$1 Million Gift to PSU's Hatfield School Expands Student and Community Impact

This spring, the PSU Foundation and the College of Urban and Public Affairs announced a $1 million estate commitment from emeritus faculty member Walt Ellis. The gift will strengthen the core work of the Hatfield School of Government by funding student research assistantships and deepening the school’s partnerships with local governments through the Center for Public Service.

Professor Ellis made the commitment alongside his longtime colleague and friend, emeritus professor Doug Morgan, who made a similar $1 million gift commitment to the Hatfield School last year. Together, they co-founded the Morgan Ellis Family Endowment for Community-Centered Education, Scholarship and Governance, creating permanent support for the school’s teaching, research and public service mission.

Prof. Ellis was a founding faculty with the department of public administration and both he and Prof. Morgan spent nearly three decades teaching in the College of Urban and Public Affairs helping to shape key aspects of the Hatfield School, including the Center for Public Service. Their shared investment reflects a deep belief in the school’s role in preparing the next generation of public leaders.

Professor Ellis, who made the gift with his wife Rosemary, pointed to both gratitude and a sense of responsibility in their decision to give.

“The premise for our gift is a simple one: we want to give back to the institution that gave us so much,” Ellis said. “Professor Morgan and I had a hand in building the Hatfield School and some of its key programs. We now feel a commitment to help it continue to grow.”

He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that students can pursue careers in public service without financial barriers.

“The present and next generation of young public servants, particularly at the local level, carry enormous responsibility for strengthening public trust,” he said. “Many talented students would not be able to make that contribution without financial support. This gift helps expand access to paid internships and hands-on learning opportunities that are essential to their success — and to the communities they will serve.”

Through the endowment, funds will support student success, including financial assistance that helps students stay on track to graduate, while also advancing the Hatfield School’s community engagement work and civic partnerships and other priorities.

“It's more important than ever that we prepare dedicated, thoughtful public servants,” said Dean Jeremy Youde. “This investment will help ensure the Hatfield School remains an innovative leader in public administration and public policy education, while deepening our work in Portland’s renaissance.”

Masami Nishishiba, Director of the Hatfield School, also highlighted the lasting impact of the Ellis commitment.

“Dr. Walt Ellis’s generosity provides critical resources to support our students — particularly through hardship funding that helps them persist and succeed — and enables us to advance our work in education, scholarship and community engagement,” Nishishiba said. “His generosity reflects a deep commitment to our mission of improving democratic governance and building public service capacity, with lasting impact on our students and the communities we serve.”

For Walt and Rosemary Ellis, the decision ultimately comes back to the role PSU played in their lives — and the responsibility to invest in its future. They hope that their giving will inspire others to find their own ways to support Portland State.

“My years at Portland State University were deeply meaningful — both personally and professionally,” he said. “Rosemary and I have great admiration for the university, what it stands for, and the work it makes possible.

To learn more about supporting the Morgan Ellis Family Endowment for Community-Centered Education, Scholarship, and Governance, visit this page or contact Katherine Hartner at hartnerk@psuf.org.