Steven Beda is an academic expert in Pacific Northwest History, labor history, and environmental history. At the University of Oregon, he is an assistant professor of history at the University of Oregon. His research specifically explores the history of workers in the Northwest’s timber industry and the ways rural communities have adapted to the region’s changing economy. He has also researched and written about the history of forestry, rural protest movements, and the rise of the Northwest’s militia movement.

email: sbeda@uoregon.edu

Hi everyone! My name is Alice Lovinger and I use she/her pronouns. I’m the FIG Assistant for Your Vote: What Matters. I’m heading into my second year at the University of Oregon. I am currently part of the Exploring Majors, which I’ve found to be such a great way to experience a variety of classes here at UO - from Philosophy of Love and Sex to Biological Anthropology. The freedom of the Exploring option has truly allowed me to figure out what my path is - here at the university and beyond. I’m leaning towards a major in Anthropology with a minor in Global Health and have a long-term goal of working in a medical field like nursing. 

I grew up in Portland, Oregon, and while I applied to colleges up and down the West Coast, everything that the Pacific Northwest and University of Oregon have to offer ultimately drew me in. I grew up camping and hiking and still love to spend time outdoors with my friends. It’s been great getting outside and exploring Eugene and the surrounding areas like the Terwilliger Hot Springs, Florence at the Oregon Coast, and Dexter Lake on hot spring term days! Some of my favorite memories of freshman year have been cheering at the Ducks football games, exploring the local music scene at house shows, picnics at Washburn Park, and bike rides by the river. 

I swam competitively throughout middle and high school and my favorite stroke is breaststroke. Although I no longer compete, I’ve made room in my schedule every term to take for-credit workout classes at the Rec, which have been so great for me, both physically and mentally.

This FIG in particular is such an exciting opportunity! Not only do I get the experience of being a Fig Assistant, but I also get the chance to learn right alongside incoming students. The timing of the Your Vote class couldn’t be more perfect, given the upcoming presidential election happening in the heart of the fall ‘24 term. EEK! 

I was part of a FIG as a freshman and found it to be an incredibly positive experience. It’s such a valuable tool to help guide you through the transition from high school to college, and a great way to begin to build community. I feel so lucky to have had such a positive, formative experience during my first year at UO, and I’m excited to be able to share what I’ve learned with new students. Don’t hesitate to hit me up in the fall for the best study spots or coffee recommendations! Please feel free to reach out by email with any questions at all. I’m excited to meet you! 

Email: alov@uoregon.edu