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
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.”

Aurora Diaz

Aurora Diaz

October 2, 2023

Aurora Diaz, BA ’12 (public relations), is the founder of The Jefas, a first-of-its-kind beauty platform aspiring to be the Sephora for Latina-founded brands. She’s also a steering committee member for the Patos Alumni Network. “I think if you have an idea and you are persistent and you really feel like that’s what you need to go out and do, it’s there for a reason. It’s your calling; it’s a product you must bring to life."

Shout
What's your Duck travel persona?

Learn your Duck travel persona

November 19, 2025

Take a personality quiz on our Alumni Travel Blog, and we’ll match you with the perfect UOAA Travel Program tour and holiday gift.

Jenny Bender, Sharon Bryan, Karen Coon, Susan Scovil, Mary Jo Kealy, Cat Weber, Faye Blumenthal, Patty Pavel Lentz, Lexie Caswell, and Susan Ota around a table smile at the camera with red cups and white mugs in front of them.

Fifty years of alumni friendship

November 19, 2025

After meeting in the D-wing of Carson Hall in 1975, six UO alumnae have stayed connected across time zones and life stages. The group will reunite once again in 2026.

Two softball players embrace near home plate during a pre-game ceremony, with teammates lined up along the baseline and a crowd in the stands at Jane Sanders Stadium.

An inspiring comeback after a life-changing injury

November 19, 2025

As a senior, Hanna Delgado broke her neck diving for a fly ball. The Oregon softball alumna shares on the Mighty Oregon Podcast how family, teammates, and faith have helped her return to normal life.

A large group of University of Oregon Ducks fans gathering in an event space wearing Ducks gear.

Stay game day ready this postseason

November 19, 2025

Wherever Oregon football goes, the UO Alumni Association brings alumni together through tailgates, travel, and exclusive fan experiences. Sign up now for exclusive updates and first access to postseason events.

Media Mentions
Meet Sisters Startup Bivvi at this Month’s Central Oregon PubTalk

Meet Sisters Startup Bivvi at this Month’s Central Oregon PubTalk

July 18, 2024
EDCO’s Central Oregon PubTalk is setting up camp at Sisters Makers this month! Gather ’round as local startup Bivvi, builder of tiny cabins, showcases their innovative, sustainable designs. Co-founder and CEO Dylan Woock, BARC ’13, attended the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts where he discovered a passion for sustainable design practices. He focuses on integrating fundamental knowledge from the land, people and culture into architecture to make better buildings and design
Peter Buxtun, Tuskegee syphilis study whistleblower, dies at 86

Peter Buxtun, Tuskegee syphilis study whistleblower, dies at 86

July 18, 2024
Peter Buxtun, BA ’59, a whistleblower who exposed and helped end the Tuskegee syphilis study, a four-decade experiment in which the U.S. Public Health Service used hundreds of Black men as human guinea pigs, died May 18 at a memory-care center in Rocklin, Calif. He was 86.
Golfweek Pacific Northwest Senior Championship headed to Wine Valley GC on the heels of PNGA Men's Amateur

Golfweek Pacific Northwest Senior Championship headed to Wine Valley GC on the heels of PNGA Men's Amateur

July 18, 2024
The Senior division also includes Jim Pliska, BS ’81, owner of Wine Valley Golf Club. Pliska, who also owns Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, Oregon, has built his career in the golf business while also keeping his game sharp. Pliska played for the University of Oregon in the 1970s, and continues to compete in Oregon Golf Association events. He won the OGA Tournament of Champions in 1986,1988 and 2000.
Three Oregon alumni honored by sports department

Three Oregon alumni honored by sports department

July 18, 2024
Friday, Oregon announced that it has selected three people to receive their athletic department's distinguished alumni awards. Ducks men's basketball hall of famer, Luke Jackson, BS ’04, was awarded the 2024 Leo Harris Award. Softball alumni Janell Bergstrom Cook, BA ’03, MS ’05, was given the Becky L. Sisley award. The last award, the order of the o, was given to the editor-in-chief of goducks.com, Rob Moseley, BA ’99. The three will be honored in a ceremony during the October 26th football game against Illinois in Autzen Stadium.
Career News
Fermenting the Future

Fermenting the Future

August 8, 2024
Linfield University recently named Anna Maria Ponzi, BA ’87, permanent director of its Center for Wine Education, an interim position she held for two months.
Eugene Opera names new executive director

Eugene Opera names new executive director

July 31, 2024
Eugene Opera has named longtime Eugene resident and local arts administrator Kari Welch, CG ’19, as their new Executive Director. Welch holds a bachelor’s degree in theater and dance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Oregon. She has worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations in Eugene, including Lane Arts Council, Wellsprings Friends School, and The Very Little Theatre.
Joey Harrington, Ashton Eaton among newest Portland Thorns investors

Joey Harrington, Ashton Eaton among newest Portland Thorns investors

July 31, 2024
The Bhathal family announced Thursday that for the second time in as many months, they are adding more Portland Thorns investors to their group, including a trio of names most Oregon sports fans would recognize. Joey Harrington, BS ’01, along with two-time gold medalist Ashton Eaton, BA ’10, and bronze medalist Brianne Theisen-Eaton, BA ’11, are a part of the latest round of investors.
Video Highlights
Make Shift Happen In Your Career

Make Shift Happen In Your Career

March 24, 2022

Join Anthony Trucks, BS '08, as he teaches simple steps to gain clarity and direction to reach higher levels of success in your career and in life. A former UO football player and NFL Athlete-turned international speaker and career coach, Anthony's life mission is teaching others how to "Make Shift Happen" in their career.

Grow With Google

Grow With Google: Learn The Basics of Google Ads

March 21, 2022

Consumers no longer “go online,” they live online! In fact, 49 percent of shoppers surveyed said they use Google to discover new items or products, and each search is an opportunity for your business to connect with potential customers. Are you showing up? Join UO alumnus Bryan Caplan, BA '07 your dedicated trainer for Grow with Google, as he walks you through the ins and outs of Google Ads. In less than an hour, you’ll learn how Google Ads work and walk away with a plan to create your own text ads to attract more customers.

Ducks in Tech

Ducks in Tech: Equitable Hiring, Diverse Teams, Successful Companies

January 27, 2022

Building a strong and thriving business requires team members from a broad set of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Hear from Duck alumni in the tech industry who share their advice and insights on how innovative companies can lean forward to evolve their recruiting programs, hiring processes and commit to creating inclusive environment for long term success.

How to Win on LinkedIn

How to Win on LinkedIn with Merryn Roberts-Huntley, MBA '06

October 2, 2021

LinkedIn is your own virtual billboard, and its become even more important with the highly virtual nature of finding a job. Whether you’re looking for a job now, or will be in your future, this workshop with Merryn Roberts-Huntley, MBA '06 will help you up your LinkedIn game!

Building Your Resilience

Building Your Resilience: An Interactive Workshop with Mariko Lin, PhD

June 25, 2021

How much energy do you have left to invest in the future? We have recently marked a year into this pandemic and cultivating resilience is more important than ever before. Whether you are in a cycle of burnout or struggling to find the motivation to reengage, many of us are looking forward to a time when things will hopefully feel easier. That is where this workshop comes in.

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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