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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A music conductor standing with their arms crossed.

Creating community through musical composition

April 14, 2026

Steffen Schmidt, class of 2014, composes music for video games and virtual reality film experiences. In 2025, he collaborated with UO Track and Field and University of Oregon Athletics to release “Runnin’ It,” a song honoring the legacy of Hayward Field.

Two female basketball players during a game.

Leader of the pack

April 14, 2026

Oregon women's basketball guard Sofia Bell, BS '25 (business administration), shares her story on the Mighty Oregon Podcast. Discover how the second-generation Ducks basketball star has made a name for herself, on and off the court.

Fifteen young men in the a cappella group On the Rocks stand and sit in two rows for a photo in front of Autzen Stadium, with the yellow Oregon O in the background.

On the Rocks 2010: Where are they now?

April 14, 2026

A YouTube video gone viral, a reality competition show, and Friday performances at the EMU defined 2010 for UO’s all-male a cappella group On the Rocks. Today, their brotherhood and experiences still guide them, years and careers later. 

Two young women stand in front of a chalkboard and pull down projector screen presenting in a classroom.

The Alumni Project

April 14, 2026

A new networking course series in the Clark Honors College is connecting students with alumni in related professional sectors. Discover senior journalism major Mirandah Davis-Powell's key takeaways from UO alumni in media and communications careers. 

General News
Looking at law through an intersectional lens

Looking at law through an intersectional lens

December 1, 2023
Alum Jakob Hollenbeck, BS ’22 (political science), focused on mass incarceration and juvenile dependency systems while at the UO. Now, he's studying at Georgetown Law School on a full-tuition scholarship.
Jackie Gutierrez

Jackie Gutierrez

October 3, 2023

Jackie Gutierrez, MA ’21 (journalism), is the founder of Women Kick Balls, an independent media company focused on authentic storytelling centered around women’s soccer. Despite growing up with a host of academic challenges and often being the only Hispanic woman in the room, Gutierrez now has more than 3,150 subscribers, a successful magazine, and, most recently, had the privilege of covering the 2023 Women’s World Cup. “I have taken my identity as a young Hispanic female and owned it. I already stick out like a sore thumb, so it fuels me to think that my voice is important. I would get really discouraged earlier in my career walking into a room that was full of old, White men, but now I think ‘who cares?’. I have the experience and the credibility . . . and people know my character.”

Media Mentions
Alison Bjorkedal: A story of harp, Hollywood and the heart

Alison Bjorkedal: A story of harp, Hollywood and the heart

October 21, 2022
Pomona College music lecturer Alison Bjorkedal, BMus '03, fell in love with the harp as a freshman in high school, although she couldn’t even dream then that she could make a life out of it. Decades later, though, Bjorkedal has won a Grammy, worked with major recording artists like Madonna, Sia and Kid Cudi and recorded for Hollywood blockbusters, something that her childhood self didn’t think was possible.
Comics journalist Joe Sacco at the 2022 Malta Book Festival

Comics journalist Joe Sacco at the 2022 Malta Book Festival

October 21, 2022
Maltese-American comic book artist and journalist Joe Sacco, BA '81, will be in Malta this November as a guest of the 2022 Malta Book Festival. Considered one of the world's greatest cartoonists, Sacco is widely hailed as the creator of a new form of journalism in the shape of war reportage comics.
Grapheme is the Central District’s cozy home for letterpress

Grapheme is the Central District’s cozy home for letterpress

July 25, 2022
Tweezer in hand, Mandolin Brassaw, PhD '08, concentrates like a surgeon in the operating theater as she places metal letters in minuscule 6-point type into a curved tray. She spells out the words of a Yayoi Kusama poem, which she will later print onto a card festooned with a vintage postage stamp as part of a series of artistic prints that combine poetry with creative typography.
Career News
Paul Neevel at the Emerald Art Center

Paul Neevel at the Emerald Art Center

December 14, 2022
For Eugene old timers, photographer Paul Neevel, MA '72, MFA '76, needs no introduction. His “Happening People” column has been a local staple since 1989, appearing regularly in the local alt-newspaper Eugene Weekly.
Video Highlights
CIO Panel

C-Suite Breakfast featuring CIOs

January 8, 2019

Brandon Gatke, MS ’08 and Dale Goodno, MS '98 are two Ducks in chief information officer positions. Watch as they discuss their experiences and reflect on leadership, teamwork, integrity, and career advancement.

CEO&President Panel

C-Suite Breakfast featuring CEOs/Presidents

January 8, 2019

Watch this inaugural UO C-Suite Breakfast, where we spotlight, Stuart Allen, BS ’85, and Bob Peterson, BS ’74, engage in active and insightful conversation about leadership, community, and career advancement.

Duck Insider: Unconventional Routes for Career Success

June 12, 2017

A career path rarely follows a straight line – a successful career path follows your passions through unconventional twists and turns. Watch this webinar to learn how Boaz Hillebrand, BA '09 and Gloria Kim, BA '10 let their unique interests, "ah-ha" moments, and personality guide them to careers they now love.

Duck Insider: Careers for the Social Good

December 1, 2016

Three Duck Insiders share their career journeys and the passions that led them to where they are today ... Though their careers differ and the work they do impacts different parts of the world, they have a shared authenticity and inspiring insight for anyone interested in social impact work.

Personal Finance: 101

September 27, 2016

As part of the Career Success series, Personal Finance: 101, discusses the basics of money management, debt repayment, and financial goals. A special thanks to Oregon Community Credit Union for sponsoring this presentation!

Hashtags

#UOAlumni

The official hashtag of the UO Alumni Association is #UOAlumni. Follow along on the #UOAlumni and add your voice to our story when you include #UOAlumni on your social media posts.

#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.

Social Media Feed

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