Introducing CHC's new Stamps Scholars
There are 22 new faces at the Honors College who are recipients of incredible scholarships from an organization that advocates for future leaders.
By Kira Griffith, Clark Honors College Communications
They are the leaders of tomorrow. They represent excellence, scholarship, service and innovation. They are part of the 2026-27 Stamps Scholars at the University of Oregon.
And these 22 new faces are all Clark Honors College students. They join dozens of students from 36 other partner universities across the U.S. and the United Kingdom whose academic prowess and desire to inspire meaningful change in their communities is a hallmark of their backgrounds.
“I’m honored to have this new cohort of Stamps Scholars join us at the Clark Honors College and then University of Oregon,” CHC Dean Carol Stabile says. “These students are problem-solvers and changemakers who, in the words of one of the students quoted below, want to ‘better the world for the people around me that I care about and to make sure that everyone I interact with during my life leaves our interaction feeling better than they did before.’ and committed to making the world a better place. I’m excited about what they’ll contribute to our community over the next four years.”
Stamps Scholars are part of a network of students who receive annual scholarship awards for all tuition and fees for each year they are in college. The Stamps Scholarship also covers housing for Oregon residents. Scholars are also eligible to receive additional funds for enrichment activities like study abroad, academic conferences and leadership training. The scholarships began in 2006 when E. Roe Stamps and his late wife, Penny, decided to provide “extraordinary educational experiences for extraordinary students,” according to the Stamps Scholars website.
“We’ve partnered with the Stamps Scholars Program since 2013 and still, welcoming a new group of scholars to campus each fall is every bit as exciting,” says Michelle Holdway, UO’s associate director for scholarships in the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. “This latest cohort brings with them so much insight, curiosity, and talent.”
Learn more about this group of CHC scholars by reading about their backgrounds, their aspirations and how they see the future. And hear all their favorite songs and more on the Class of 2030 Spotify playlist!
Favorite hobby: Hiking
Song on repeat: “Float On” by Modest Mouse
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Meeting new people and being challenged in new ways.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: Learning about and discussing interesting, niche topics.
What change do you want to make in the world: I want everyone to have the ability to pursue their aspirations with kindness and confidence.
Favorite hobby: I love to play video games and watch/play hockey.
Song on repeat: “Disturbia” by Rihanna
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: The experiences of a large college community, like college-wide events and sports games.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: To take some of the CHC classes and to experience a small, intimate community within a large college.
What change do you want to make in the world: To better the world for the people around me that I care about and to make sure that everyone I interact with during my life leaves our interaction feeling better than they did before.
Favorite hobby: I love to do yoga and Pilates when I can. I also love to read!
Song on repeat: “Orbiter” by Noah Kahan
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: I am incredibly excited to start my journey in the journalism world and begin to make lifelong friends, plus obviously the football games!
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: The opportunity to take niche classes you can’t find anywhere else and expand my knowledge in an intimate classroom environment.
What change do you want to make in the world: My hope and dream is to one day be someone who can share people’s stories and give a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves.
Favorite hobby: Travel volunteering in different states and countries to get to know the community, learn new skills, and spread my love for people and the planet!
Song on repeat: “A Place in the Sun” Jack Johnson and Jake Shimabukuro
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: The unexpected relationships and opportunities that occur spontaneously but become life changing.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: The community we will foster together and for international learning experiences!
What change do you want to make in the world: To influence progress in the relationship between all people and our planet by inspiring communities around the world and supporting individuals in discovering their own potential.
Favorite hobby: I love swimming, and my favorite stroke is breaststroke!
Song on repeat: “My Way” by Frank Sinatra
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: I can’t wait to meet new people and I’m really excited about the study abroad program!
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: Taking interdisciplinary classes and exchanging unique perspectives with my classmates and professors.
What change do you want to make in the world: As a strong advocate for a growth mindset, I hope to inspire others to stay curious and always keep learning!
Favorite hobby: I love spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, camping, backpacking, paddle boarding or just going to new places in nature.
Song on repeat: “Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: I’m definitely looking forward to being part of the UO community, especially being a part of the student section at the football games.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: I’m most excited about the smaller class sizes, and the resulting in-depth discussions with the classmates and professors.
What change do you want to make in the world: To protect our public lands.
Favorite hobby: I love baking, traveling, going to concerts, binge-watching TV, hiking, and going on sweet treat runs!
Song on repeat: “White Keys” by Dominic Fike
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Attending the football games and experiencing all the fun traditions that come with being a UO student.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: I’m excited about the close-knit community and meeting people who are curious and passionate about making a difference.
What change do you want to make in the world: To create a more sustainable future by inspiring people to care about the environment and understand the impact they can make.
Favorite hobby: Drawing
Song on repeat: “7 Words” by Deftones
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Playing in the marching band.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: The connections and friends I will make.
What change do you want to make in the world: To research better methods of therapy and mental health treatment in alternative to using drugs/medications.
Favorite hobby: Playing tennis, playing music for older adults, and exploring new places with the people I love.
Song on repeat: “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: To learn alongside people with completely different perspectives, discover new interests, and explore the beautiful Oregon outdoors.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: Learning to listen deeply and express my ideas through a liberal arts education, while bringing that perspective to my interest in science and medicine.
What change do you want to make in the world: To make women’s healthcare more accessible and responsive to each person’s needs.
