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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Shout
Parsa Aghel prepares for an oral argument on a case at the University of Chicago Law School.

Language as a tool for justice

November 19, 2025

Inspired by his parents, Parsa Aghel, BS '22 (political science, economics, Clark Honors College), sees storytelling as a tool for social change when it comes to the law.

General News
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."

Media Mentions
Innovation University celebrates Oregon Ducks’ impact on design

Innovation University celebrates Oregon Ducks’ impact on design

December 12, 2022
As a highly touted recruit out of the Bay Area in the early 2000s, wide receiver Garren Strong, BS '07, remembers precisely when the University of Oregon first got on his radar. “I can say that the uniform design is one of the things that got me really interested in Oregon,” he said.
Laila Macharia: Inside the mind of top investor

Laila Macharia: Inside the mind of top investor

December 12, 2022
From her 14th-floor corner office at the I&M Bank Tower, Laila Macharia, JD '07, has an eagle’s view of Nairobi’s bustling central business district (CBD). This vantage point in a way mirrors her place among the top dealmakers in Kenya’s corporate boardrooms and investing circles.
Career News
You’ve Got a Friend

You’ve Got a Friend

December 15, 2022
In 1993, Duncan Campbell, JD '73, established Friends of the Children in Portland. Friends of the Children is a nationwide nonprofit that has been around for 30 years. Recently, in the summer of 2020, it expanded to Lane County.
Video Highlights
Rise Above Thumbnail Graphic

Rise Above: The Job Search During Down Economies

June 10, 2020

Learn how to job search during down economies from Eddie Ranchigoda, MBA '93 as Founder and Lead Strategist at Brand Continuum, Elena Fracchia, BA '06, MPA '11 as Wealth and Philanthropic Advisor at Columbia Bank, and Todd Gooding, BS '91 as President and Chief Investment Officer at ScanlanKemperBard Companies.

Matt and Orlando C-Suite Archive Thumbnail

C-Suite Breakfast featuring CEOs/Presidents/Founders

May 31, 2019

Invigorate your career by learning from Matt Thomas, BA '02 the CEO and Founder of Brew Dr. Kombucha/Townshend’s Tea/Townshend's Distillery and Orlando Williams, BS '95 the President and CEO of Motus, a Pacific Northwest recruiting and staffing firm.

CEOs & Executive Director Panel

C-Suite Breakfast featuring female CEOs/Executive Directors

January 10, 2019

Sandra McDonough, BA ’76, and Carmen Rubio, BA ’99, are UO alumnae who lead two of Portland’s most influential organizations. Over breakfast, they discuss their own experiences and provide valuable information you’ll be able to use on your own career path.

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.

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.

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