UO Annual Giving Blog

Goodbye Junior Year - Chelsea

2012-06-17T22:00:00-08:00

This week has been filled with graduation parties and it truly has been bittersweet. I'm so proud and happy for my senior friends, but also saddened by the thought of them not being here this upcoming year. We have all been trying not to dwell on those thoughts, but rather celebrate the experience we have had together here.

Yesterday was my old neighbor's grad party as well as my roommate's. It's was so nice to finally be able to meet their families. The experience only made me feel closer to them and of course it is always fun to hear embarrassing stories about when they were younger.

So far summer in Eugene has been everything I could hope for. The weather has been amazing and my friends and I have been taking advantage of sun bathing on my deck. I know that this next year is going to be great. So far each year I have been in college has only been getting better and better. I definitely think I experienced the most growth in the past year. A lot of it due to my time abroad and the new friend and situations I have been in this year. Although some of my choices haven't been the best academically, I still have learned so much in and outside of the classroom. I now have a new major that has been teaching me to become bilingual.

That's not the only thing I have gained this year, the friendships and memories I have made are truly priceless. I am so thankful for everyone that has been part of my life this year and I really will never forget them. This year has been such a blessing and couldn't have ended more perfectly.

Over and Out - Katie

2012-06-16T20:42:00-08:00

Well, friends and readers, this is it: the final blog.

It's been quite the run. Tomorrow I graduate with a Masters of Arts in Conflict and Dispute Resolution, to be added to my previous UO Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Comparative Literature. I arrived in Eugene for the first time seven years ago, an almost-senior in high school, searching for a college experience. Six years ago I was already counting down to my first day at the UO. Five years ago I was tortured by my first college farewell: moving out of the dorms and back to Colorado for a summer. Four years ago I was finishing my study abroad in Valdivia, Chile. Three years ago I was preparing for a fabulous summer in Eugene, working with Inside-Out and developing my undergraduate thesis plans. Two years ago I was preparing my undergraduate commencement address and then closing that college experience. Last year I was getting ready for my fieldwork and research in Honduras.

It's been an extraordinary time.

I began blogging the fall after I returned from Chile. I remember agonizing over that first entry, knowing it would stand for the duration of my UO blogging career. Now a blog is second-nature to me: it is a way of adding meaning to my weeks, and to marking the important events of my life. But this last blog is a bit of a challenge: it is the final record of my University years. I've written well over a hundred blogs, and this one is the last.

So allow me to indulge myself a bit, and go over these last few years.

I am leaving the UO knowing that I have made a difference here. If you have followed my blog, you have tracked my start as an Inside-Out intern, and how that developed into my work as a Graduate Teaching Fellow, a member of the Oregon State Penitentiary Think Tank, the editor of the first Inside-Out Magazine, a founder of the Serbu Book Club and Youth Re-Entry Project, and as a creator of a now-flourishing Inside-Out alumni student group. If you have read me over the years, you know that I arrived at a crucial moment for Inside-Out, and I grabbed the opportunity and made some exciting things happen.

You have also followed me through my work in immigration issues, beginning with Volunteers in Medicine and progressing through my trips with No More Deaths to the Arizona border, and in working with local activist groups and in research/internship trips in Central America. You have seen this develop as an academic interest and as a focal point for my social justice interests.

In these years of blogging, I've shared what it has meant to be a UO student, from coursework to thesis writing. I have shared my experiences with faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduates. You have watched as I've come into my own as a member of this campus community, and with the work I've done in Eugene at large.

On that note, I know I am graduating with the well-wishes of so many wonderful people. I am leaving with the blessing of Sister Helen Prejean, a dozen fabulous professors, the men I know at the prison, the students I've served as GTF, the student and community organizations I've taken part in, and the many people who have become my friends in these years.

Soon I am leaving in pursuit of this next phase of my life. It begins with travel throughout Europe (Prague, Turkey, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Amsterdam, Scotland...?), and then will resolve into a year studying International Human Rights Law through Queen's University in Belfast. I will have both adventure and a chance to continue my career and my passions in this new setting.

I guess I should wrap up this blog. I want to end with some kind of snappy words of wisdom, or an invitation to a certain understanding of these years. But the truth is that I am here, sitting in my nearly-empty apartment on the eve of my graduation, and feeling a sense of quiet satisfaction. I don't have any grand words. I just feel that I have accomplished far beyond what I set out to do: I came to the University, I loved my years here, and I know I am leaving a fair chunk of influence and inspiration behind.

So on that note, friends and readers, I'm going to take my leave. Thank you for your presence over these years. I hope you've found my words worthwhile.

This, along with so many other things, has led me to who I am today. Watch me launch.

