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/

Kirkus Reviews has given Michael N. McGregor's first novel, The Last Grand Tour, a starred review and chosen it to be a Book of the Month for January 2025. The Last Grand Tour tells the passionate story of an American tour guide in Europe who deals with surly, secretive passengers and finds what he hopes is love on one last ten-day tour from Munich to Venice. Korza Books will release McGregor's novel on January 28, 2025. Kirkus calls it "a captivating exploration of the promise and burden of passionate love." McGregor received a Journalism degree from the UO and was a reporter and critic for many years before earning an MFA in Creative Writing at Columbia University. He went on to teach creative writing at Southern Illinois University and Portland State University. Now, he runs the website WritingtheNorthwest.com and interviews Northwest authors on stage for the Cascadia Writers-in-Conversation series.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/michael-n-mcgregor/the-last-grand-tour/

My debut novel, Leafskin, is forthcoming from Stillhouse Press in March 2025. A story of queer love and family-making, rooted in folklore and poetry, Leafskin explores the uncanny magics of creation in a time of environmental destruction. It was partially inspired by my time at UO.

https://www.stillhousepress.org/stillhouse-store/leafskin

JADI CAMPBELL, BA '80 (Clark Honors College, English) second novel Tsunami Cowboys was longlisted for the 2019 Screen Craft Cinematic Book Competition.

Katty Kaunang ’16: From Tech Marketing to Inspiring Children's Author Katty Kaunang ’16, a Marketing Manager in the tech world, recently channeled her personal experience into a heartwarming children's book, "The Good Red Crayon." Inspired by her late brother's courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), the story follows Red, a vibrant crayon who faces illness with unwavering spirit, mirroring the resilience Katty witnessed in her brother. "The Good Red Crayon" is a beautiful tale of acceptance, friendship, and perseverance in the face of adversity. As Red learns to adapt and find new ways to contribute, young readers are empowered to embrace their own challenges with courage and hope. Katty aspires to continue writing children's books that uplift and inspire, potentially exploring STEM themes in future works. Her debut book stands as a touching tribute to her brother and a testament to the power of the human spirit. Proceeds from "The Good Red Crayon" support the Tasian research laboratory at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Find "The Good Red Crayon" on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and bacapibo.com (available in Indonesian and English).

Vacationing at Cape Sounion on the southern tip of Greece.

Six of many Boynton Hall residents of 1964-1967 were invited to attend several get togethers over Labor Day weekend, with six making appearances.... Randy Gore, Greg Mowe, Ken Walter, Mike Lightbourn, Paul Polsky (former Oregon Daily Emerald sports editor for a few years), and Michael Dale Glover. The last Boynton gathering was in 2018. A few fellows have passed on in that time including Mike Knight and Marty Boyesen....all the more reason for Boyntonians to rally to next year's "reunion." It was a relief to see Boynton Hall won't be replaced by a women's volleyball practice court, but Hamilton Complex's future is still in dire straits.

Sharleen Nelson, BS ’06 (journalism: magazine, news editorial), an editor and writer at the UO, has published her first novel, The Time Tourists.

Sacramento Magazine named Nicole Granquist, JD '98, a 2019 Top Lawyer in environmental practice.

Being named one of The Hispanic Executive’s 30 Under 30 honorees is an honor beyond words. This recognition highlights 30 Latino professionals across the U.S. who are leading with innovation, passion, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Above all, I’m proud to share this honor with my friends, family, partner, and community, including all those at the University of Oregon. I truly believe that nothing is possible without those who help us see a better version of ourselves to strive for. Go Ducks!

https://hispanicexecutive.com/ngc/30-under-30/naily-nevarez/

Hello fellow Ducks! In Spring 2010, I took a screenwriting class with Chris Matheson (A Goofy Movie, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure), and wrote a treatment and outline for a Studio Ghibli-style movie. At the time he encouraged me to continue with the story, but go about it another way. Then, I graduated, and moved to Japan, having finished my studies in East Asia and Film-making (the first graduate of the Film Studies program!). I worked for television, film, and music video sets, and wrote for magazines and news sites for six years in Japan, and almost entirely forgot about the story I had written in the screenwriting class. Then, my husband (and fellow duck!) got accepted into UVA Law, and we moved from Asia to Virginia. I worked as a journalist in Charlottesville during the 2017 Unite the Right Rally and subsequent court cases, fallout, and other swirling circumstances. I took VA Governor McAuliffe to court after he denied a FOIA request, and I won, reshaping journalism and freedom of speech protections in Virginia. I also produced and edited a documentary on the 2017 rally that debuted at the Virginia Film Festival. Now, I'm a Marketing Director for a White House program that focuses on fundraising for nonprofit participants in a federal workplace giving program. After years of hustling and juggling multiple jobs, this career provides me stability, and the space and time to write for pleasure in my spare time. And that's when I remembered the story I had started way back in 2010 at UO. I hadn't ever forgotten it. Now, I knew I was equipped to take on this story at last. For years I wrote and rewrote it, and then I edited and queried it. And now, I will be a published author! GHOST TRAIN, set in 1877 Kyoto, is being published October 15, 2024 by SelectBooks Publishing. It has been endorsed by Daisuke Miyao (former professor at UO of Japanese History and Language), Jake Adelstein (Tokyo Vice), Robert Whiting (Pulitzer Prize Short-list), Eva Wong Nava, and more. I'd love to share my story and advice to other Ducks who want to be writers, and about never giving up on dreams. And -- all about how something planted in college can be a late bloomer, but still make your dreams come true. It's a wild journey and I'm so thankful the UO community and experiences have continued to help me, years and years down the road. Thank you!

Amy Bowers Cordalis, is a Grist 50 honoree, and is featured on this year's list.
https://grist.org/fix/grist-50/2024/#amy-bowers-cordalis

6 former classmates from Boynton Hall gathered in September to attend the Idaho football game and pay homage to their college dorm, which also served in the late 1960’s as headquarters of the fictitious Creston Creek College. Pictured (left to right) Mike Glover, Paul Polsky, Mike Lightbourn, Greg Mowe, Ken Walter, Randy Gore.