Waseda University Launches Oregon Study Abroad Scholarship with Support from Doug Etzel
One of our longstanding partners, Waseda University launched the Oregon Study Abroad Scholarship in 2024, providing financial support each year to one Waseda student studying abroad in Oregon, U.S.A. The scholarship was established through the generous donation of U.S. businessman and former Waseda study abroad student, Doug Etzel.
Etzel, a native Oregonian, has spent over 30 years working in enterprise software in Asia, including 18 years living and working in Japan. He served as President of the Asia region for leading software companies such as Vignette, Netezza (acquired by IBM), and Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV). He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Oregon State University and an M.B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
His introduction to Japan began with a chance trip to Osaka before his senior year at OSU. After graduation, he spent a year as an engineer trainee with Seiko Epson in Nagano. Upon returning to Portland, he studied Japanese at Portland State University under Mari Noda while continuing his work at Epson. With support from Professor Larry Kominz, he later received a scholarship to study at Waseda University for one year—an experience that helped launch his international career in software.