EUGENE–A special 10th anniversary "University Day" will sweep across the University of Oregon campus on Thursday, May 13.

To celebrate, two 1990 student founders are returning to campus, along with four other student chairs from the past decade. At 1 p.m. Thursday, they will join UO President Dave Frohnmayer, Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey, other local officials and the Oregon Duck for a ceremony marking the installation of three new benches in the graveled courtyard at the northwest corner of the Knight Library building, near the Daily Grind coffee cart.

Hundreds of UO students, faculty and staff will spend the day, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., cleaning, painting, planting flowers, spreading bark dust, and helping with other campus beautification projects. Participants can sign up at registration tables between Condon and Chapman halls on East 13th Avenue.

For the first time this year, volunteers also will extend their efforts beyond campus, tackling projects from Kincaid to Hilyard streets along East 13th Avenue in the adjoining West University Neighborhood. Local businesses are being encouraged to participate in the one-day project.

University Day at the UO began in the early years of the century, then died out in the 1920s. It was revived in 1990, thanks to enthusiastic student and administration support, making this year’s event the 10th in a row.

"This year is something special," says Mary Hudzikiewicz, UO assistant dean of student life and University Day organizer. "University Day has truly become a community event."

UO students, led this year by Andrew Lakefish, organize the annual clean-up in cooperation with the university’s Office of Student Life and Facilities Services staff.

"We encourage everyone–students, faculty and staff–to help spruce up the campus in time for Spring Family Weekend that follows immediately afterwards on May 14—16," says Lakefish, a senior advertising major from Beaverton.

Those working at least one hour will receive a free commemorative T-shirt and may win prizes worth a total of $500 donated by local merchants.

—30—

#P-2201/Local