EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 19: Chairman of Nike Phil Knight looks on as the Oregon Ducks warm up before the game against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium on October 19, 2013 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

When Oregon alum Phil Knight gave his latest donation to the University of Oregon, he gave three simple words to the school.

Change the world.

It’s a simple and cliche phrase, but it shows how diverse this donation was. Knight gave $500 million to the school, which is supposed to go to Oregon’s new science program.

Knight and his wife Peggy believe this newest initiative will fast-track scientific discoveries. Those at Oregon believe this will set them in the right direction.

“This act of philanthropy from Phil and Penny Knight is breathtaking,” said Michael H. Schill, president and professor of law in the school’s release.

“This is a seminal moment for the University of Oregon, an inflection point that will shape the trajectory of the university for the next century and beyond,” Schill said. “Thanks to this generous gift, we will aggressively recruit and hire talented new researchers to join our world-class faculty, amplifying what we do best—interdisciplinary scientific research. Equally important, the University of Oregon now has the resources to develop the infrastructure and support networks necessary to ensure that our best ideas and discoveries are quickly tested, refined, and developed into innovations that improve the human condition.”

It’s not often we hear about the Nike co-founder making big donations to the school itself and not towards a 25th alternate jersey. But with Oregon’s football season on the fritz, I’m sure there are some fans wishing that money would go toward the salary of a future head coach. But alas, academics wins out in this argument.

[247 Sports]

About Ryan Williamson

Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Missouri and has recently returned to his Minnesota roots. He previously has worked for the Columbia Missourian, KFAN radio in Minneapolis and BringMeTheNews.com. Feel free to email me at rwilliamson29 AT Gmail dot com.