University of Oregon

By Lila Hector

Article from the week of the week of January 20, 2026

If you want to go to a college with strong academics and even stronger school spirit, then the University of Oregon is the perfect fit. Located in the engaging city of Eugene, Oregon, with a campus of 295 acres and an 85% acceptance rate, it is a wonderful place to spend the next 4 years of your college journey. It has a large student population of around 20,000 undergraduates, 24,00 total students,  and a retention rate of 85%. They offer a rich and diverse academic experience with around 200 different fields of study, as well as an honors college if you want to apply yourself more rigorously in a smaller class setting. 

The out of state cost is 68,000 dollars. They do, however, offer many different types of financial aid, loans, grants and, of course, scholarships. They offer need based scholarships as well as merit based scholarships, and 70% of students admitted receive a grant or scholarship. They are a Division 1 school and offer many different sports like soccer, lacrosse, swimming, track, baseball, and basketball. They have a D1 football team that just finished an amazing season, with 13 wins and 2 losses. Additionally, they offer many different intramural sports that anyone can participate in if you just want to have fun. Some intramural sports they offer include volleyball, soccer, pickleball, basketball, and flag football. Intramural sports are a great way to build a community and get to know people. 

The University of Oregon has many study-abroad programs, as well as lots of support if you do end up wanting to go abroad. They offer traditional study abroad opportunities, internships and chances to study at partner universities. They have over 49 Oregon universities and partner programs with locations in 22 different countries. They offer over 250 student organizations that range from academic clubs like the Nursing Association or the law and entrepreneurship club, to fun social activities like book clubs and lego clubs. Overall, University of Oregon is a university that offers many opportunities for lots of different types of students. 

Oregon State University

By Eliana Curtis

Article from the week of February 3, 2026

If you are looking for a vibrant public university, Oregon State University could be the perfect place for you. The campus is located in Corvallis, Oregon, a small town in central-western Oregon . Because of the short 8 minute walk from campus to downtown, OSU students have access to cute coffee shops, a farmers market, and hiking spots. The university was founded in 1859 and currently enrolls 30,000 undergraduate students with an acceptance rate of 79%. As a WUE school, Western U.S. students can attend Oregon State at a discounted tuition. Some of the most popular majors include Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Biology, including a notable program in Biomedical Sciences. There are over 400 student run organizations to choose from including the Microbiology Student Association, Actuarial Science Club, and Associated Students of Oregon State University. They also have Division 1 athletics including basketball, volleyball, and football, with homecoming week being one of the largest annual events at the school. OSU has study abroad programs in over 70 countries including Singapore, Norway, France, and Ecuador. Many of these study abroad programs are incorporated into internships or international universities and have opportunities for volunteer work as well. Oregon State University has access to beautiful nature, strong academic programs and athletics, so it might be the perfect college for you!

Bayard Rustin

By Nahara Goodman

Article from the week of February 3, 2026

There are so many important Black figures in our history that go unnoticed. From the enslaved Africans that built so much of our country to figures like Shirley Chrisholm, the first Black congress woman and the first Black woman to run for president, Black people have contributed so much to the history of the U.S. Many times our schools and the lessons they teach begin to get repetitive, reusing words instead of expanding them and not showing so many of the figures that had an impact on our country. I believe that we need to broaden our lessons and teach more because there are so many important Black figures in our history, and many students and teachers have only scratched the surface of what they could know.  

Bayard Rustin was a queer human rights activist who is best known for his work during the Civil Rights Movement. Rustin was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on March 17, 1912. As a teenager he excelled in academics, music, and sports and was elected valedictorian during his senior year at West Chester High School. He began protesting against the unfair laws affecting people of color when he was just in high school. During a school road trip, he insisted that the Black players stayed in the same hotel as the White players. In addition to this, he (at least once) sat in the "Whites only" section of the local movie theater, which he was arrested for. In college, he decided to dedicate himself to the cause of peace and civil rights, and as Rustin grew, so did his passion for justice. In August of 1941, Rustin investigated the problems of conscientious objectors, as a member of an AFSC delegation to Puerto Rico. He then decided to join the staff of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, which was a non-denominational, pacifist group. About a year later, in 1942, he and James Farmer founded a interracial civil rights organization called Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). He took many more actions to stand for what was right, including helping convince President Truman to desegregate the military. 

One of Bayard Rustin's most significant contributions happened when he served as a chief tactician in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1955, Rustin played an important role, working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to organize the successful boycott of the segregated local bus system in Montgomery, Alabama. For the five years after this event, he stayed by King’s side, serving as a special assistant and close advisor. However, his work did not stop there. In 1963, Rustin helped organize the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This gathering is most often remembered as the place where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, however it was so much more. This event helped ensure the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Voting Rights Act of 1964.  One of Rustin's last big acts was in 1965 when he established the A. Philip Randolph Institute,which focused on racial justice and equal economic opportunities. Rustin was later arrested for “silent demonstration” of support for the demands for equality in 1983. He unfortunately suffered from a misdiagnosed perforated appendix and died in 1987.

We have leaders all around us. Whether they are leaders of the past, who did all they could to clear the paths we pursue, or leaders of today, who are still trying to pave the way for a better future, it’s important to recognize those who have struggled to get us where we are today.  

Sources:

https://aflcio.org/about/history/labor-history-people/bayard-rustin

https://nmaahc.si.edu/bayard-rustin