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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General News
Honoring Duck Dads

Honoring Duck dads

June 10, 2024

This month, we celebrate the fathers and father figures who have impacted our lives. Members of the UO community share special reflections and gratitude for their dads and the fathers of their own little ducklings.

Shout
People gathering at the University of Oregon for Homecoming weekend.

Welcome home, Ducks!

October 14, 2025

Over Homecoming Weekend, October 24–26, come home to a place you remember at the Homecoming pep rally; Run, Walk, and Roll with the Duck 5K; and more. 

Person in a white shirt and black 'P' cap standing with arms crossed against a plain background.

Building a brand on a love for Portland

October 14, 2025

Marcus Harvey, BS ’12 (digital arts), founded Portland Gear just two years after graduation from the UO. He has scaled the business from a small T-shirt start-up to a global travel bag brand. 

Might Oregon Tailgate Ducks at Washington text with fans watching the game in the stadium.

Show your Duck pride in Husky territory

October 14, 2025

The flock is flying north to represent the Ducks in Seattle on November 29! Before UO and UW meet on the field, celebrate favorite Oregon traditions with us at the Mighty Oregon Tailgate. Space is limited, so secure your spot.

Media Mentions
AWC-SB 2024 Founder’s Award Winners Announced at November Meeting Focused on Stress Relief

AWC-SB 2024 Founder’s Award Winners Announced at November Meeting Focused on Stress Relief

November 5, 2024
Santa Barbara, CA – The Association for Women in Communications Santa Barbara (AWC-SB) announced that the three student, next-generation journalists are the recipients of the 2024 Founder’sAward in recognition of their work. Victoria Gonzalez, PhD, BA ’04, is a licensed psychologist specializing in interpersonal and identity issues, dedicated to helping individuals lead more authentic and meaningful lives.
Women of Impact Event Honors Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine

Women of Impact Event Honors Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine

November 5, 2024
HONOLULU (Oct. 26, 2024) – At a celebration at the East-West Center in Honolulu yesterday evening, the Center was delighted to recognize Her Excellency Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, BS ’74, with its 2024 Women of Impact Award. As the first woman to lead a Micronesian nation, Heine has become a symbol of gender equality and women’s empowerment across the Pacific. In addition, she has had significant successes as a leader in education and made important contributions to climate change advocacy.
San Diego author gives new, expansive main character energy with novel ‘Because Fat Girl’

San Diego author gives new, expansive main character energy with novel ‘Because Fat Girl’

October 9, 2024
Lauren Marie Fleming, JD ’11, wants to see better storytelling, with more empathy and empowerment on the page As soon as Lauren Marie Fleming learned to write, xe was eager to share it with others. One of her earliest memories is of racing up to her father when he got home from working on the farm and making him watch her write her name in red crayon, something xe’d just learned to do that day. (Lauren uses the neopronoun xe, pronounced “zee,” which can be used by nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and transgender people.)
Yale’s Anthony Leiserowitz looks to globalize climate change education

Yale’s Anthony Leiserowitz looks to globalize climate change education

October 9, 2024
Anthony Leiserowitz, MS ’98, PHD ’03, is the director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, a climate change lab with varied projects: ranging from national surveys capturing the views of Americans on climate change, to consulting services for international governments on how best to engage individuals with this field.
Master Luthiers Make Music in Central Oregon

Master Luthiers Make Music in Central Oregon

October 9, 2024
Rebecca Urlacher, BFA ’96, is a rarity in the lutherie world. In the early 2000s, she Googled “female luthiers” and found only three women in the field. “She’s one of the top 10 builders I’ve encountered,” said Boswell. “She can voice a top like no one else.” Voicing a top involves tapping the wood, carefully listening to the tone and then adjusting its thickness and shape.
Career News
Lattice Announces CFO Transition

Lattice Announces CFO Transition

November 5, 2024
Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ: LSCC), the low power programmable leader, today announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Sherri Luther, effective immediately, to pursue a new opportunity. Lattice Corporate Vice President, Corporate Controller Tonya Stevens, BS ’94, was appointed interim CFO, to facilitate a seamless transition while the Board conducts a search to identify a new CFO.
This US man failed Spanish in school. Now he’s running a language school in Spain

This US man failed Spanish in school. Now he’s running a language school in Spain

October 9, 2024
Relocating to another country is a dream come true for many people, yet when the language is a nightmare it can be a major deterrent. But a 36-year-old former gardener from California who flunked Spanish language at high school embraced his fate when a short-term stay on the island of Mallorca led to him finding the love of his life and starting a flourishing business – one that he’d never have dreamed of starting. Ted Purdom, BA ’11, from San Anselmo, California, graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in English and enrolled in an overseas language program, aiming to learn Spanish.
Bureau of Indian Affairs gets new director in Bryan Mercier

Bureau of Indian Affairs gets new director in Bryan Mercier

September 19, 2024
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has a new director for the first time in more than six years. Bryan Mercier, BS ’97, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community, began serving as “acting” director of the BIA on September 8, according to a news release. He will be permanently assigned to the position once Darryl LaCounte, the current director, retires from federal service later this year.
Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver Appoints New Executive Director

Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver Appoints New Executive Director

September 9, 2024
Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver is proud to announce the hire of Executive Director Kim Gammond, BS ’03, who assumes her role effective September 16. Gammond joins Habitat following her tenure as executive director of City Club of Central Oregon, where she led transformative growth in outreach, programming and fundraising.
Video Highlights
AI Everyday at Work

Ducks in Tech Presents: AI Everyday @ Work

November 29, 2023

In this first installment of conversations about AI hosted by the Ducks in Tech alumni group, you'll gain insight into what is happening now and what’s on the horizon for AI. You'll discover how AI might influence your career journey and what tools can support your role today and in the near future. We’ll also consider potential risks and concerns associated with this new technology.

Interview With Flair

Interview With Flair

November 3, 2023

Lisa Poliak, BA ’97 (international studies), founder and director of Inner Genius Prep, a career and educational consulting company based in Santa Monica, CA, will teach you how to Interview with Flair. Lisa has been helping her coaching clients authentically shine and land their dream jobs for over a decade, and is sharing her interviewing tips with fellow Ducks.

Ducks in Tech

Ducks in Tech: Climate Tech - The Sustainable Economy Transformation

May 3, 2023

Hear an online panel discussion about the state of the climate tech industry and the rapid changes occurring at the intersection of environmental policy, technology, and business. Hear from alumni working in sustainable energy roles and participate in the conversation about the future of climate tech.

Ask a Recruiter

Ask a Recruiter: UO Alumni Panel

April 19, 2023

Hear an expert panel of recruiters share honest and effective approaches to making the job search a little easier! You'll gain tips and strategies on how to stand out as a top candidate in your job search, how to connect with recruiters, and even what it takes to break into the recruiting field. With our panelists' insights and real-world advice, you'll be armed with the skills to pursue the job you want.

Women's Leadership In Business Panel

Women's Leadership in Business Panel

April 12, 2023

Hear a discussion with women business leaders about how they've carved a path in their fields. Learn their leadership styles, the career hurdles they've faced on the road to success, and lessons they have learned about advocating for themselves and others.

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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