University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication

09/10/2026

The SOJC is hosting the first 2026 debate between Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and State Senator Christine Drazan on October 1! We are partnering with the Oregon Journalism Project and KVAL News, which will be broadcasting live at 6 p.m. and livestreaming to YouTube and Facebook.

The debate isn't open to the public, but the SOJC is hosting a watch party on campus, with co-sponsors City Club of Eugene, Springfield City Club, and Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics. Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1999421762314?aff=oddtdtcreator

Prefer to watch from home? Tune into KVAL at 6 p.m. on October 1 or watch the livestream at https://kval.com/thegovernorsdebate.

The debate is set.

Christine Drazan and Gov. Tina Kotek will face off in Oregon’s gubernatorial debate Oct. 1 at the University of Oregon.

KVAL News’ Kendall Bartley will moderate.

📅 Oct. 1
⏰ 6 p.m.
📺 Watch live on KVAL or stream on YouTube and Facebook.

Mark your calendar and tune in.

A little bit more about the debate...

To qualify, a candidate must meet at least one of the following benchmarks:

Receive more than 5% support in a statewide poll
Raise more than $100,000
Demonstrate support from at least 250 donors

The criteria reflect standards gubernatorial debate organizers have used during recent election cycles. They are intended to provide a consistent and objective way to determine which candidates qualify for the debate.

The debate is co-sponsored by Oregon Journalism Project, Lookout Eugene-Springfield, KVAL News, and the UO School of Journalism and Communication.

https://kval.com/news/local/kval-to-moderate-kotek-drazan-oregon-governor-debate-oct-1-at-university-of-oregon

06/18/2026

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!

06/16/2026

🎥 Watch the full SOJC commencement celebration video produced by SOJC students! https://youtu.be/myxWDmuaxO4?si=dQvhXaXSbfTNKt-m

📣 Shout out to graduating students Adam Duran, Ben Hider, Benjamin Zuk, and Maren Fullerton, who produced the celebration video that played on the Jumbotron at yesterday’s SOJC Commencement ceremony. And thanks to Kaiya Laguardia-Yonamine for supporting the production at UO SOJC Portland.

🙌 Thank you also to our scriptwriters Julia Boboc, McKenzie Leary, Ethan Donahue, and Leo Heffron.

💚 And our gratitude goes to student actors Daniel Santoyo Perez , Olivia Roberts, Saul Galvan, Mikayla Mattei, and Natalie Turman.

06/12/2026

When the United States kicks off its 2026 FIFA World Cup against Paraguay tonight, the voice calling the action will be a Duck.

John Strong '07, FOX Sports’ lead soccer play-by-play announcer, will broadcast the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) opening match live from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles alongside match analyst Stu Holden. Strong and Holden are the lead broadcast booth for FOX and will be on site for every USMNT fixture this tournament.

In this video, Strong—who is also the school’s 2025 Eric Allen Outstanding Young Alum and a member of its Journalism Advancement Council—reflects on what University of Oregon gave him, what he hopes students carry into their careers, and why he still thinks it's remarkable that someone pays him to watch soccer.

Watch the video and then watch the action: USA vs. Paraguay kicks off at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET on FOX. 🎙️⚽

👉 Learn more about John: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/eric-allen-award/john-strong

06/11/2026

👏 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!

06/10/2026

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

06/08/2026

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

05/19/2026

What does it take to land a role at Sony Music Group straight out of college?

For Madilyne Nguyen-Acosta '21, it came down to three things: authenticity, a strong sense of purpose, and knowing how to take full advantage of every opportunity in front of her.

As a public relations graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Madi didn't wait for her career to come to her. She studied abroad in Ghana, led career development initiatives as PRSSA chapter president, competed for—and won—a coveted MAIP fellowship, and leaned on SOJC faculty and advisors who invested in her success.

Now, as a diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist at Sony Music Group, she has three tips for students preparing to enter the workforce:

Stay grounded in your why. Be authentic. And take every professional development opportunity you can find—inside school and beyond.

The SOJC's PR program is built to give students that foundation: tangible skills, hands-on experience, and a network of faculty and industry professionals ready to help you launch.

🔗 Read Madi's full story: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/news/alumni-profile-madi-nguyen-acosta

🎓 Explore the SOJC public relations program: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/public-relations

05/14/2026

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! 💚💛🦆

05/13/2026

The UO’s Ducks Give day of giving is TOMORROW, May 14–but we’re giving you a sneak peek today. Give today or tomorrow by midnight to support sports communication opportunities that students can't get anywhere else.

Sports communication is an exploding field, and SOJC students majoring in journalism, public relations, advertising, and media studies are at the center of it because the SOJC is uniquely positioned to give students hands-on experiences, real-world connections, and the kind of career-launching opportunities that simply can't be found at any other college or university.

Watch the video to hear from journalism major Shane Balian ’26 and public relations major Destinee Kaya ’26, two SOJC students who are turning these sports comm opportunities into careers.

But experiences like these require funding. Your gift today or tomorrow makes it possible for students to learn in the field, make professional connections, and build the networks that will carry them through their careers. Don't miss your chance to make an impact on Ducks Give! 🦆

👉 Give here: https://ducksgive.uoregon.edu/sojc/