Tim Boyle, Pat Kilkenny Ante Up For Higher Ed PAC

Tim Boyle

A newly-formed political action committee recorded two monster donations on Friday. As WW reported earlier, Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle and John von Schlegell, managing partner at Endeavour Capital formed Oregonians for Higher Education Excellence at the end of March.

Columbia Distributing Chairman Ed Maletis initially seeded the PAC with $65,000 and on Friday two wealthy Duck supporters, Boyle and former University of Oregon Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny chipped in $62,500 and $65,000 respectively. 

In an earlier interview, Boyle said the new group is interested in seeing the legislature and the Oregon University System cede autonomy more quickly to the system's seven campuses, which have seen their financial contributions from the state shrink far faster than their authority to govern themselves has grown. 

He added that the group hopes the Legislature will accomplish that devolution of authority but the PAC's money could be used to promote a ballot measure if lawmakers fail to act.


WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.