"Tell me, what is it that you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"
--Mary Oliver
from "The Summer Day"

Nathan�s & Missy�s New Chapter - Chelsea

2012-06-11T23:00:00-08:00

Our dear friend Nathan has finally returned after being away since January. Nathan has been studying abroad in Seville, Spain for the past few months. Although he had a life changing experience, you can tell he is happy to be home. Nathan lived in my room fall term while I was abroad and then I took his place once he took off. Next year he will take my current roommate's Colleen's room since she is graduating this year. Even though everyone is having a busy dead week, we all made the time to celebrate Nathan's homecoming. We are all so happy for him to be home with us and we're excited for memories that are in store for the future.

This weekend I also had to find time in my busy schedule to come home for my little sister's graduation. It is honestly so surreal that she is graduating already. I can remember waking up early for grad practice, nervously receiving my diploma while praying not to fall, and taking millions of pictures after the ceremony so vividly still. It truly feels like it was just the other day. Missy has decided to follow another path and she will be attending OSU next year. It was wonderful to see her graduate and I'm excited for her to start this next step in her life. Now I must try to get a good night of rest so I can hurry back to Eugene in the morning to finish the rest of my finals. Then it is finally summer!!

A Visit from the Little Sister - Katie

2012-06-10T19:21:00-08:00

My sister came to visit this weekend. From one perspective the timing was atrocious: this is the midst of my packing, leave-taking, and general process of bidding farewell to my college years. From another perspective, though, I got to have one awesome last hurrah in Eugene, with Kelly here with me to share in the fun.

And it was really, really fun.

Kelly and I are remarkably different people. She is short with dark hair, while I am tall and blond. She is a musical theater major at Colorado Mesa University, singing and dancing her way toward a degree and a future as an actress. She's all drama, all the time, with a mixture of extroverted showmanship and startling shyness in certain social situations. Her enthusiasm for theater makes an odd combination with my (in comparison) rather stodgy love for schoolwork, research, and the academic path. We are each making our way through the world by unconventional paths, but with a real passion. After a childhood of being close friends, it is startling to emerge in such different fields and divergent futures. We are very truly different people, the Little Sister and I.

But, as several friends commented this weekend, we have the same voice-laugh, speech patterns and all.

Kelly and I accomplished what I rarely do in a weekend: we got a bit of work done, but mostly hung out eating good food, watching nerdy TV (Blue Planet from the Discover Chanel as well as Firefly, the ultimate sci-fi experience), hanging out with friends, and going out for a great night of dancing in the "Barmuda Triangle" part of downtown. We laughed, we talked, we said a couple of goodbyes, and we essentially did what we've always done as sisters: we hung out together.

Next year is Kelly's final year of college. She'll graduate and then be off to some grand next phase of life, whether that's theater performance on cruise ships or voice-over acting for children's audiobooks. She'll be singing, tap dancing, obsessing over Shark Week, and making my fashion sense look ridiculous as usual.

I have always felt grateful for having a cool little sister. I've always thought she was this great companion through our years of growing up climbing trees, swimming, doing crafts, making up imaginary games, and then going through school-me always three years ahead. Some people become more alike as they age, and I don't think there's a single person who would say that about the two of us. Instead, the Little Sister and I have become our own people: two strong women looking to make a splash in the world.

What's wonderful, and what has left me with such a sense of hope and happiness at the end of our weekend together, is that we're going to live all our future adventures as friends. And that's a remarkable thing.

Thanks for the weekend, Kelly! I'm so lucky to have you.

Planning Graduation - Jennifer

2012-06-10T00:00:00-08:00

Graduation is supposed to be a fun, stress free time to celebrate a huge accomplishment. However it is quite the opposite! For the last month all I have been doing is running around preparing for this one day.

First off, getting the hotel rooms. Something I should have done months ago. The worst part is the day after graduation is the Special Olympics Trials which makes the hotels around the campus area even more booked. After I found a hotel a far distance from campus I had to make sure my family could get over to campus. There will be no parking but fortunately UO will be providing many shuttles to get family over here.

After that came the announcements. My Mom did not want me to just send out announcements but a picture with them. I asked one of my sisters who is a phenomenal photographer to take pictures of me. Then I got them printed out and sent them in all the announcements. I addressed them to people I have never met and sent them all across the United States.

Now, what do I do with my family when they are all here? We are all going to PF Changs for dinner. I have to get reservations for a party of eleven. Trying to coordinate eleven different schedules is incredibly difficult but it is done. Thankfully.

And after all that it is time to wait. Just one week and I will be done with my four years at the University of Oregon. But rest assured, I will always be a Duck.

