Dave and Nancy Petrone’s alumni donation enhances student entrepreneurship opportunities

A $4 million gift from alumnus Dave Petrone and his wife Nancy is making waves at the University of Oregon, bringing new opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation on campus.

The generous donation will be split evenly between UO’s Knight Campus in Portland and the Lundquist College of Business, with the goal of boosting entrepreneurship initiatives. Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship Jeff Sorensen expressed excitement over the gift, which will fund a new Petrone Entrepreneur in Residence position for student mentorship.

The newly appointed Petrone Entrepreneur in Residence, Ann Carney Nelson, brings a wealth of experience from her time as the chief operating officer of Inpria, a semiconductor technology company that was acquired for $514 million. This addition will further the Center for Entrepreneurship’s mission to assist students and faculty in translating research into industry impact.

Bob Mighell, the current Entrepreneur in Residence, highlighted the gift’s potential to advance technological developments and expand the Center’s reach. The Petrone gift also aims to strengthen connections between the Knight Campus and the Oregon Innovation Challenge, fostering collaboration between the two entities.

Sorensen emphasized the importance of the Petrone gift in bridging the gap between the two campuses and creating momentum for future collaboration. With the infusion of funds and expertise, the University of Oregon is poised to make significant strides in entrepreneurship and innovation, thanks to the generosity of Dave and Nancy Petrone.