Patricia Feore, who established the endowed $100,000 Feore Single Parents & Children of Single Parents Scholarship and supported two $5,000 Last Mile Scholarships, hosted a donor appreciation event in December, where she and other attendees including Dot and Ranger Miller, owners of Biba, pledged continued support for the University of Guam and UOG Endowment Foundation.  Standing (left to right): Katrina T. Perez, Executive Director of the UOG Endowment Foundation; Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, UOG President; Dot and Ranger Miller, Owners of Biba; Patricia Feore, Realtor; and Tes Reyes-Burrier, UOG Advancement Associate.

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Established in 2019, in response to a survey identifying financial hardship as a leading reason students leave college, the Last Mile Scholarship helps students within 30 credits of graduation stay on track to earn their degrees.

With so many students only a few credits away from a degree, a small investment can have a life-changing return,” said UOG President Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez. “This program is about removing that last financial barrier.”

Donors may contribute to the Last Mile Scholarship fund or create named scholarships under the Last Mile banner, tailoring awards to specific needs or fields. In 2025, the program saw record donor support, resulting in $40,000 awarded to students and over $125,000 raised in scholarships and endowed funds to support future graduates. 

• Local businessman Tom Tajalle funded seven $500 Brother Tom Last Mile Scholarships through a $3,500 gift.
• Six Guam senators collectively donated $3,000 during Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 semester.
• UOG Vice President Emerita Dr. Helen Whippy established the Whippy Family Last Mile Scholarship fund awarding $500 each to three students.
• Mobil Oil Guam contributed $7,500 to create a STEM-focused Last Mile Scholarship.

The largest gift came in October from local realtor Patricia Feore, who contributed $100,000 to endow a new scholarship — the Single Parents & Children of Single Parents Scholarship. She also gave $10,000 to fund two $5,000 awards in 2025 for students in Education, Agriculture & Life Sciences, and Health Science.

“As a single parent myself, I know the challenges,” Feore shared. “Wealth and strength can be taken away from one. But no one can beat the education out of you nor steal it from you. More opportunities and a better life are the promises of a good education.”

Feore also hosted a donor appreciation event in December, where she and other attendees including Dot and Ranger Miller, owners of Biba, pledged continued support.

“Earning a college degree isn’t just about a paycheck—it’s transformative,” Dr. Enriquez said at the event. “Our graduates have stepped into careers that bring both purpose and prosperity. Their journeys remind us that education can be the spark that turns dreams into reality.”

Since its inception, the Last Mile Scholarship has helped dozens of Tritons complete their degrees and enter the Guam’s workforce. By helping to close the financial gap, the program strengthens the island’s talent pool and supports regional businesses.

For information on contributing to UOG scholarships or establishing a named fund, contact the University Advancement Office at (671) 735-2902 or the UOG Endowment Foundation at (671) 735-2957, or visit give.uog.edu.