Alumni lead the way during Ducks Give
Every year, alumni are among the UO’s most generous donors. Ducks Give is no exception.
The University of Oregon’s annual day of giving for 2024 will take place on May 16 alongside University Day—a beautification tradition founded in 1904 that helps prepare campus for commencement. This year’s Ducks Give theme is student success, specifically: access and scholarships, student services, academic and research excellence, and career preparation. Funding for these focus areas will help bolster students' abilities to graduate on time with less debt and a greater sense of belonging.
More than thirty areas across UO campuses will participate in this grassroots effort to elevate the student experience. Donors can give to a group or fund of their interest, and there are many new challenges this year. At the UO Alumni Association, Ducks all over the world are invited to donate to any of nineteen regional chapter and affinity group scholarship funds.
“The UOAA supports alumni volunteers around the world who raise money for student scholarships,” says Executive Director Raphe Beck. “We match the first $3,000 of each of those efforts annually to encourage donations to all groups.”
Organizers for Ducks Give have their sights set on surpassing the success of past years by topping $2.2 million and generating more than 2,000 gifts. To support this goal, President Karl Scholz has again issued a Presidential Leaderboard Challenge, doubling his contribution from last year to $20,000. This year’s Presidential Challenge will track all the campus funds on a leaderboard and will award portions of its $20,000 to the top four Ducks Give campus funds with the most gifts. In addition to President Scholz’s challenge, there will also be a “50 States Challenge” for parents and Ducks families to take part in. Once the UO receives gifts from all fifty states, “Ducks Family” flags will be randomly awarded to donors across the nation.
“Ducks Give is an exciting tradition during which many people make their first gift to the UO,” says President Scholz. “My Presidential Leaderboard Challenge gift is an invitation to our community to partner with us and see their gifts have even greater impact.”
Ducks Give goes live at noon on May 15 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on May 16. To stay updated, Beck encourages visiting the Giving Day website, keeping tabs on the UO and UO Alumni Association’s social media channels and using #DucksGive on social media. To play a more active role, sign up to become a Ducks Give ambassador and download graphics to use on your social media channels.
However you choose to celebrate Ducks Give—whether it's by donating, sharing with your network, or participating in community service from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during University Day—you’re helping fortify the flock and setting students up for success for years to come.
For questions about the UO Alumni Association’s scholarship funds, contact Susan Ordonez, senior associate director of alumni engagement.
Meet the students benefited by Ducks Give
Your gifts make a difference. At the UO Alumni Association, we see the impact that our alumni have on campus. This academic year, more than $137,000 in scholarships benefited forty-seven students through the UOAA’s scholarship program, reducing debt for incoming and current Ducks and helping them thrive on campus. Our students have passions in everything from psychology to marine biology. In helping UO students access a world-class education, you’re literally helping Ducks change the world as they go on to hold successful careers that tackle global issues in their fields.
Give now!
Rowan Lance, Class of 2027
Medford, Oregon
Rowan is a first-year student planning to major in global studies. She enjoys exploring UO programs adjacent to her interests, such as the Craft Center, and is also a resident assistant. Rowan’s career aspiration is to work for the US Embassy. She achieved the Presidential Scholarship with support from the UO Alumni Association.
Makana Huddleston, Class of 2025
Hilo, Hawai’i
Makana is a third-year student majoring in business administration. She participates in UO Club Softball, and her career aspirations include working in the sports field, specifically football for either an NFL team or D1 collegiate football program. Makana first received the Hawaii Ducks' Duane Cargill Memorial Scholarship as a first-year student.
Our Ducks are the future. When UO students like Makana and Rowan receive academic scholarships through Ducks Give, they face fewer barriers to accessing education and receive invaluable community-building experiences—helping them become tomorrow’s leaders, today. To impact the lives of UO students, make a commitment to give during Ducks Give on May 16.
Give now!
—By Sage Kiernan-Sherrow, MA ’21, Advancement Communications editor and writer