Class Notes

In January, I started a new job as senior attorney for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in their Riverside, CA, office. My work focuses on climate change. I am, for example, analyzing the US EPA’s recent repeal of its 2009 endangerment finding, potential enhanced state action against climate change, state grants to environmentally friendly organizations and companies, and the California Climate Cap and Invest program (formerly cap and trade). I graduated as top of my class in 2008.

I am a proud Duck. UO Law changed my life and enabled me to have two dream jobs: first as a law professor and now, hopefully, working against climate change!

At the ripe young age of 90, I have just published my first book.

I graduated from the University of Oregon in 1965 with a PhD in Psychology. After a long career in the field, I’ve now turned to writing.

My book, Wartime Soul Sisters: Anne Frank and Audrey Hepburn (available on Amazon), tells the intertwined stories of two remarkable young women. Both spent their formative years in Holland under German occupation—Anne Frank, whose diary gave voice to millions, and Audrey Hepburn, who endured hardship before becoming a beloved actress and humanitarian. The book weaves their childhood experiences into a narrative of resilience, loss, and hope.

Luis E. Cárcamo-Huechante, Associate Professor of Spanish at the University of Texas at Austin, has published a new book, Acoustic Colonialism: Acts of Mapuche Interference, which examines the role of sound in Chilean and Mapuche cultural production over the last two centuries. It is published by Duke University Press.

Congratulations to Dr. Morgan A. Torris-Hedlund, BA ’06 (art), faculty member at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing, who was recently awarded the 9A Proficiency Designator, the highest recognition for professional excellence in the U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD).

Conferred only by the Army Surgeon General, the 9A signifies national prominence in military medicine and recognizes those whose scholarship, leadership, and service have advanced knowledge and elevated the AMEDD mission. The award is exceptionally rare; in 2025, Dr. Torris-Hedlund was the only Army Nurse Reservist to receive this distinction.

This honor affirms a career marked by nationally recognized scholarship, operational leadership, and professional excellence in nursing and military medicine.

Robert Raschio, JD '01, has been elected President of the Oregon Circuit Court Judges' Association for 2025-26. 

Jennie Bricker is pleased to announce the December 2025 publication of her debut novel, Thirsty Creek. The novel is a murder mystery and ecological mystery combined, a story about human arrogance, greed, and unintended consequences. Fifty percent of the proceeds from Thirsty Creek support the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland, a place-based nonprofit in Wallowa, Oregon.

After many successful years teaching at universities and colleges in China, Turkey, and the U.S., Dan Tannacito, DA, ’70; PhD ’72, has recently turned his attention to writing novels. In 2025, he published Murder at Point Lookout Beach and Jing-Jing: Adventures in China.

Jake Glicker, attorney, Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McCoy, Santa Barbara, BS ’14, chosen by Pacific Coast Business Times for Who’s Who in Professional Services.

John A. Heldt, BS ’85, published "Let Time Fly," his twenty-sixth novel, in December 2025.

The Honorable Blaine G. Gibson, JD ’77, was recently named Trial Judge of the Year by the Washington State Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Judge Gibson served for 20 years as a Superior Court Judge for the County of Yakima, Washington, and is now retired. ABOTA is an association of trial attorneys and judges who are dedicated to promoting civility and professionalism within the legal profession, improving civics education within schools and the community, and preserving and protecting Americans’ Seventh Amendment right to a civil trial by jury, which includes supporting judicial independence and ensuring safe courthouse ingress and egress for jurists, jurors, and the public.

Laura Edmonston, BA ’98 (English), received her Juris Doctor degree from the Seattle University School of Law on December 13, 2025. Laura also holds a Master's in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University and a Certificate of Paralegal Studies from Duke University. Laura is the Deputy State Law Librarian for the Washington State Supreme Court.

