Class Notes

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.

John A. Heldt, BS ’85, published his fifteenth novel, Camp Lake, in September 2019.

Jason Bennett, B.S. '00 (Business Administration), moved to Medellín, Colombia and is the new Chief Marketing Officer for hospitality and asset management firm Lifeafar.

As a Oregon Duck and a business student, I'm proud to announce that I've been hired as the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement at the Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon!

Renner Johnston, AIA, has been appointed President of Mogavero Architects, a renowned architecture firm based in Sacramento, California. Founded 40 years ago by David Mogavero (image, right), Mogavero Architects is known for its innovative and sustainable design solutions across a range of projects, from mixed-use developments and transit-oriented neighborhoods to student housing and residence halls. In his new role, Renner Johnston (image, left) will lead the firm's daily operations with a dedicated and diverse team, all driven by a shared passion for enhancing communities through thoughtful design. Renner received his Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from the University of Oregon in 1996.

www.mogaveroarchitects.com

Liz Swagerty Olsen joined Vision Capital Management in July 2024. She will lead all marketing, communications and business development activities for the independent, majority women-owned wealth management firm located in Portland.

https://vcmi.net/

Promoted to Sr. Vice President for Central Development at the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Steve Anderson, BA '89 (history/German), has two novels coming out in 2024. Anderson is the author of numerous books, mostly historical thrillers about gutsy underdogs. After UO he earned an MA in history and was a Fulbright Fellow in Germany. He’s also written historical nonfiction and translated bestselling German novels. Still a hopeless soccer addict who played club soccer at UO, he lives in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

https://www.stephenfanderson.com

BME ('83), MME (90), has earned her PhD in Education Leadership from Pacific University. Dot identified and defined five essential music teaching skills needed for the student teaching field placement. Dot is an adjunct professor at Pacific University where she teaches in the College of Education, Department of Music, and serves as a university supervisor of student teachers.