Bruce earned his BS degrees in Elementary Education and Leisure Studies and Services in 1974, followed by an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction in 1980 and a Principal Certificate in 1982. He has been a monthly donor to the College of Education Scholarship Support Fund since 2003, choosing steady support as a reflection of his belief that education is both personal and powerful.
That belief was shaped early in life. “My parents were role models for giving,” Bruce shares. “They encouraged, insisted, I contribute from money I earned from early in life.” Over time, those lessons influenced how he approached philanthropy. “I began to see the value of supporting various needs in my community.”
Bruce’s commitment to education deepened through service to the university. “In the late 1990s I joined the College of Education Alumni Board,” he explains. “As a result, I became more involved in the College and more aware of the needs of the College and the needs of its students.” That awareness expanded further when, “in 2009 I began eight years as a member of the University’s Alumni Association Board of Directors.” Among that service, the most meaningful work for Bruce was collaborating with fellow alumni to develop an Alumni Scholarship Fund for incoming freshmen students.
Today, Bruce gives his time and financial support to a wide range of causes, including organizations focused on education, housing, immigration, environmental needs, and child protection services. Still, his priorities remain clear. “I believe in giving support to things that help people, mostly in my local community.”
Family and partnership continue to inspire his giving. “My inspiration comes first from my parents,” Bruce says. “My partner also inspires me.” Through more than two decades of monthly giving, his commitment reflects a simple hope: that “students with need are helped to reach success at the University and in life.”
Why Monthly Giving Matters
Bruce Waltz has been a monthly donor since 2003, which adds up to over 150 months of consecutive giving. Monthly gifts provide reliable, ongoing support that helps scholarships and programs plan ahead, respond to student needs, and remain sustainable. Over time, steady contributions create meaningful, lasting impact for students who rely on consistent support throughout the academic year.
A number of competitive scholarship, award, and funding opportunities are provided in an effort to offer students support in pursuing their degrees and professional futures by removing as many barriers to those goals as possible. If you have questions about funding opportunities at the COE, please contact Andrea Olson at coescholarships@uoregon.edu.