 

I published my autobiography, “Called to Serve: My Path to President Reagan’s Cabinet and Beyond,” (Peak Press, Jan. 2026). I'm the son of Canadian immigrants, and served in two Cabinet roles with President Reagan, Energy (1982-1985) and Interior (1985-1989), after running the Bonneville Power Administration in the 1970s, and chairing the Oregon Republican Party. Graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law.

Guy Maynard, BS ’84 (journalism), long-time editor of Oregon Quarterly (1995—2012), announces the release of Ash Valley: The Promise of the Land, the third autobiographical novel of his Risk of Being Ridiculous Trilogy. Ash Valley is set in the mountains of southern Oregon in the early ’70s and lovingly and honestly tells the complex story of a group of exiles from big cities trying to build a new way of life. The earlier books of the trilogy are The Risk of Being Ridiculous and Trial: A Long Year from Here to There.

https://www.gladeyepress.com/online-store/Ash-Valley-The-Promise-of-the-Land-p722521551

Michael Hall (BA ’10, University of Oregon) is excited to announce that his feature documentary, Generation Freedom, will premiere on PBS this May. The film explores the rise of independent entrepreneurship, sharing real-world success stories of people who have left traditional jobs to build fulfilling, self-sustaining businesses. The documentary examines the evolving landscape of work, from the lasting effects of the pandemic to corporate return-to-office mandates, highlighting the growing movement of professionals seeking financial and time freedom through entrepreneurship. Generation Freedom features insights from industry leaders and well-known entrepreneurs, including Pat Flynn (Smart Passive Income), Lisa Congdon (artist & author), John Lee Dumas (Entrepreneurs on Fire), and Aaron Draplin (Draplin Design Co.). Michael, a Portland-based filmmaker, has dedicated his career to storytelling that educates and inspires. He is thrilled to bring this important conversation to a national audience through PBS. For more details, visit genfreedom.com

James Hein (Honors College 2002) has started a solo law practice in Portland, after practicing for nearly 20 years at Tonkon Torp. He will provide the same business-law services as before: contract drafting, business formation & structure, mergers & acquisitions, and business separations.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hein-business-law/

JADI CAMPBELL, BA '80 (Clark Honors College, English) book Broken In: A Novel in Stories was named a semifinalist for the international 2020 Hawk Mountain Short Story Collection Award from Hidden River Arts.

The Honorable Blaine G. Gibson, JD ’77, has retired after serving for 20 years as a Superior Court Judge for Yakima County, Washington. During his judicial tenure he was active in the leadership of the Washington State Superior Court Judges’ Association as a member of the Board of Trustees and as President. He was in the private practice of law for 27 years prior to being elected Judge. During that time, he was a member of several Washington State Bar Association committees, including the Ethics Committee, which he chaired. He now hopes to spend his time travelling with his wife Sandi, when he can pull her away from her garden.

As a senior interior designer at HGA, I was recently promoted to Associate Vice President and also featured in the Beyond the Built Environment.

https://hga.com/people/lotos-chen-young/

After almost 40 years, the majority with Delawie (San Diego, Calif.), Paul Schroeder retired following an accomplished design career. He dedicated his talents to educational, institutional and civic architecture, including completed projects on several San Diego campuses (Mesa College, San Diego State University and University of San Diego).

https://www.delawie.com/principal-paul-schroeder-retires/

It has been a humbling few weeks for this Alaskan Duck. On September 24, 2024, I was given the Beacon Award by the Alaska Hospital and Health Care Association during their annual conference at Alyeska Resort, Alaska. I have attached the write up and press release on that award, which is not given every year. It was also announced that I will be receiving the William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year Award at the Alaska Chamber of Commerce annual convention on October 9, 2024, in Fairbanks, Alaska. I have also attached the press release from the Alaska Chamber of Commerce announcing that award. These are both appreciated and unexpected honors that I wanted to share.

https://www.alaskahha.org/post/2024-beacon-award-jeff-cook
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-cook-b2a1b76/