Favorite hobby: I love to play tennis.
Song on repeat: “Massive” by Drake
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: I am looking forward to meeting new people and taking challenging classes
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: Discussion-based classes and completing a thesis project!
What change do you want to make in the world: To make high-quality healthcare and scientific innovation more accessible, especially for underserved communities, by advancing medical research that improves lives.
Favorite hobby: I love hiking, biking, reading, playing sports, and taking any excuse to explore somewhere new. Being outdoors is where I feel most at home.
Song on repeat: “Run This Town” by Olly Murs
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Meeting people from different backgrounds, explore everything Oregon has to offer, and get involved in hands-on research. I’m looking forward to challenging myself both in and outside the classroom and making the most of every opportunity.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: To be part of a community that values curiosity and learning. The opportunity to take interdisciplinary classes, work closely with professors, and eventually develop a thesis around a topic I’m passionate about is something I am also enthusiastic to explore.
What change do you want to make in the world: I hope to contribute to protecting wildlife and wild places through scientific research and conservation. My goal is to better understand ecosystems, advocate for their protection, and help ensure that future generations can experience the same natural beauty that has inspired me.
Favorite hobby: Playing the tenor saxophone or reading
Song on repeat: “Summer Madness” by Kool & the Gang
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Studying abroad.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: Small, discussion-based classes with other students.
What change do you want to make in the world: To reduce the world’s inequalities.
Favorite hobby: Playing soccer and making lattes.
Song on repeat: “Flagstaff” by Ax and the Hatchetmen
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: The beautiful campus and just getting to be a part of the UO community (and of course going to football games)
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: To be surrounded by people who are just as passionate and motivated as I am.
What change do you want to make in the world: I hope to help people better understand one another, especially when it comes to neurological differences and disabilities. I want to use science to challenge misconceptions and help create solutions that make people’s lives better.
Favorite hobby: Playing volleyball
Song on repeat: “Cinderella” by Mac Miller ft. Ty Dolla $ign
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: The friendly environment where I know I’m going to meet so many new people who might carry into the future.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: Smaller class sizes so more personalized learning, as well as the honor-specific classes and their uniqueness.
What change do you want to make in the world:
To make it more fun, giving people more reasons to laugh, connect, and enjoy the life they’re living.
Favorite hobby: Paint and hike.
Song on repeat: “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: The school spirit and football games!
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: Having such a strong community of like-minded people.
What change do you want to make in the world: To make the world a more creative and colorful place.
Favorite hobby: Spending time at the beach and doing anything outdoors, whether it’s hiking or just being outside with friends.
Song on repeat: “In My Life” by The Beatles
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Meeting new people, stepping outside my comfort zone, and experiencing everything UO has to offer.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: The smaller class sizes because they give me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with both my classmates and professors while having more engaging discussions.
What change do you want to make in the world: To make the world a little kinder by treating people with empathy and respect and encouraging others to do the same. I believe even small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference in someone's life.
Favorite hobby: Watching the latest movies and reviewing them on Letterboxd.
Song on repeat: “ATM” by Don Toliver
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Studying abroad in Asia, making deep long-lasting connections with friends, trying dining hall food, and watching women’s sports!
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: To be a part of a community of dedicated scholars and learn cool things other people have passions for!
What change do you want to make in the world: To make a corner of it kinder, more curious, and a little more hopeful than I found it.
Favorite hobby: Building Metal Earth kits
Song on repeat: “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Discovering new interests, passions, and hobbies.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: The broad and varied liberal arts curriculum.
What change do you want to make in the world: To ensure that all people can thrive in a healthy, clean environment.
Favorite hobby: I do a lot of theater musical and straight plays, and I’m currently Miss Bay Area Teen in the Miss America Program.
Song on repeat: “Dangerous” from “Epic the Musical” by Jorge Riviera-Hernandez
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: To being a part of the amazing UO community, making new friends and exploring new things!
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: The small class environment, and the fact that I’m going to be able to interface with my professors and really get to know them one-on-one, and the amazing education that I know I’m gonna get!
What change do you want to make in the world: I feel like many things in the world have become very divisive, and if I could make one change, I would hope to help foster a society with a sense of community, even through disagreement. Where we’re working with each other to affect common goals.
Favorite hobby: Reading! I love all genres, but especially fantasy and dystopian because they’re an escape into a whole new world.
Song on repeat: “what’s wrong with me” by Olivia Rodrigo
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: The possibility of studying abroad and immersing myself in a diverse learning environment!
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: I am highly anticipating the one-on-one engagements with my professors and the strong faculty and peer support system!
What change do you want to make in the world: I wish to increase accessibility to professional healthcare services and treatment for people in developing countries.
Favorite hobby: I really love to find new food spots with my friends.
Song on repeat: “Gen 5” by Drake
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: The football games and finding my people at UO!
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: To have the freedom to think outside of my major and ask big questions.
What change do you want to make in the world: I hope to use science to advocate for women and help create a healthcare system where every patient feels heard and cared for.
Favorite hobby: Tennis
Song on repeat: “Matilda” by Chad Lawson
What are you most looking forward to about your UO experience: Getting to know a new area and finding my niche within the UO community.
What is most exciting to you about the CHC: Exploring subjects beyond my major to discover new interests.
What change do you want to make in the world: Expanding healthcare accessibility in the communities I serve.