University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication

We're proud to announce that Steven Asbury, SOJC assistant teaching professor of advertising, is this year's recipient of the SOJC’s Marshall Award for Innovative Teaching in Journalism and Communication.

The selection committee recognized Steven, president and creative director of Asbury & Co. Advertising + Design, for his dedication to students, his passion for advertising, and the kind of positive energy that makes a real difference in the classroom.

Student nominators praised Steven’s hands-on teaching style, his ability to build a collaborative learning environment, and his willingness to keep mentoring students even after they've moved on from his courses. One student noted that Steven "completely changed my perspective on design."

Congratulations, Steven!

👏 Please join us in celebrating the recipients of the SOJC's top graduating student awards for 2026! These awards honor students who exemplify excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and professional achievement.

🏆 The Phyllis Van Kimmel Bell Leadership Award is awarded each year to a student who demonstrates leadership inside and outside of the classroom. This year's awardee is Alex Ten Eyck, a public relations major and science communication minor whose involvement in FLUX Magazine, Allen Hall Public Relations, The Rising Project, and the UO Climbing Team has strengthened student organizations and the broader SOJC community.

🏆 The Janice E. Rianda Outstanding Student Award is given to the graduating student with the highest GPA in the SOJC. This year’s awardee is Lauren Gross, a media studies major with a minor in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and a Summit Scholarship winner who has been involved with Align Magazine and Fika Klubb.

🏆 The SOJC Standard Bearer is a student who exemplifies the highest standards of the school and represents the graduating class by leading the processional at commencement. This year’s Standard Bearer is Julia Boboc, a journalism major whose work as a reporter, podcast host, and audio editor has earned national recognition, including two Hearst Journalism Awards.

Congratulations to Alex, Lauren, and Julia for their remarkable contributions and accomplishments at the University of Oregon. We are so proud!

Hot off the presses! Three of the SOJC’s premier student-run magazines just dropped, and you can get your copies while they last in Allen Hall or read them online:

OR Magazine: The theme of this special 15th anniversary issue of OR Magazine is “Threads.” Read about the history of the denim industry, the popularity of film tourism in Oregon, and alpaca farming—because who can resist alpacas!

🔗Read these stories and more online only: https://www.ormagazine.net/3/

Ascend: The second annual edition of Ascend magazine features stories on Olympic bronze medal skier Jacqueline Wiles, a profile on freediver Alejandro Lemus, and breathtaking photos by SOJC journalism (’24) and Multimedia Storytelling Master’s alum Daniel Teitelbaum ’25.

🔗Read these stories and many more: https://issuu.com/ascenduomagazine/docs/ascend_issue_2

FLUX: The theme of the Spring 2026 issue of Flux Magazine is “The Test of Time,” which explores traditions, identities, and livelihoods. Find features about sea lion predation, bronc-riding cowgirls, and an invasive beetle that is decimating Oregon ash trees.

🔗Read these stories and others: https://www.fluxoregon.com/all-fed-up

As we prepare to celebrate the University of Oregon SOJC Class of 2026, we're proud to introduce this year's commencement speakers.

Undergraduate Student Speaker: Adrian Garcia Dena
A public relations major specializing in film and entertainment PR, Adrian has distinguished himself through leadership and service. During his time at the SOJC, he served as president of Unidos, account supervisor for Allen Hall Public Relations, and outreach coordinator for the Dux Present film club, helping build community while gaining valuable professional experience.

Graduate Student Speaker: Rachel Marty
As a Strategic Communication Master's student, Rachel embraced opportunities to lead, innovate, and expand her global perspective. She served on the University of Oregon Portland campus Student Council, developed immersive media stories as a Snap AR Scholar, and completed an international internship through the Media in Ghana program.

Keynote Speaker: Heba Kanso ’09
A 2009 SOJC alum and recipient of the 2020 Eric Allen Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Heba has built an impressive career as a journalist and communicator. Her work has taken her from CBS News and the Thomson Reuters Foundation to the United Nations in Yemen, where she documented the human impact of conflict. Today, she serves as vice president at We. Communications, a global communications agency.

Join us at 4 p.m. June 15 in Matthew Knight Arena as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and hear from these remarkable members of the SOJC community.

Can't attend in person? Watch the commencement ceremony via livestream: https://youtube.com/live/z3bgFO7WOyA?feature=share

The University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication offers sports communication opportunities that students can’t get anywhere else. And when you donate today for Ducks Give day, you’re investing in hands-on, experiential learning that gives students unmatched access to the world of sports media.

🫶 Support our students: https://ducksgive.uoregon.edu/giving-day/112779/department/112788

This year, your contribution on supports the SOJC’s new Sports Communication Fund, designed to remove financial barriers so every student—whether they major in journalism, public relations, advertising, media studies, or one of our graduate programs—can participate in hands-on opportunities that build portfolios, networks, and confidence.

Go Ducks! 💚💛🦆