Matthias Vogel is a native of Mainz, Germany, the city where Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1450 C.E. Matthias was always interested in reading, intellectual history, and at the Johannes Gutenberg Universität-Mainz, he studied English, French,  German, and business. Matthias came to the United States in 1993 as a student and loved it so much in Eugene that he never left. He continued his studies at the UO where he later became an instructor in the German and Scandinavian department. He is the Language Coordinator in the department and teaches language and language pedagogy classes, classes on the Holocaust and multicultural issues, and food studies classes. He is the director of the Global Engagement Academic Residential Community which is housed in the Global Scholars Hall where he also lives permanently as Faculty in Residence. When you don’t find him in the GSH, teaching or grading, you’re likely to find him on his bike on some of the wonderful bike paths in Eugene. 

Hi! My name is Lena Felt and I’m the FIG Assistant for Radicals and Reformers. This is my third year as a FA, but my first year assisting with this FIG. In the past, I worked with a political science-based FIG called “International Outlook,” but I’m excited to be a part of this new FIG and work alongside the amazing Professor Vogel! 

I’m originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, but I’ve moved around a lot throughout my life. I love reminiscing about the two and a half years I spent studying in Switzerland. If you ever want to talk about studying abroad, I’m always down. This will be my senior year at the UO majoring in Journalism and minoring in English. I found the course German Sexuality very fascinating and I’m excited to reexamine the material in this fun interactive FIG!  

The First-Year Program has been an integral part of my college experience. I met my first close friend in my FIG during freshman year and had such a positive experience that I decided to apply to become an FA the next year. Three years later and I’m still loving every minute spent working with my peers and helping first-year students navigate and adjust well to life at the UO!  

If you are planning on registering to be part of Radicals and Reformers then I would love to get to know you a bit before the fall term begins. You can send me an email with any questions or just to introduce yourself. I look forward to getting to know you all. Until then, have a happy and healthy summer! 

Email: lenaf@uoregon.edu