Many international students are wrapping up their exchange at the University of Oregon. “I’m feeling sad of course because I’m leaving my friends, the school, but I’m feeling glad to come back to France and see my family,” Oriane Marie said. This video features students from Finland, France and Iraq.

Across the nation, thousands of veterans are returning to college. Dog Tags to Ducks is a new program at the University of Oregon aiming to support the transition from deployment to college life. New student veterans are paired with mentors, who provide academic, professional and social support. “It has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” Michael Tieman, college senior and program mentor, said.

(Photo credit: Michael Tieman)

Eugene band YamaYama performed at the UO’s Willamette Valley Music Festival on Saturday, May 11.

This video features excerpts from the performance and interviews with band members Merlin Showalter (drums), Scott Mitchell (saxophone), Milo Fultz (bass) and Dario LaPoma (keyboard).

“We’re taking stuff that we like today like video game music and elements of electronica, and we’re putting it together with a jazz philosophy,” Showalter said.

At the time of its foundation, the University of Oregon was a treeless grassland. Over the ensuing decades, thousands of trees were planted. However, numerous buildings are now encroaching on these trees. In his campus tree tours, adjunct instructor Whitey Lueck hopes to teach students about this valuable resource.

In 2010, the University of Oregon Science Literacy Program was launched with the help of a $1.5 million grant. The program offers hands-on, inquiry-based courses in the physics, biology, chemistry and geology departments. The aim is to effectively communicate to nonscience undergraduates, promote appreciation of science and apply scientific approaches to societal problems.

Excelsior Farm has been the source of fresh produce for the Excelsior Inn and Restaurant and other venues since 2009. “I’m pursuing farming as more of a craft than just an economic endeavor,” says Jeremy Mueller, farm manager. “It’s a big variety of stuff that you get to do when you’re farming on a small scale, which I like a lot.” In this video, Jeremy and Chris Albaugh share their thoughts on farming, business and music.

Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie spoke at the UO Ford Alumni Center on Monday, April 1 as part of the University’s Center on Diversity and Community‘s Lecture Series. Adichie wrote award-winning novels Purple Hibiscus (2003) and Half of a Yellow Sun (2007), which are set in Nigeria, and raise political, family and identity issues. In 2009, Adichie gave a TED Talk on the danger of a single story and how she found her authentic voice.