Interim Univ Pres gives shout out to Ducks

Or, as Richard Lariviere called them, “the entertainment side of our university”

Dear University of Oregon community,

Welcome to the start of fall term and the new academic year. I am honored to lead this university community. It is a responsibility I take very seriously. And that’s because together we seek to make our world better through cutting-edge research and creative practice, transformative teaching and mentoring, and opportunities that prepare students to make a difference and lead fulfilling lives.

I firmly believe we are better together. Together we will achieve our mission of understanding the world around us and maximizing the human potential of every member of our community.

To our students, new and returning, welcome! It was a joy to help our first-year students to move into their residence halls during Week of Welcome. It may be my favorite time of the year. This university is fully committed to your success. I encourage you to make the most of every moment in the classroom and out.

To our faculty and staff, we once again have this wonderful opportunity to start anew, to mentor and guide our students, to discover and create, and continue to reimagine what it means to be committed to the greater good as a public research university. This year we will be able to return—more and more—to the core activities and values that brought us to the UO in the first place.

I am excited for the year ahead, for what each of you will experience and achieve, and for the future of the University of Oregon.

Thank you. And Go Ducks!

Patrick Phillips
Interim President and Professor of Biology