Carve Your Path
Our college years seemed to fly by — it seems like only yesterday when we arrived on campus for Week of Welcome, moved into the residence halls, ate our first Cheesy Griller.
The memories of these years will live on — the first time we wandered across the river on a fall afternoon with friends for Autzen madness, finding the perfect study spot and surviving our first finals week, waking up to a blanket of snow on the ground, coming back from spring break and finding a sun-drenched campus in bloom.
These were our seasons. Along the way we found our way, not in a straight line, but one that meandered. We discovered new places, met new friends, and learned new ideas. This was our path -our way- that led us to these finals days of college.
Now we’re getting ready to carve a new path. We’ll be leaving behind this leafy campus we love and embarking on new adventures, knowing the best lies ahead. That’s why it’s called commencement — it’s the start of something, not the end.
We are the class of 2018. Meet some of us.
Keene Corbin
Major: Geography with a minor in food studies.
Outside the classroom: Keene served as an RA for two years, participated in Geography Club’s "Map by Northwest," and worked as a teacher's assistant for the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program.
Favorite memory: That time one of his residents ate two Big Mouth burritos in under four minutes.
Did you know? Keene ran the Eugene Half Marathon three times and his favorite spot on campus is the Urban Farm.
Favorite professor/instructor: In the Geography Department: Shaul Cohen, Chris Bone, and Leslie McClees. He also enjoyed Harper Keeler in Landscape Architecture.
Advice to his first-year self: Keene would have spent more time at Saturday Market and got more involved in Eugene community events. He recommended all students check out the Craft Center in the EMU at least once.
What's next? He aspires to work for National Geographic and has applied to work for Harley-Davidson this summer as a cross-country social media influencer. Is there anything cooler than riding a motorcycle across the USA?
Raquel Ortega
Major: Advertising
If she knew then what she knows now: Raquel would tell her freshman self to surround herself with people who were doing work that she wanted to be doing. "Courage and motivation are contagious when everyone around you is working to better themselves every day."
Outside the classroom: She worked with Pac-12 Networks, Oregon Athletic Department, Emerald Media Group, Allen Hall Advertising, and the Division of Equity and Inclusion.
Favorite spot on campus: Raquel would sometimes wait up to 30 minutes to sit in the big chair in the Erb Memorial Union to study and decompress after class.
Professional highlight: She served as an Art Director for Allen Hall Advertising and worked on the Reset the Code campaign. "Seeing your work go up for everyone to see and for the chance for it to make a difference, nothing can beat that.”
What’s next: This summer she travels to Seattle (for the first time!) to begin a career as Art Director Intern for the advertising agency WongDoody. The best part? The agency was founded by a UO alum — Tracy Wong!
DaHyun Kim
Major: International studies with a minor in economics.
Advice for fellow transfer students: She said to not get overwhelmed and recognize that Oregon is another school where they can explore and achieve great things.
Did you know? DaHyun is originally from South Korea, and she had many opportunities to share her culture with the Eugene and Springfield community.
Kenya connection: She also fell in love with the east African nation during college. After coming back from Kenya, DaHyun continued to learn Swahili which allowed her to maintain her cultural connection to the country. "Professor Mokaya, who teaches all Swahili course at UO, has been a great mentor in my last year of college, and he indeed played a significant role navigating my life.”
Why she’s proud to be a Duck: She’s most proud because of all the amazing and supportive alumni. "Shout out to all of the amazing Ducks!"
What’s next: DaHyun is interested in working for international NGOs. "I want to give back what I learned from college. I am searching for an opportunity that will ensure a chance to experience firsthand how my small contributions will impact the world.”
Photo by Taylor Kissinger
Taylor Jackson
Major: Business administration with a concentration in operations and business analytics.
Outside the classroom: She mentored for the Building Business Leaders program for two years, served as a student ambassador for the Athletic Department, and spending 70 percent of her college career in the Lillis Business Complex.
Influencers: Without a doubt, Taylor said it was the people she surrounded herself with. “The people I've met along the way inspire me to continue to push the boundaries for myself and my community."
Dorm life: Taylor was appreciative of her first-year dorm experience where she roomed in the Business ARC residence hall Earl. There she made many long-lasting friends and felt she had jump-started her career within those walls.
Why she's proud to be a Duck: Taylor said she loved to see the drive all her classmates put forth to go conquer or change something out in the world, and of course she enjoyed the comradery and excitement of all the sporting events.
What's next: Because of her time with the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, she snagged a job in Chicago to work for Amazon as an Associate Account Executive in their Amazon Media Group.
Christopher Holloway
Major: General social science: applied economics and business.
Why he’s proud to be a Duck: Christopher is proud “because the University of Oregon has provided [him] the opportunity to be the first male in [his] family to attend and graduate a four-year university.”
Outside the classroom: He joined many groups that "promote inclusive education, diversity cultural awareness, and overall equity for Black students," such as the UO Black Student Task Force, where he was the Associate Leader for two years.
Advice to his first-year self: "While I would encourage my first-year self to draw strength from my community and use it as an inspirational catalyst to explore the world, I would encourage and obligate my first-year self to keep a tethered link to my community, never forget where I came from, and use the education I will get from the UO to give back to my community and by helping underprivileged African-American youth of Northeast Portland."
What's next: He will work at Nike World Headquarters as a Global Marketing Specialist Intern for Jordan Brand. He also plans to pursue concurrent degrees in Masters of Education and a Juris Doctorate degree.
Giselle Sheeran
Major: Interior Architecture.
Advice to her first-year self: "Relax! You're right where you need to be.” After applying for a random roommate, she was surprised to be matched with one of her best friends from high school. The match went so well that they're even planning to live with each other post-grad.
What she likes about Eugene: Giselle can proudly proclaim that she went to school in the weirdest town in America "I wouldn't trade the last five years and the friendships I've made for anything.”
Favorite spot on campus: She only revealed the location to her secret spot because she's graduating. It's the perfect lunch spot, and nobody is ever there — a little nook near the Columbia fountain nestled between the trees and Pacific Hall.
What’s next: Giselle admitted she can't sit still for long and hopes to travel to many places in the next 10 years, specifically to Austin and Tokyo. In her immediate future, she hopes to land an interior design job in Portland.
"Before You Go"
Join a club/organization that feels like your personal home away from home.
Sit on the Oversize Chair alone or with a study buddy.
Start your own tradition.
Find a Mentor to believe in your crazy ideas.
Stay up till 5 am working on a newspaper, which may or may not be a valid excuse to miss your 10 am.
Check out the Craft Center in the EMU.
Go to a game or match of every sports team at UO.
Do as many authentic Eugene things as possible.
Hike Spencer or Skinner Butte.
Go to the Saturday Market.
Visit the Urban Farm on campus.
Go to concerts at HiFi and shows at the Hult Center.
Study Abroad.
Make the Dean's List.
Become a leader in an organization of interest.
Take a class on a subject you have no prior knowledge on.
Gain at least three lifelong friends from different states.
Eat tacos from Ully's.
Do the Autzen walk.
Sit in the Student Section in Matthew Knight Arena.
Check out the nearby hot springs.
Float down the Willamette River.
Visit Crater Lake.
Explore Eugene!
