News

Alumni News: Every Duck Has a Story

From campus happenings to fascinating news from around the world, consider the UOAA your source for news about our alumni chapters and networks, updates about on-campus activities and milestones.

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Split image of Darya Kaboli-Nejad playing softball and law school portrait

From walk-on softball player to nonprofit founder

March 10, 2026

Darya Kaboli-Nejad, BA ’19 (international studies), has been an underdog her whole life, walking onto Oregon’s softball team, getting into law school, and now founding a nonprofit. Through The Soraya Foundation, she’s supporting former student-athletes pursuing postgraduate education.

A woman looking at strawberries

Emergency aid boosts student retention

March 10, 2026

Julia Morrill, BA ’94 (sociology), witnesses generosity in action every day as the UO's assistant dean of students and director of basic needs and off-campus community support. Through donor support, programs like the Students in Crisis Fund and Feed the Flock help hundreds of students each year.

'2026 Alumni Awards' on green background

Nominate a distinguished young alumni

March 10, 2026

Know a UO alum under 40 who’s making a powerful impact in their field or community? Nominate them for the 2026 Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Nominations close March 31.

A man in a purple shirt wears a headpiece with dark glasses-like lenses and a band around the head.

Building the future of empathic AI

March 10, 2026

Alec Freudenstein, MS '24 (immersive media communication), turned his master's project—an emotionally aware AI financial advisor—into a prototype that has been recognized by leading AI firms.

General News
Cory Mainor

Creating a Culture of Inclusion in Education

May 11, 2023

Cory Mainor, BA ’05 (English), MEd ’09 (teaching and learning), is an assistant principal at Arlington Public Schools in Washington, DC. He shares about how his experience as a Double Duck prepared him to be an educator.

Media Mentions
Unlocking the Art Market

Unlocking the Art Market

July 20, 2022
Twitter and video games were just a stepping stone for Derek Schloss, JD '14, into crypto. Five years later, the leading VC makes good on his "big unlock."
The Art of Tea

The Art of Tea

July 20, 2022
Through a lifelong study of the Japanese tea ceremony, Oregon’s Margie Yap, BA '79, learned how to brew an intentional life.
Grooving for Good mental health nonprofit initiative kicks off at UW

Grooving for Good mental health nonprofit initiative kicks off at UW

July 20, 2022
Musician Alex Wagner, BA '13, set his sights on helping college students address mental health challenges after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The prevalence of mental illness, much like his own, led to the inception of his nonprofit initiative, Grooving for Good.
Career News
Innovation University celebrates Oregon Ducks’ impact on design

Innovation University celebrates Oregon Ducks’ impact on design

December 12, 2022
As a highly touted recruit out of the Bay Area in the early 2000s, wide receiver Garren Strong, BS '07, remembers precisely when the University of Oregon first got on his radar. “I can say that the uniform design is one of the things that got me really interested in Oregon,” he said.
Building community a pot at a time

Building community a pot at a time

December 12, 2022
How can brightly colored pots and curated indoor and outdoor landscapes create community connections? Mose Lenowitz, BA '00, has figured out how.
Exploring Central Oregon's love of coffee

Exploring Central Oregon's love of coffee

December 12, 2022
As the sun begins to creep across the high desert, sleepy Central Oregonians step to the counter of their local coffee purveyor to order their favorite morning brew. While the customer’s path may take them from home to the barista and on to work, Backporch Coffee Roasters owner Dave Beach, BS '04, knows the coffee bean’s journey is significantly longer.
Sidelined by COVID, UO alum Jana Schmieding still delivers to campus crowd

Sidelined by COVID, UO alum Jana Schmieding still delivers to campus crowd

December 12, 2022
Native American comedienne, writer, and Duck Jana Schmieding, BA '05, switched gears ahead of her planned visit to the University of Oregon Tuesday, given she’s no longer a “super dodger.” Schmieding had planned to do a day full of activities at her alma mater, but tested positive for COVID-19 after landing in Eugene.
Video Highlights

Hashtags

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#DucksAfield

Ducks are everywhere! This exciting social campaign shows UO Alumni travelling all around the world showing their Duck pride. As you plan your travels, be sure to pack your UO gear and share your awesome pictures with us using #DucksAfield or email alumni@uoregon.edu.

#DuckLoveStories

Did you meet your partner or spouse at the UO? Each year around Valentine’s Day we ask Ducks to share their stories of how they met their special someone through a connection to the UO. Use #DuckLoveStories on social media. Submit your own story to be included in a future campaign.

#DuckBabies and #DuckPets

We can’t get enough of babies...and pets! If you have a new addition to your family and they are in UO gear, share your announcement using #DuckBabies or favorite moment with your pet using #DuckPets.

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