After graduation, they went their separate ways. Klein moved to San Francisco, where he worked on ad campaigns for everything from McDonald's to Lexus. He eventually took a position at DIRECTV in Los Angeles as senior manager of Creative Services. Clevenger also worked in advertising and is now director of corporate development for the Papé Group in Eugene.

Though they lost touch with each other, both stayed in contact with the School. That connection gave them the chance to re-establish their own connection. Last year, Klein visited the School to conduct workshops with advertising students. As part of the visit, he advised the Ad Team on their campaign. Clevenger also came back to the School this past fall, when he taught advertising as an adjunct professor.

Both Klein and Clevenger decided they wanted to give back to the School. When they saw the opportunity to give to the Ad Team, they seized it.

The two advertising alumni each pledged $10,000 to establish an Ad Team Endowment. DIRECTV will match Klein's gift, bringing his total contribution to the new fund to $20,000.

"It seemed like a wonderful way to help the Ad Team," says Klein. "After visiting the School last year and spending an afternoon working with the Ad Team on their presentation, I wanted to support this effort further. I was impressed with the teamwork, flexibility and creativity exhibited by these students and fostered by their advisor Dave Koranda."

Together, they've created a fund that will help the School cover the Ad Team's annual expenses, which include travel to and from competitions. This year's team traveled to two separate corners of the country—first to Alaska for the regional competition, then to Florida for nationals. (See story)

Dean Tim Gleason says of the gift, "This endowment will provide the stable funding that supports not only travel but the entire Ad Team experience."

Since reconnecting, Klein and Clevenger have talked about how Bill Winter would constantly remind his advertising students to remember their roots.

"Bill would be looking down and smiling right now," says Klein.