— By Sarah Bathke, BA ’25 (journalism), UO Alumni Association communications generalist
The sun is setting earlier, there’s a chill in the air, and the gray, rainy days of Oregon autumns will soon be here. Whether you're catching the last sunny days outside or settling in with a warm apple cider, this list of creative works by UO alumni has something for every fall mood.
Read
By JJ Birden, BS ’89 (leisure studies & services)
Fall means football season and the opportunity to learn and improve with every play. Birden learned how to adapt and keep going as a track and field and football athlete at the UO. Following a nine-year career in the NFL, he's been a professional keynote speaker and author for the last decade. His newest book, Beat the Coverage, shows readers how to recognize opportunities, overcome challenges, and achieve success in business and life. In this read perfect for the season, find guidance for your professional life and find out what this former Ducks player has been up to since he was on campus.
Empowering All Leaders to Be Math Leaders
By Thomas O'Brien, BS ’05 (economics)
We don't stop learning after we graduate, and this book will bring you that back-to-school spirit while you're cozied up at home. Whether you're a teacher, school administrator, or just want to understand new approaches to supporting math education, this book offers practical strategies to build stronger mathematics classrooms and schools. Building on his experiences as an award-winning math teacher and nationally recognized high school principal, O'Brien connects research to practical applications.
Learning and Living Large: A First-Gen Experience
By Larry Large, MA ’70 (history), PhD ’74 (educational policy & management)
Whether you're close to campus or have flown far from Eugene, fall is a time to learn and connect with the back-to-school mindset. Written by a former UO vice president for development and college relations, this book examines the barriers that first-generation college students have historically faced and the policies that impact students and their families. Having served as both a professor across Oregon's universities and at the executive level, Large offers unique insights for current first-generation students, parents looking for guidance, and educators dedicated to student success. From personal advice to a look-ahead at equity in higher education, this book provides insights for everyone touched by higher education.
Hearty Masculinity: Of Body and Soul
By Chris Halverson, BA ’05 (religious studies and history)
Pulling from his experience as a pastor living with a congenital heart condition, Halverson explores self-improvement through two lenses in his fourth book. The "Body” section addresses topics like emotional regulation and relating to others in a way that isn't performative. The second half—"Spirit"—covers caring for the soul through a Lutheran lens and provides ten brief devotionals for men.
Listen
By Adam Hendey, BA ’17 (music, philosophy, Clark Honors College)
If falling leaves and autumn colors make you want to frolic through the highlands, this album is for you. Based in Boston, Hendey has developed his sound as a mainstay of the city's Celtic music scene. He debuted the album at a local club in September 2026. Featuring seven renditions of classic folk-ballads and two original songs, Hendey's integration of non-instrumental sounds demonstrates the expertise in sound design he developed at the UO. The track "Blackbirds and Thrushes" even features a mention of "ducks on the water." We like to think it's an homage to Oregon, so listen now and decide for yourself!
The Science of Politics: Inside the Democratic Socialist uprising
Featuring Dr. David Purucker, MA ’22, PhD ’25 (sociology)
As Election Day draws closer, recent UO sociology doctoral graduate David Purucker spoke on The Science of Politics podcast from the Niskanen Center to discuss recent successes of candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). In his conversation with the Center's Matt Grossman, he pulls from his doctoral dissertation and research on how the DSA makes decisions and organizes, as well as from his own personal experiences as a member of the political organization. Explore the players in this year's election cycle with this in-depth discussion, and make sure to register to vote. The last day to register to vote in Oregon is October 13.
By Dan Siegel, BS ’76 (music)
This nine-track contemporary jazz album composed and performed by School of Music and Dance alum Dan Siegel leans into a serene and calming energy, perfect for the fall season. Working with drummer Jay Bellerose, the album's eight-month development speaks in each note, from the soothing bells in "Time of Need" to the contemplative piano in "Quiet Place." Built on a foundation of collaboration with 13 other musicians and honoring his mother Elizabeth Siegel, this album encapsulates the calm and melancholy vibes of autumn.
Watch
Playing at 100 Lives Repertory Theater in Portland, Oregon, founded by Brooke Totman, BA ’95 (theatre arts)
This sci-fi mystery play, written by Lauren Gunderson, explores loss, loneliness, and how they intertwine with modern technology. Combining drama and thrill, this show is perfect for the spooky season and lovers of thrillers like Ex Machina and Annihilation. The show will run Thursdays through Sundays from October 23 through November 15, featuring a four-person all-female cast.
Totman and her collaborator Annie Kehoe founded 100 Lives Repertory Theater to give a platform to stories about women over the age of 40. As co-artistic director at 100 Lives and an actress herself, Totman has worked behind the scenes to support the Anthropology’s cast and crew in creating an intimate theater experience for both performers and patrons.
Written and directed by Zack Van Eyck, BS ’85 (sociology, elementary education)
Dive into a paranormal dramedy this fall season with this sci-fi movie that brings the strange and silly of Halloween-time to audiences. Inspired by Van Eyck's own experience as a journalist who broke the "Skinwalker Ranch" story in 1996, this film follows a frustrated conspiracy theorist struggling to deal with paranormal events that begin when his eccentric neighbors drop by and refuse to leave.