On Thursday, May 15, the UO community will come together to make an impact on the lives of current and future Ducks through the tenth annual Ducks Give.
More than forty-five areas across UO campuses will participate in the annual day of giving, including eighteen of the UO Alumni Association’s chapters and affinity networks. These groups primarily raise funds for scholarships benefiting UO students from their communities.
Over the past ten years, the UOAA has provided more than $1.1 million in scholarships to more than 335 students, offering support on their journey to graduation and beyond. This academic year alone, the UOAA’s scholarship program has benefitted 52 students through over $145,000 in scholarships.
"Alumni chapters and affinity networks raise money in their communities for student scholarships, and the UOAA supports them in these endeavors,” said UOAA Executive Director Raphe Beck. “We match the first $3,000 annually for each scholarship fund to encourage donations to all groups.”
In addition to these matching grants, this year five UOAA regional chapters—Bay Area, LA, New York, Portland, and Seattle—can make their donations go even further through the UO Foundation Board of Trustees challenge gift. When each of these areas reach their target number of donors—to their local regional scholarship or any other participating fund—it will unlock an additional $2,500 to their scholarship fund and an additional $2,500 to the President’s Success Fund. The target donor counts for this challenge gift are 264 donors from the Bay Area, 108 from the LA metro, 46 from New York City, 370 from Portland, and 119 from Seattle.
To stay updated on fundraising progress and to donate, visit the Ducks Give website on May 15, keep tabs on the UO and UO Alumni Association’s social media channels, and use #DucksGive on social media. To play a more active role, sign up to become a Ducks Give ambassador, and you’ll receive a Ducks Give sticker pack.
Meet students who have benefited from Ducks Give
Scholarships empower students to pursue their dreams and reduce student debt. During Ducks Give, UO alumni can be part of the success stories of UO students like those featured below, as they continue their journey to joining the UO alumni community.
Alex Carney
Central Oregon Ducks Scholarship Fund recipient
Alex Carney is a first-year student from Bend. Carney has wanted to attend the UO since he was a child and says the experience has been better than he could have even imagined. An avid ski and fly fisher, he’s gotten involved with the UO Outdoor Program.
Carney is exploring different areas of study at the UO and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
“I feel very proud to be a Duck from Central Oregon, and it feels good to know that many alumni are helping me and others succeed,” he said.
Aubrie Cross
UOAA Board of Directors Scholarship recipient
Aubrie Cross is a third-year student pursuing a degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing. She’s an active member of Alpha Chi Omega, where she enjoys fostering connections and engaging in activities that promote personal growth. Cross also serves as a peer mentor with the First Year Interest Group on campus, where she helps first-year students navigate their transition to the UO and find a sense of belonging.
A Eugene Native, Cross said knowing alumni from her hometown are supporting her educational journey means a lot.
“Growing up so close to the University of Oregon, I’ve always felt a connection to the school and its community. Attending the university now feels like an extension of that sense of belonging,” Cross said. “The support from local alumni reinforces the idea that I’m part of something much bigger—a network of individuals who value the education and opportunities the UO provides. It’s inspiring and motivating to see people from the same community investing in my success, and it encourages me to work hard and make the most of my time here, so I can one day pay it forward.”
Til Fretz
Portland Chapter Scholarship Fund recipient
Til Fretz is a second-year student from Portland studying art. As a child, Fretz lived on the Eugene campus with his family, while his father pursued a master’s degree in architecture. He stayed connected with the university after his family moved to Portland and described it as a “home away from home.” Fretz knew early on he too would become a Duck. He has aspirations to start his own design or art company.
“It means a lot that alumni from my hometown support me, since it’s always nice to know people support you and see something in you. I hope to be able to pay that forward as well in life. We should all help and support each other.”
Margaret Grace
UOAA Board of Directors Scholarship recipient
Margaret Grace is a second-year student from Eugene double majoring in global studies and history with a minor in Spanish. She is involved on campus as a member of the UO Mock Trial, the Wayne Morse Scholars program, and the Global Health Research Group. Last summer, Grace participated in the London in a Global Context study abroad program.
Grace is pursuing a career in the legal field, with dreams of working in immigration law. This school year, she’s been getting more involved with research on campus. She said her favorite thing about the UO is the amount of school spirit.