Preparing to Leave - Katie

2012-06-07T17:44:00-08:00

My time is growing short.

I've been saying that for a while, but it's finally starting to be real. I've said my goodbyes to the folks I know at the prison. I've had my last day of the re-entry group. I've attended my last Steering Committee meeting for Inside-Out. I've run my final Inside-Out alumni group meeting. I've attended my final day of class at the University of Oregon. I've completed my immigration internship. I've turned in my last paper, logged my last hours, and turned in the final-final version of my Master's Thesis. In a week and a half I will have my diploma, and will be jetting off into the next phase of my life.

It's a strange, strange time.

I'll be writing two more blogs: one more this week, and another for the week of Monday, June 18th. Then I'll have blogged my final blog as well.

As I'm saying my goodbyes, I am reminded constantly of my years here in Eugene and the times I've had. I'm going through old class notes and finding gems both in the lecture notes and in the scribbled margins. I'm going through letters received and photos on my walls. I'm getting rid of clothes I loved my freshman year and which I haven't worn since. I'm looking sadly at my collection of mugs, and getting that feeling that it's time to let some things go.

It is strange to walk on campus these days, knowing my time is so limited. How many times have I crossed the quad over these past five-and-a-half years? How many times have I walked into the EMU? I'm getting nostalgia at the strangest moments and beyond my power to control: I get choked up when I'm waiting in line for coffee, or when I'm crossing the street at 13th and Kincaid, wondering if Frog will accost me to purchase a joke book. When I saw the LTD Shouter today (still angry, and now wearing a tutu for a reason beyond my knowledge), I realized that Eugene has become a part of my imagination, and my deepest sense of identity. For the rest of my life, I will be looking for a home like this.

I'm doing my best to honor all my farewells as best as I'm able. I'm writing thank-you notes and bringing small gifts to the people who have offered their support and love over these years. I'm taking lots of pictures. I'm writing some, and keep intending to write more. I want a record of these last days on campus and in my home here. I want to take a moment to pause as I see this chapter rushing toward a close.

Time is speeding up, and I am still here, desperately trying to hold onto this last bit of my college years. Very soon, I'll be launching joyfully into a summer's adventures, and then into a next phase of my studies which I look forward to more and more as the time gets closer.

But this is also a time of mourning. I am grieving over the loss of this place as my everyday habitat, as my home. I've grown into this town, and this community is part of me. I don't know exactly what the future holds, but I don't imagine it will be as plucky, as strange, as welcoming, as challenging, and as full of tie-dyed spirit as Eugene has been. For my readers who are alumni themselves, I imagine that you remember your departures as a time of frantic logistical arrangements paired with quiet moments of intense nostalgia.

Anyway, that's how I feel tonight. Off for a stroll (last stroll?) down by the Willamette. Let's try not to get too dramatic, folks. The future's unfolding, and water keeps rolling under that footbridge.

It's finally my turn to take my leave.

Final Dead Week - Chelsea

2012-06-04T09:00:00-08:00

Well here it is, my last dead week, ever. Dead week in the School of Journalism and Communications is usually our hardest week. It is the week where all of our term-long projects have to be turned in and final edits be wrapped up. Dead week is suppose to be a week to prepare for finals however, it is anything but relaxing.

If the University of Oregon were on the semester system then I would presume that dead week would be a breather. But when you only have ten short weeks to cram an entire course every class counts. We all must attend every class dead week because material we learn in those classes will be on the final. And in some classes they are taking their third round of midterms during dead week!

I am not sad to be done with dead weeks. The only thing that is starting to get to me is the fact that this is my last week of classes, ever. Sure, there will be finals next week but for all intensive purposes this is my last week of college. Nay, my last week of school. This is the last week of my life of knowing exactly how each day is going to go since Kindergarten. After this week I make my future. Yes, I technically have always had that option. It was my choice to go to classes and my choice to go to college. This was the logical and expected path to take though. Here's to saying goodbye to what I know and hello to a whole new world.

Another Year Closer to the Real World - Chelsea

2012-06-03T12:00:00-08:00

Fall registration has already snuck up on me and I have been trying to decide a schedule for the past week. Today I finally sought help from an advisor to make sure everything is in place for me to be able to graduate on time with both of my degrees: International Studies and Spanish. It looks like my fall term is going to consist of more Spanish and a couple general eds that I need to still take care of. I have the opportunity to graduate early; however, I do not think I will be pursuing that. It seems I am avoiding the real world for as long as I can stall. I would save a lot of money; however, this short time I have for my undergraduate is priceless and irreplaceable. All my life I have been preparing. Elementary school prepares you for high school, high school for college, and now college is my last stop before I enter the adult world with full responsibilities. I know I still have another year, but all this attention on the seniors' graduation coming up I can't help but to feel some of the stress they are taking on. This week I had two going away gatherings for two of my dearest friends. It's surreal this adventure is already ending for some of my peers when I can still remember moving into my dorm so vividly: like it was yesterday.

