When Bob Rothschild, ’65, and his wife, Sara, U. Michigan ’65, first traveled to Africa in 2004, they had no idea it would lead them to inspire generations of students across multiple continents.

In 2005, they established the Robert and Sara Rothschild Family Foundation, which partnered with the Botswana government to build 20 libraries in rural areas, improving education, cultural literacy and community cohesion.

In 2017, they brought their passion for international community-building to OSU and funded the Robert and Sara Rothschild Endowed Chair and Director of the Center for Global Health, which is held by Professor Sunil Khanna. They also support the Oregon State University Botswana Global Health Internship Program.

Now, in 2025, they once again are throwing their support behind global health and the College of Health to expand their impact. The new Rothschild Botswana Global Health Initiative Program Fund will support faculty and staff, provide student stipends and travel, purchase program equipment and technology, and extend OSU’s presence in Gaborone and Botswana, where students and faculty conduct research and work with community members.

“These three funds, which are part of the Botswana Global Health Initiative, are transformational,” Sunil says. “Through these collaborations, the initiative has demonstrated tangible impacts in advancing education, research and public health outcomes. The new funding will help expand this reach to additional communities, deepen engagement and broaden support for OSU students and faculty.

“More broadly, our collaboration has strengthened the Center for Global Health by enriching and expanding our Botswana Global Health Initiative. While Botswana remains one of our key partnerships, it is only a part of the center’s broader global mission and vision. BGHI has become a testing ground for innovative, community-engaged strategies in research, teaching and capacity building. We already are deploying and customizing these strategies across international sites and new partnerships. The lessons we learn in Botswana about partnership development, culturally responsive implementation and sustainable impact will continue to shape and elevate our work worldwide. In this way, BGHI advances our mission in Botswana while also serving as a model for responsibly testing and refining approaches that can be adapted across diverse regions globally. I am incredibly grateful for this successful partnership and excited about the broader future we are building together.”

The Botswana Global Health Initiative promotes community-based research projects by faculty and graduate students. These projects broadly focus on health, education, tech literacy, self-efficacy, business development skills, financial independence, inclusion, leadership through sports, and youth development. Since its beginning, the initiative has developed an innovative, community-based participatory research and intervention strategy that promotes sustainable community partnership and empowerment. All projects have the support of local communities, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, Botswana (UNAIDS).

As interns, students work with professors on projects related to understanding local cultural practices and beliefs, the impact of infrastructure on everyday life and health, education and health infrastructure and services, community food and nutrition, in-clinic and outreach services provided by the local community clinic and health outposts, and related topics.

The Rothschilds’ interest in Africa began with a visit to friends in Cape Town in 2004. Moved by what they saw, they helped expand the community’s one-room library. The next year, Sara went to Botswana to participate in a Habitat for Humanity project. Those experiences inspired them to establish their foundation, and in 2010, the Botswana government presented them with the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service.

Long-time supporters of Oregon State, the Rothschilds are fans of OSU Athletics, particularly women’s basketball and track and field. Bob has served on the OSU Foundation Board, and Sara has served on the college’s community advisory board.

Both are committed to OSU’s mission to serve the world and to helping students learn about other cultures and how they solve problems. The partnership with the College of Health is a reward in itself, says Bob, who talks with Sunil three or four times each week about their collaboration and its impact.

“This is just the kind of partnership we love,” says College of Health Dean Debbie Craig. “It benefits students, research, community health and well-being, international goodwill, health equity, cultural humility and more. It really hits all the boxes, and we couldn’t be more appreciative of the Rothschilds’ continued support.”