The UO Alumni Association is proud to honor Bill Hansell, BS ’67 (political science), with the 2025 Jeanne Johnson Alumni Service Award, a recognition for an alum who exemplifies loyalty, distinguished leadership, and generous contributions of time and talent to the university and UOAA.
Hansell played an integral role in launching the UOAA’s Eastern Oregon Ducks chapter and the group’s scholarship fund, which supports the next generations of UO students from Eastern Oregon. Even in retirement, he continues to stay involved with the group, emceeing their annual Let 'er Duck Breakfast during the Pendleton Round-Up.
“I'm very honored to have been selected. It is very special,” Hansell said. “The more I learned about [the namesake for this award] and others who have been selected, the honor continued to grow.”
Jeanne Johnson dedicated years of her life to serving the UOAA in a number of roles. Her service laid the foundation for the association to expand, helping more alumni strengthen their relationships with each other and the university. Since 1984, the Jeanne Johnson Alumni Service Award has recognized individuals who, like Johnson and Hansell, have gone above and beyond, dedicating extraordinary service to their communities.
“His name tag may say ‘Bill Hansell,’ but he is known as ‘Senator Duck’ to everyone at the alumni association,” noted UOAA Executive Director Raphe Beck. “It is his generous spirit that maintains our alumni community in Eastern Oregon, and we’re thrilled to honor him with this award.”
Supporting Eastern Oregon Ducks
Growing up in Athena—a town about 18 miles northeast of Pendleton, Hansell said he was surrounded by Washington State and Oregon State alumni, including his parents, who were both Cougars. Expanding the University of Oregon’s presence in Eastern Oregon and encouraging the next generation to consider the UO has been particularly meaningful for Hansell.
“To be able to get a little foothold in this territory with the Ducks and the [Eastern Oregon] chapter, watch it grow, develop the scholarships, and have an annual meeting . . . was really special,” he said.
During the Pendleton Round-Up, a rodeo that draws 50,000 people each September, the Eastern Oregon Ducks hold their annual Let 'er Duck Breakfast. A speaker from the university shares updates on UO programs and initiatives, and the chapter recognizes their scholarship recipients.
“The [Pendleton Round-Up] is a part of the state; it’s a part of our culture. I think it’s really valuable to link the two bases together, Eugene with Eastern Oregon, and . . . to demonstrate to our alumni base out here . . . that we count and we matter, and [the university] will be there for you.”
During the 2025 Let 'er Duck Breakfast, UOAA Executive Director Raphe Beck (left) presented Bill Hansell (right) with the Jeanne Johnson Alumni Service Award.
Pictured left to right at the 2025 Let 'er Duck Breakfast: Jason Younker, MS '98, PhD '03, UO assistant vice president and advisor to the president on sovereignty and government-to government relations; W.T. Hansell, BS '02; Margaret Hansell, BS ’67; Bill Hansell, BS ’67; and Raphe Beck, UOAA executive director.
Hansell got involved with the Let 'er Duck Breakfast before the region’s official alumni chapter took shape. After working with the UOAA to form the Eastern Oregon Ducks group, Hansell helped the chapter launch its scholarship program. He successfully applied for a grant from the Wildhorse Foundation, which served as the seed money for the fund.
Since 2010, the Eastern Oregon Ducks have awarded over $20,000 in scholarships to 24 UO students from the area, helping them succeed and graduate as proud, accomplished UO alumni.
A launching pad for service
It was a scholarship, in part, that led Hansell to the University of Oregon. The oldest of five siblings, he planned to take a gap year after high school graduation, running for state officer through Oregon FFA, before following in his parents' footprints to attend Washington State.
When his FFA project didn’t pan out as expected, he decided to apply to the UO. He had received a scholarship from a nonprofit in Eastern Oregon, and it could only be used at an in-state school.
“[Ending up at Oregon] was somewhat accidental—or providential, maybe—where doors shut and doors opened, [leading to] a major change in what I ended up doing.”
Hansell thrived at the UO. As a first-year student, he was elected president of his residence hall and joined the university’s Sigma Chi fraternity chapter. He was elected president of the junior class and met fellow junior class officer, Margaret (Eversaul) Hansell, BS ’67 (speech pathology), who has now been his wife for 58 years. Additionally, he became involved with an on-campus ministry called Cru (then known as Campus Crusade for Christ) and joined their staff after graduation.
“Within the framework of those four years at the University of Oregon, I met my life's partner, my mate, my Margaret . . . I focused on what I wanted to do after college, which was my mission. And then, [I came] into a more meaningful relationship in my Christian faith . . . Three of the most important life decisions I made all occurred in those four years at the UO,” Hansell said.
Bill Hansell and Margaret (Eversaul) Hansell both served as junior class officers during their time at the UO. Pictured left to right are Bob Coltman, Margaret Eversaul, Bill Hansell, Terry Holmes, and Mark Dennett.
Photo credit: 1966 Oregana
After twelve years on staff with Cru, the last five of which were spent in Sydney, Australia, Bill and Margaret returned to Eastern Oregon to work on a farm and raise their six children. After a few years back home, he was elected Umatilla County Commissioner in 1982. He served in that role for more than 30 years—making him the longest serving commissioner in the county’s history.
In 2012, Hansell ran for the Oregon State Senate and was elected to represent District 29, a large, rural area in Northeast Oregon.
True to his nickname of “Senator Duck,” Hansell co-sponsored a number of bills celebrating the University of Oregon and its alumni, including a bill designating March 10 as “Mighty Oregon Day” and another commemorating Marcus Mariota’s Heisman Trophy win.
After three terms, Hansell opted not to seek reelection and retired from public service in January 2025. He said he and Margaret are looking forward to traveling, spending more time with their family, and continuing their beloved traditions with the Eastern Oregon Ducks.
“It’s a new chapter of our lives,” he said. “There are certain things we’ve continued to do, and of course the Let 'er Duck Breakfast is one of them.”
Reflecting on his 42-year career, Hansell said helping others brought him the most joy. To the next generation of public servants, he recommends getting involved as a volunteer in your local community and pursuing your career with a servant-leader mindset.
“As I look back, my greatest personal joy or fulfillment came when I was able to help someone meet a need, get a job done, or find whatever [else they might need].”
—By April Miller, UO Alumni Association associate director of marketing and communications