Daniel McNamara

This is a photo a friend took of me recently with their film camera.

Degree: BFA

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2021

I’m From: Portland, Oregon

Why I Came to the UO and How I Chose My Major
I chose UO because of the reputation it has as an academic institution. I also felt that I would enjoy Eugene as a place to live and the people I would meet. I enjoy the College of Design for the focus it has on its students and I feel like I can interact with my professors and the staff in ways that aren’t typical of a large University.

I choose my major because art seems to be the one thing I keep coming back to. It’s something that fulfills me in ways few other things do. I also want to be able to foster spaces for others to find and practice art. I feel that it’s something that needs more people focusing their energy on because of the backseat it takes in many parts of education, both at college level, but more so in K-12. My career goals are to become an art educator so that I can bring theses spaces to students.

Unique Qualities I Bring to My Studies
Before coming to UO, I completed my Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree at Mt. Hood community College in Gresham, Oregon. After that I began working for the Multnomah Education Service District Outdoor school in Portland. I continued that work from 2017-2018 before applying to UO. In that time I learned a lot about what it takes to teach and work with middle and high school students.

My Influential Professors
Derek Franklin, a visiting professor at UO, was my professor for drawing and painting. I found his style of teaching particularly helpful in seeing the importance of doing work for the sake of your own education and growth. This has helped me throughout my time at UO in how it’s shaped the way I approach my work and class assignments.

My Extracurricular Activities
I fire some of my work at Pleasant Hill Pottery just outside of Eugene. I’ve found a supportive and friendly community there. I think it’s important to have a community of people to share a common passion with. It has helped me stay motivated to continue doing my work, and brings a stronger sense of worth to the work I’m making.

My Greatest Learning Experience at UO
I’m surprised at how much I am enjoying learning how to use digital methods as a way of creating art. I did not think this would be something I enjoy. The time I spent in ARTD 250 with Ty Warren was incredibly insightful and this course introduced me to these tools that I don’t think I would have used if I hadn’t taken the class.

After Graduation
I hope to become a teacher of art. I hope that I can share the education I’ve received from the UO with others. That is something that has had a massive impact on my own life and I hope to provide that for others after I graduate.

Your Gift
Since coming back to finish my undergraduate degree, financial stress has been an issue for me. I’ve struggled to balance working and focusing on my education. I’ve tried to supplement this by working over the summer, but this past summer, the job I had lined up fell through at the last minute and I was unable to make up most of the lost income. This scholarship is helping me greatly to alleviate this financial burden.

Thank you so much for creating this scholarship. It is helping me with my studies and what I plan to do with my education after I graduate.