A University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication alumni is making a big career change that will affect both incoming and current students, as well as alumni. The University of Oregon Alumni Association (UOAA) has recently selected Tim Clevenger to serve as the new executive director. Clevenger will replace Dan Rodriguez, who has chosen to retire after serving as the UOAA executive director for 23 years.
Clevenger will begin assume his position beginning May 31st, which will mark a new era for the alumni association. Shortly after Clevenger’s installation, on June 10th the University will celebrate a grand opening for the new Allyn Ford and Sheryl Ramberg Ford Alumni Center. The University of Oregon, which has never had a facility for alumni, will now be able to offer more opportunities for alumni to get involved. Clevenger “will lead our team at an exciting time for the institution when alumni involvement is needed more than ever,” stated Fred Poust, the President of the UOAA Board of Directors
As a native Oregonian and a graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communications, Clevenger has been an active member of the Eugene-Springfield community for many years. After working as a principal for two advertising agencies and holding a variety of leadership positions on campus, including the UO Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and the Journalism Advancement Council, Clevenger has 25 years of experience to offer the University and its alumni.
With 180,000 current alumni and a new facility, Clevenger hopes to bring new ideas and opportunities to the table. He hopes to utilize his “ability to work with a variety of constituents” through his advertising agency experience with the “traditionally broad-based alumni relations,” Clevenger said. Under Clevenger, the UOAA will “target both incoming and current students and continue to work with older alumni” and “link the two by reaching out to older alumni, on a regular basis and have them partner with and help out with orientation, recruitment and develop interaction among all alumni,” stated Clevenger. He also plans to revamp alumni benefits and add a one-year free membership to students as graduation gift. In the past, Oregon alumni meetings have often consisted of tailgating events. As the new executive director, Clevenger would like to continue that Duck tradition but incorporate other, more formal events.
In addition to updating and upgrading alumni benefits, the UOAA will now work with new students. Upon entering the UO, student orientation will be now sponsored and provided by the University of Oregon Alumni Association instead of Johnson Hall. The new facility will also become the new home to the student ambassador’s offices. The Allyn Ford and Sheryl Ramberg Ford Alumni Center will also house a banquet hall, meeting offices and a public alumni database.
Oregon faculty is excited about Clevenger as an addition to the UOAA, including Dr. Michael Redding, the Vice President of University Relations: “Tim started at the UO as a student as has continues to be involved in alumni, academic and cultural endeavors on campus and in the community. He brings a wealth of perspective and leadership to our alumni engagement efforts,” said Redding.
Due to Oregon’s current low penetration of the alumni sector (low ability to reach out to and connect with alumni on an annual and continual basis), the UOAA has many exciting opportunities ahead of them. With a new, fresh outlook on ideas, new opportunities from Clevenger, and a new facility to host events, UOAA expect to see a rise in membership and involvement. With experience working with a variety of constituents, Clevenger will work to get all his Ducks in a row.
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