A section of East 13th Avenue, right in the heart of the UO campus, got a name change last week. The stretch between Volcanology and the Lundquist College of Business is now known as Lillis Way, in honor of Gwen and Chuck Lillis.
The Lillises are longtime supporters of the UO, from their philanthropy to their significant volunteer service. Gwen Lillis has served on the Lundquist College of Business Board of Advisors and the UO Foundation Board of Trustees, while Chuck Lillis, who earned a doctorate in marketing at the UO in 1972, was the inaugural chair of the UO governing board and is a member of the new Knight Campus External Advisory Board.
The updated name was revealed in a small ceremony Nov. 11 with the unveiling of a dedication plaque and street signs that include green lampposts bearing the new name.
“It is fitting that Lillis Way is located between the Volcanology building and the Lundquist College of Business,” said Vice President for Advancement Mike Andreasen. “Gwen and Chuck have been tremendous supporters of these areas, from endowing faculty in our volcanology program to their longtime support of the business school at the Lillis Business Complex.”
In May, Chuck Lillis stepped down from his position as chair of the UO Board of Trustees after eight years. His tenure, which began in 2014-15, saw the university successfully launch an independent governing board; realize a $3.2 billion fundraising campaign; fund and build the first phase of the new Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact; begin The Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health; increase research by nearly a third; build or renovate labs, classrooms and residence halls across campus; and make significant improvements in student diversity, retention and graduation rates.
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