“I chose to enroll at the UO because of the opportunities that existed in terms of connecting with valuable, educated professors and all of the clubs and extracurriculars offered here,” Grace said. “I would love for my scholarship donors to know that this scholarship has really helped me be able to live just a couple blocks away from campus in an apartment with my best friends. Living with friends has been one of the best parts of my college experience, and I’m so glad that I’ve been able to do that instead of commute.”
Makana Huddleston
Hawai’i Ducks’ Duane Cargill Memorial Scholarship recipient
Makanamaikalanikealohapoinaole (Makana) Huddleston is a fourth-year student from Hilo, Hawai’i majoring in business administration with a minor in media studies. A passionate athlete and sports fan, Huddleston has been a member of the UO Club Softball team for three years.
As she approaches graduation, Huddleston is pursuing a career in the sports industry.
“My dream job is to have a platform where I am able to help connect Polynesian athletes with the resources and attention they deserve,” she said. “I chose to enroll at the UO because of its strong school spirit as well as its connections in the sports realm. Oregon is one of the top places to be when it comes to playing or wanting to work in sports. So far, the connections I've made and the people I met have all been amazing, and I am so grateful for what this institution has provided me with.”
Jordan Kagawa
Hawai’i Ducks’ Duane Cargill Memorial Scholarship recipient
Jordan Kagawa is a third-year student from Ewa Beach, Hawai’i pursuing a degree in accounting. She serves as the vice president of finance for both the Women in Business club and the Dean’s Council for Inter-Club Coordination.
Kagawa plans to pursue a career in auditing or consulting after graduation. She aspires to one day become a chief financial officer.
“I want alumni from Hawai’i who support me to know that I am very grateful to go to school here, as well as be able to grow as a person and professional,” she said. “I have had a lot of great opportunities at the UO that I would never have had anywhere else!”
Rowan Lance
UOAA Presidential Scholarship recipient
Rowan Lance is a third-year student from Medford, Oregon majoring in global studies with a minor in classics. A passionate traveler, artist, and reader, Lance is currently studying abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. Lance said this opportunity wouldn’t be possible without the help of scholarships, such as the UOAA Presidential Scholarship.
“The scholarship opportunities provided by the UO were one of the main reasons I was able to enroll in college. It made the daunting idea of college much more manageable,” Lance said. “College has been a dream, and to know that there are people behind me supporting my future is endlessly inspiring.”
Lance has goals to pursue a career in international relations or nonprofit work. Her dream job is to work as a diplomat for a non-governmental organization.
Jai Pandhoh
Orange County Chapter Scholarship recipient
Jai Pandhoh is a first-year student from Orange County studying business administration with plans to also study public relations. He’s involved with student-led NIL agency Oregon Accelerator and the South Asian Cultural Alliance. Pandhoh said the UO has provided him with a place to explore his interests and passions.
“My favorite thing about this university is the support given to all students. At the UO, I have been able to meet people and professors, join clubs, and get hired for agencies which can greatly help my education and my future. My biggest life motto is to experience all that you can. The UO gives me clarity to work on what I love and work toward my future success.”
Keyen (Keke) Singer
UOAA Presidential Scholarship recipient
Keyen (Keke) Singer is a third-year student from Mission, Oregon majoring in environmental studies with minors in Native American and Indigenous studies and legal studies. She’s co-director of the Native American Student Union and the Indigenous Womxn’s Wellness group, and in her free time, she enjoys sewing and beading regalia for powwow dancing.
Singer also interns with the Save Our Wild Salmon coalition’s NextGen Salmon Collective and hopes to build a career helping tribes address climate change and environmental justice.
“I’m so grateful for the support that’s helped me pursue my goals,” Singer said. “I want to use my education to give back to my community and help protect the environment.”
Piper Such
Lane County Ducks’ Sean Wilson Memorial Scholarship recipient
Piper Such is a first-year student majoring in journalism with aspirations to become a TV news anchor. She’s a member of the Delta Gammy sorority.
“I want to say thank you so much to our Duck alumni for your unconditional love and support that you’ve shown us,” Such said.
Support students this Ducks Give
—By April Miller, UO Alumni Association associate director of marketing and communications and Sameeha Chowdhury, UOAA student associate, class of 2026