The 2023-24 academic year began its ascent Tuesday as the second-largest class in school history hit the UO campuses. A total of 5,057 first-year students began their first day of classes; only last year’s class of 5,338 students was larger. The total included a record 38 percent who identify as domestic minority students.

ENGLISH, SOCIOLOGY, SPANISH, THEATRE ARTS - The Distinguished Teaching Awards recognize exceptional teaching that is inclusive, engaged and research-informed. This year’s winners are Jocelyn Hollander, Faith Barter, Alex Zunterstein, Kirby Brown, Robin Hopkins, Tannaz Farsi, Patricia Rodley and Michael Moffitt.

BIOLOGY, FRENCH, GEOGRAPHY, GLOBAL STUDIES, HISTORY - Read the stories of six alumni whose work in international affairs is making a global impact.

Ducks who study together make the dean's list together. More than 4,000 students made the dean's list in the spring 2023 term. To qualify, a student must have earned at least a 3.75 GPA while taking 12 credits or more.

BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY, GLOBAL STUDIES - The Incubating Interdisciplinary Initiatives (I3) awards provide up to $50,000 to seed new interdisciplinary research. This year, three awards are funded by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. Among winners are Jo Weaver (Department of Global Studies), Matthew Barber (Department of Biology and the Institute of Ecology and Evolution), Michael Harms (Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Institute of Molecular Biology) and Melanie Spero (Department of Biology and Institute of Molecular Biology).

Among the top items on the day’s docket for the new University of Oregon President Karl Scholz was sending a message to the university community, which included an invitation to a meet-and-greet social July 12 on the EMU Green from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

While you bask in the sun this summer, immerse yourself in these books by University of Oregon faculty and alumni. From speculative fiction set on Jupiter to understanding life on Earth through biophysics, you're bound to find a new favorite book that'll challenge your perspective.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, FOLKLORE, SOCIOLOGY, DATA SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS - Graduating students offer parting words and reflect on their time at the University of Oregon.