In a buzzing café on campus, Brittany Lang sits stretched out behind an overstuffed backpack. Already too caffeinated from the previous night’s study session, she politely opts out of another cup of coffee.
Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Lang, 22, is now an Oregon resident studying Product Design at the University of Oregon. Lang was one of the 20 freshmen that signed up for Carnegie Global Oregon’s first Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program four years ago. Looking back now, she reflects on how that small decision has shaped her academic career.
“I think you get a unique academic connection [with the CGO] that you won’t get from other FIGs,” says Lang. “The access to information and people is just profound.”
One of the highlights of Lang’s experience in the CGO was meeting Sister Helen Prejean, Author of Dead Man Walking. What Lang most enjoyed about that experience was having the opportunity to talk to her personally, an experience she probably wouldn’t have had without the CGO.
The ethical issues that Lang is most interested in are business ethics, sustainability, and juvenile justice. In addition to her involvement with the CGO, Lang is also a project leader in the University of Oregon’s Design for America (DFA). DFA is a nationwide network of interdisciplinary students that use design to create social impact.
“Now as a leader of a club I feel like I reflect good values and I hope that my leadership team sees that and copies it or learns from that.”
Lang feels that she has gained a lot more than opportunities and knowledge from the CGO. Her biggest take away has in fact been the relationships she’s made within.
“I think the biggest gain would probably be just friendship,” says Lang. “I don’t know if CGO necessarily has fostered that friendship throughout but it definitely made it possible to meet those people.”
Lang adds that the relationships she has made with CGO Professors and Graduate Teaching Fellows (GTFs) have also been the most rewarding experience. After Lang’s first year at the University of Oregon she moved back to her hometown of Tempe, Arizona. During that gap year the CGO Faculty Director, Shaul Cohen, kept in contact with Lang and encouraged her to return the following year, which she did.
At a University as big as the UO, it can often times be difficult to find one’s niche or place. The close-knit environment that the CGO fosters is what makes our organization so unique.
“There’s a lot of awesome ways that we’ve found our outlets individually that I think have made us connected to the community,” says Lang. “But having that grounding and support from the CGO is kind of why we succeed.”
Lang plans on taking a 5th year and finishing her degree in June 2016. She hopes to someday work in social and sustainable design for a non-profit.