Thomas E. Autzen
Encyclopedia
Thomas Edward Autzen was an American philanthropist based in Oregon
. He received a national reputation for his philanthropy and as an active member in many Pacific Northwest
charitable organizations. After his father's death in 1958, he presided over the Autzen Foundation and helped manage operations as a spokesperson and board member.
, Autzen is best known as the son of famous northwest plywood
manufacturing innovator and namesake of the University of Oregon football stadium
, Thomas J. Autzen
. He received a bachelor's degree in political science
from the University of Oregon
in 1943. His attendance at the university led his father to create the Autzen Foundation as a fundraiser for construction of the school's football stadium
.
, the High Desert Museum
, the Columbia River Maritime Museum
, Pacific Crest Outward Bound
and Good Samaritan Hospital
.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. He received a national reputation for his philanthropy and as an active member in many Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
charitable organizations. After his father's death in 1958, he presided over the Autzen Foundation and helped manage operations as a spokesperson and board member.
Early life and education
A lifelong resident of Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Autzen is best known as the son of famous northwest plywood
Plywood
Plywood is a type of manufactured timber made from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, re-usable, and can usually be locally manufactured...
manufacturing innovator and namesake of the University of Oregon football stadium
Autzen Stadium
Autzen Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Eugene, Oregon, United States. Located north of the University of Oregon campus, it is the home field of the Oregon Ducks of the Pacific-12 Conference. Opened in 1967, the stadium has undergone several expansions...
, Thomas J. Autzen
Thomas J. Autzen
Thomas J. Autzen was a Danish-American pioneer in plywood manufacturing, and founder of a family-run philanthropic foundation known as the Autzen Foundation. The Autzen Foundation supplied the single largest donation, $250,000, to support the construction of a football stadium at the University of...
. He received a bachelor's degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1943. His attendance at the university led his father to create the Autzen Foundation as a fundraiser for construction of the school's football stadium
Autzen Stadium
Autzen Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Eugene, Oregon, United States. Located north of the University of Oregon campus, it is the home field of the Oregon Ducks of the Pacific-12 Conference. Opened in 1967, the stadium has undergone several expansions...
.
Philanthropy
As president and board member of the Autzen Foundation, he is recognized for helping distribute many large donations to charitable organizations located mainly in Oregon.. The foundation's focus, while under his and his father's leadership, has been to help youth services, education, the arts and nature. Autzen also chaired and participated as a board member in a number of other prominent Oregon philanthropic and non-profit organizations. Autzen chaired the University of Oregon Foundation, he also served on the boards of the Japanese Garden SocietyPortland Japanese Garden
The Portland Japanese Garden is a traditional Japanese garden occupying 5.5 acres , located within Washington Park in the west hills of Portland, Oregon, USA.- Design :...
, the High Desert Museum
High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum is located near Bend, Oregon, United States. Opened in 1982, it brings regional wildlife, culture, art and natural resources together to promote an understanding of natural and cultural heritage of North America’s high desert country...
, the Columbia River Maritime Museum
Columbia River Maritime Museum
The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a museum of maritime history located about ten miles from the mouth of the Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon, U.S.. It has a national reputation for the quality of its exhibits and the scope of its collections and was the first museum in Oregon to meet...
, Pacific Crest Outward Bound
Outward Bound
Outward Bound is an international, non-profit, independent, outdoor educationorganization with approximately 40 schools around the world and 200,000 participants per year...
and Good Samaritan Hospital
Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center
Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center is a hospital in northwest Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1875 by the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, it is a part of the Legacy Health System...
.