Advancement
Ali Savage, M.A.
Director of Annual Giving
M.A. in Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary B.A. in Political Science and Education, Western Washington University
What is Founders Day?
Founders Day is an annual celebration of Bushnell University’s legacy of wisdom, faith, and service.
Students, alumni, and friends celebrate together with events on campus and an online giving day swag raffle.
Founders Day is October 15th and events will take place on campus Wednesday October 11th through Saturday October 14th. The online giving day takes place at Bushnell.edu/foundersday, gifts can be made anytime between October 1st and October 15th to qualify for the swag raffle.
We invite you to come to campus, use the #bushnellfoundersday, and give in support of the Beacon Fund for Student Scholarships.
James A. Bushnell
Was an educator, a businessman, and most importantly, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. He founded the first bank in Junction City and served as the president of the Lane County Evangelistic Board for several years. But his true passion was found in promoting and aiding Christian education. In 1895, with the help of Eugene Sanderson, James A. Bushnell founded Eugene Divinity School, the institution we now know and love as Bushnell University.
Wisdom: This year we’re celebrating one of the founders of our university, and our namesake, James A. Bushnell. An advocate for Christian education, he helped lay the groundwork for what would become our beloved university. James A. Bushnell exemplifies the kind of person we hope our students become during their tenure here at Bushnell University: faithful, tenacious, humble, generous, and innovative.
Faith: Founded as Eugene Divinity School in 1895, Bushnell University has over 128 years of Christ-centered history. This year we’re celebrating our “Restoration Movement” faith heritage a look at one of the movements founding principles: “Christians only, not the only Christians.”
Service: Students are equipped during their time at Bushnell to be Beacons shining the light of Christ in the world through lives of service. The Beacon Fund for Student Scholarships helps make tuition affordable and accessible. This year we’re celebrating the generous alumni, friends, businesses, and churches who serve our students through gifts to the Beacon Fund.
Win a Raffle for Bushnell Swag!
Celebrate Founders Day with us! Post a photo of you on social media in Beacon gear with the hashtag #bushnellfoundersday and be entered to win a raffle of Beacon swag. Double your chances of winning by donating $5 or more to the Beacon fund, (a posted photo counts as one entry, a donation counts as a second entry.)
The Beacon Fund
The Beacon Fund
At Bushnell, 9 out of 10 students need some form of financial aid. Meet Jacob Lilley ’23 a recipient of the Beacon Fund for Student Scholarships.
On May 15th, Jacob walked across the stage at Bushnell University’s Spring 2023 Commencement, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.
Your gifts made this possible.
“Relationships are valuable. This is a foundational understanding in every business course that I’ve taken here [at Bushnell]. We emphasize ethical principles and it stands out…Bushnell professors take a Kingdom-mindset on what business should look like.”
– Jacob Lilley, class of 2023
Bushnell students embody the hope that James A. Bushnell had for the future of the Church and the world.
Making a gift to the Beacon Fund today equips Bushnell students to be tomorrow’s church and industry leaders.
Events
Founders Day week activities include great opportunities for everyone to celebrate together. Throughout the week different events focus on current students, alumni, friends from local churches, and families of current students. The focus is indicated in the parentheses, but everyone is welcome to participate in all the events, registration is required when denoted by an *.
Wednesday, October 11th
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Northwest Leadership One Day @ Bucher Room * (Pastors)
Afternoon — Campus Tours Available @ Welcome Center (All)
Thursday, October 12th
11:00 AM — Chapel: Cambodia Mission Team Shares (Alumni & Students)
Afternoon — Campus Tours Available @ Welcome Center (All)
Friday, October 13th
2:00 PM — Special Founder’s Day Campus Tour @ Welcome Center * (All)
4:30 PM — Men’s Soccer vs Multnomah @ Les Schwab Sports Park (All)
7:00 PM — Women’s Soccer vs Multnomah @ Les Schwab Sports Park (All)
7:00 PM — Volleyball vs Lewis-Clark State @ Morse Center (All)
9:00 PM — Trivia Night @ Oskar Bucher Room * (Students & Families)
Saturday, October 14th
4:30 PM — Men’s Soccer vs Warner Pacific (Senior Night) @ Les Schwab Sports Park (All)
4:30 PM — Venture Forward Campaign Completion Celebration @ Ross Evans Chapel Lobby (All)
5:30 PM — Fall Music Concert @ Ross Evans Chapel * (All)
7:00 PM — Women’s Soccer vs Warner Pacific (Senior Night) @ Les Schwab Sports Park (All)
9:00 PM — Volleyball vs Walla Walla @ Morse Center (All)
Sunday, October 15th
Online — Last day to post a photo and give to be entered in the swag raffle use #bushnellfoundersday
Give – Go online to Bushnell.edu/foundersday to make a gift
Founder's Day Team
Advancement
Lars Coburn, M.A.
Director of University Relations
B.S., Bushnell University M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary Lars is the Director of University Relations in the Office of University Advancement. "I grow …