Long-time DO-IT Mentor Doug Lefever died from injuries sustained when hit by a hit-and-run driver while in a crosswalk on a Seattle street. DO-IT, which began in 1992, had barely started when Doug volunteered to mentor DO-IT Scholars. He was an excellent role model when it came to earning a college degree and making positive contributions to DO-IT and to the Seattle community overall.
Doug received the DO-IT Mentor Award (pictured left) as well as the Hunthausen Humanitarian Award. Doug was also profiled in the University of Colorado alumni magazine.
Doug will always be missed by the DO-IT family and especially by those for whom he provided encouragement and guidance. We will also remember his great sense of humor that was apparent when he was hit in the chest by a foul ball during a DO-IT Summer Study trip to a Mariners game in the Kingdome. Doug later confided that getting that signed ball made it worth getting hit. In true mentor form, he stated that if the ball was to hit someone in the row of wheelchair-users that night, it was good that it was him; everyone else in the row was a DO-IT Scholar.
Matthew Porter, '95 Scholar and DO-IT Ambassador, passed away this spring. When Matthew first joined DO-IT he said his passion was computers; this remained true in all of his academic, employment, and recreational activities. After graduating from high school, Matthew went on to pursue an education in IT at the University of Washington. He also worked in the UW's Adaptive Technology Lab, helping other students with disabilities access technology.
Matthew was awarded the Seattle Youth Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Pemco Scholarship. Matthew valued his participation in DO-IT. After his death his father shared with DO-IT Director Sheryl Burgstahler, "Your program opened the door and showed him that he could attend college...he was always proud of having attended the UW. Thanks again." Matthew will be forever missed by his DO-IT family.