Help make the outdoors accessible to first generation college students taking courses through the Outdoor Pursuits Program.
Many UO students can't afford to participate in the Outdoor Pursuits Program, an academic certificate program in outdoor leadership and education housed under Physical Recreation and Education. In addition to the tuition and fees associated with the Outdoor Pursuits Program classes themselves, students face additional out-of-pocket costs for personal equipment, technical clothing, Wilderness First Responder certificate, and similar expenses. First generation students, who make up about 40% of UO incoming freshmen, tend to face additional financial barriers. By creating the Michael Strong award, we work to reduce financial barriers to participating in the Outdoor Pursuits Program and make the leadership certificate more accessible to these students.
Michael Strong, who retired from UO in 2019, shaped the lives of students through the Outdoor Pursuits Program at the University of Oregon for over 31 years. Michael was born in the Yukon territory of Canada. Despite the frigid climate much of the year, Michael was outdoors whenever possible and was known to ask his mom ‘…if it warms up to 30 below, can I go outside and play?'