My future plans are still hesitant; although, I know at least one thing for sure. I plan to make the most of the short time I have left in college. You only get to experience your undergraduate once. I have already learned so much about myself, relationships, the world, and so much more in the time I have been here. I heard the quote, "just trying to find the balance in a tilted world" the other day and I think it really applies well to my life in the past few years. I came to college to receive an education, but sometime that is hard with all the distractions that come along with going to a university. In the end, I would never take any of the distractions out. Although they may interfere with my academic studies, they prepare me in other ways. I have been so fortunate that my college education has taught me in more way than just academically. That is the type of education that is priceless. I am sad to see some of my peers preparing to graduate; however, I am excited to see what is next for them. Good luck to all the seniors and congratulation!

New Adventures in the South - Jennifer

2012-06-03T12:00:00-08:00

Just a few days ago I found out my placement with my job. I am going to be spending the next year of my life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana! To say this might be a change from Oregon would be an understatement.

I am excited. I don't even know if that word encompasses all that I am but it is the best I got. I am blessed with the good fortune to have a job after school and to move somewhere I have never even dreamed of going before! Not only am I going to try out southern living, but in a place just over an hour away from New Orleans! Oregon is a beautiful place. Our rivers are crisp and clear, our forests are never ending and the people here couldn't be nicer. That being said, I can't wait to see the might Mississippi river, experience swamps and all their catfish alligator glory, and to experience first hand southern hospitality.

I should probably mention I am scared. I have never been to Baton Rouge. Or even Louisiana. The closest person I know is over five hours away and worst of all, I am right next to LSU! Even through all of that I know I will fall in love with the city, meet new friends and proudly rep my University of Oregon Duck shirts as much as possible!

This is going to be the biggest adventure I have taken so far in my life. I hope it is true when they say Ducks are across the country because I sure hope I find one in Baton Rouge. Now I just have to find an apartment in a place I have never been to before. Piece of cake.

Closing out my Inside-Out experiences - Katie

2012-06-03T10:12:00-08:00

Tonight is the last time I'll be at the Oregon State Penitentiary, at least for the foreseeable future. We have a Think Tank meeting tonight, with the group of inside guys that is helping to train new Inside-Out instructors and has taken an enormous leadership role within the prison. Alex and I have been part of the Think Tank for over a year now, and I was there to see its early formation as a focus group, then an emerging set of leaders, and now a permanent and powerful force for education and change within the prison and the broader community. I know many of these guys from previous classes: some have been fellow students and others I've known as a co-facilitator in their classes. All are people who have had a profound impact on my life, and whose friendship I value deeply.

And tonight I say goodbye.

The Inside-Out rules mandate that I not be in contact with any of the inside folks except as part of the program. So all these years I've gotten to keep going back, to hold meetings and events and classes and to do this work that has now positioned us as colleagues in our efforts at education. But that's all been through the program. Now that I'm moving and my involvement with Inside-Out is going to be at a distance and to a much smaller degree, I will not be in touch with these people. I'll hear about the projects they undertake and the work they do as a group, but I will no longer be able to hear of and know them as individuals.

It breaks my heart.

I'm not really sure how I'll get through this today, or in the next few days. I have been extraordinarily blessed to have this time and these opportunities, and I'll be taking the lessons I've learned through Inside-Out forward with me for the rest of my life. No doubt in my mind about that. But leaving is hard, even when you have a chance to do it right and to say your proper goodbyes.

I wish I'd kept better account of all of our classes, meetings, activities, etc. over the past years I've been involved at OSP. I've spent hundreds of hours there, and gone through those barred gates so many times I can't remember. We've shared stories and celebrations and heartache, and have watched a few people come and go from the group over those years. Five years ago today I was a freshman, nineteen years old, and preparing for the closing ceremony of my first Inside-Out class, getting ready to say goodbye to those folks forever. Now I'm preparing myself again, with some of the same people in mind. More than almost anyone else, these guys have been present for the span of my college years. They don't know me as I am outside the walls, living my normal life. But they have known me there and seen how I've changed. And I've seen the same from them.

So tonight is goodbye. I don't know if this blog has made much sense-I'm a jumble of different thoughts and emotions about things right now. I guess this is a really important marker for me too: a real ending for these college years.

Deep breath. And now I'm taking my leave.