Ever notice how the best fundraising stories are not really about funds, but about generosity and r everence and honesty and hope? You know what we mean? So here’s one. Short version: University alumna Liz James, Classes of 1977 and 1986 (MBA), died in 2012. Worked most of her career as a financial wizard for Providence Health System. Made a small gift to the University every year for 30 years; never missed a year. Left the University $1.6 million when she died, for scholarships and the library. Long version: Unsung, quiet, respected, calm, undramatic, the sort of person who if you knew her you liked her and if you didn’t know her you missed a quiet glory in this world. Not into sharp cars and dashing clothes and luxurious housing. Did her work very well indeed and savored her friends and loved anything that jazzed the mind like books and puzzles and photography and travel and plays and movies and concerts and opera. Quietly handled the finances for her church and for other nonprofits which always desperately need someone calm and smart to keep a sharp eye on finances. Star swimmer in high school, went to the state finals, survived cancer as a young woman, endured cancer again as an older woman, never complained, quietly got her affairs in order, left the University money enough to jazz the lives of hundreds of students. She’ll never meet the kids whose lives she changed; but you can bet the University will make sure they know about the quiet grace and wonderful generosity of Ms. Elizabeth James, of Vancouver, Washington, and always, always, of the University of Portland. Feel like jazzing kids’ lives? Opening new doors for kids who might well invent ways to heal and elevate the bruised and weary world? Call Kirsten Heikkala, 503.943.7460, heikkala@up.edu. And say a silent prayer for Liz.
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