CAS Connection - Jan 2026 Issue

January 2026

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The science behind setting goals

With the right steps, reinforcement and soul searching, anyone can make their goals transformative.

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Experiential Learning  |  Research & Innovation  |  Community Impact  |  Career Preparation  |  Teaching Excellence  |  21st Century Liberal Arts  |  Building Community  |  Good Vibes  |  CAS Spotlights  |  All Stories  |  Past Issues
 

National Day of Writing brings an ant’s perspective to light

Experiential Learning

What would an ant write if it could?

English major Sarah Twiggs’ short story takes the perspective of an ant to win flash fiction contest.

By Jenny Brooks

A new cutting-edge major in the College of Arts and Sciences equips students to drive technological change.

Research & Innovation

Filling a gap in tech knowledge

A new cutting-edge major in the College of Arts and Sciences equips students to drive change.

By CAS Communications

Squatting toward housing policy change

Research & Innovation

Research examines squatting practices

Two sociologists examined how pro-squatting advocates influenced housing policies in three US cities.

By Henry Houston

UO professor predicts crab seasons years ahead using a simple trap

Research & Innovation

Dungeness data does not deceive

Baby crabs caught in a simple trap can predict how big crab season will be within a 12% margin of error.

By Leila Okahata


UO alum turned his love for Spanish into a global career

CAS Spotlight

An unexpected major becomes a global career

College of Arts and Sciences Alum Brandon Rigby enjoyed studying Spanish, but it wasn’t until a professor suggested he major in it that he dove in. WIth multiple overseas assignments under his belt, he is now a global diplomat for the U.S. Department of State.

By Violet Ashley

Go Global with Brandon

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UO College of Arts & Sciences (@uocas) • Instagram photos and videos

CAS News

THEATRE ARTS — Love, mischief and mistaken intentions take center stage this winter as University Theatre presents “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare. Directed by Jerry Ferraccio, the production marks the grand reopening of Robinson Theatre and runs Feb. 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and March 1.
PHYSICS - A supermassive black hole with a case of cosmic indigestion has been burping out the remains of a shredded star for four years — and it’s still going strong, new research led by University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences astrophysicist Yvette Cendes. Cendes and her team published findings about this one-of-kind black hole in the Feb. 5 issue of Astrophysical Journal Astrophysicists.
PHYSICS - Fascinated by the unexplored corners of the universe since childhood, physicist Tien-Tien Yu has made dark matter the pillar of her research career. In her quest to understand, she’s co-founded a major experiment in collaboration with physicists at other institutions, all of whom are trying try to bring light to the dark.

All news »


From the Media

Protests were planned across the world on May 1 in honor of International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, including in the Pacific Northwest. Steven Beda, an assistant professor of history at the College of Arts and Sciences, specializes in the history of labor in the Pacific Northwest. He said many in the labor movement came to believe that these men were convicted because they were immigrants, not because they committed a crime.
Mother Jones spoke with College of Arts and Sciences chemist and presidential chair Geraldine Richmond about the state of the National Science Foundation under the current White House administration. "This board is so important for being able to advise Congress as well as the president on issues that are so important to the country,” she said. Richmond was first appointed to the board by President Barack Obama and later by Trump during his first term.
Kenyan runners Sabastian Sawe (1:59:30) and Yomif Kejelcha (1:59:41) broke the two-hour marathon barrier at the 2026 London Marathon. College of Arts and Sciences human physiologist Brad Wilkins spoke with the publication Scientific American about the specially made Adidas shoes the two runners wore in the race and broke down why these shoes make such a difference.

All media news »

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