The Mt. Hood Community College Foundation was recently made recipient of a major gift from the wife of a former college administrator.
The gift comes from Sonya McDowell, wife of Roger McDowell. Roger served as assistant to the college’s founding president, Dr. Earl Klapstein (1966-76). The McDowells were longtime supporters of both the college and the foundation.
Sonya McDowell passed away in October 2017; Roger McDowell in 2015.
According to Al Sigala, MHCC Foundation executive director, Sonya named the foundation recipient of 35 percent of her estate and of a specific investment account, valued at $486,000 in 2017. The foundation expects to learn the value of the entire gift this winter.
“We’re incredibly honored to receive this gift,” said Sigala. “Both the McDowells had a passion for education and for MHCC. This was evident in their donations to the foundation’s annual auction and in their tireless work at this college and others.
Sonya McDowell worked for several colleges in the Portland area. Roger McDowell not only served as an administrator at MHCC, he also taught chemistry at the college and served as chairman of the Science division. In 2011, he was honored with the college’s prestigious Patron Saint Award in recognition of his work and support of MHCC.
Sonya McDowell directed that part of her gift be used to establish a scholarship for MHCC Nursing students.