President Scholz sent the following message to faculty, staff and students on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Dear University of Oregon community,
As we approach the end of 2025, I am grateful for the creativity and care that define this wonderful university. It has been an eventful year, and every challenge and success has made me even more appreciative of the people who make the University of Oregon a special place to learn and work.
Last June, more than 5,200 students graduated in a joyful ceremony at Autzen Stadium. Celebrating their accomplishments is always a reminder of the influence of our collective work. That impact is also evident in the goals we set through Oregon Rising and the progress we are seeing. Our four-year graduation rate has moved from 57 percent two years ago to just under 63 percent. This progress reflects the dedication of advisors, faculty, student life teams, instructors, and colleagues across our schools, colleges, and departments. Thank you for the countless ways you support our students.
I was pleased this fall the UO was nationally recognized for its leadership in economic engagement, earning the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. This brings together those at the university doing work in partnership with elected officials, business leaders, community organizations, and others to enhance the economic prosperity of the Southern Willamette Valley and, more broadly, Oregon.
This year also brought notable recognition for the university. Forbes named the University of Oregon one of the nation’s “vibe schools,” applauding our forward-looking culture, creative and independent students, and strengths in business, design, and sports marketing. Time Magazine also moved the UO to number 71 in its “Leaders” rankings, up from 80 last year. The ranking emphasizes career outcomes and innovation, which aligns well with the university’s focus on entrepreneurship, research impact, and the success of our students and alumni. While specific programs are sometimes called out in these awards, we all know they build on the strong foundational programs that underlie our success. You are all part of that.
Our student-athletes continue to excel. Men’s and women’s cross-country won Big Ten championships and earned high national finishes. Football will host a home game in the College Football Playoff for the first time, and ESPN College GameDay visited campus twice for the first time since 2007. These achievements bring pride and national recognition to the university and reflect the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
All of this success is unfolding during a period of political disruption and increasing public skepticism about higher education. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found seven in 10 Americans believe the higher education system is headed in the wrong direction, a significant increase from five years ago. Those of us who see the daily impact of teaching, mentoring, research, and outreach know how transformative our work is. That makes it even more important to support one another, stay grounded in our purpose, and continue demonstrating the value of what we do. Despite the uncertainty in the national research landscape, our funding has remained steady, which speaks to the strength of our scholars and the dedication of the many teams that support research across campus.
As we near winter break, we again encourage units to observe a quiet period between December 25 and January 1, as operations allow. Scaling back activity during this time helps employees rest, recharge, and return with renewed energy. I appreciate leaders making space for this practice and supporting the well-being of their teams.
Thank you for your work throughout the fall and the entire year. I hope you enjoy the end of the term, a restful holiday season, and a wonderful start to 2026.
Go Ducks!
Karl Scholz
President