Willow Hamilton

This is a photo of me on the Owyhee River in spring. March is a chilly, but beautiful time, to explore eastern Oregon.

2021-2022 Scholarships
Doug McClain Memorial Scholarship in Planning
Joseph M. Edney Memorial Scholarship

Degree: Master of Community and Regional Planning

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2022

Prior Degree
BA Environmental Studies, University of Oregon

I Am Originally From Bend, OR

WHY I CAME TO THE UO AND HOW I CHOSE MY MAJOR
I am immensely proud and connected to being an Oregonian. I was born here, and although I grew up east of the Cascades, I couldn’t imagine living in another state. Each season spent in Eugene, surrounded by rainforest, open spaces, the beautiful Willamette River, and my caring community is a gift. The University of Oregon is where I learned how to protect this state, its natural resources, and its citizens. Here at UO, we care about each other, and we care about the environment. I wouldn’t want to live, work, or study anywhere else.

My first several jobs after graduating with my BA from UO were in the Active Transportation field, which is closely related to Community and Regional Planning. From these professional experiences I knew I wanted to work in the public sector to help organize our cities and towns to be as healthful and sustainable as possible.

UNIQUE QUALITIES I BRING TO MY STUDIES
I am the middle child of 6 siblings. Nobody in our family had attended college before, and I was the first out of my siblings to attend a University. It was hard to navigate, but I’m happy to report I have been able to assist my younger siblings as they pursue higher education. I am also the first to pursue graduate studies, and will be the most educated person ever in my family!

MY INFLUENTIAL PROFESSORS
I was drawn into landscape architecture and botany by Whitey Lueck, Instructor in the Department of Landscape Architecture, who teaches Trees Across Oregon and The Nature of Eugene. Whitey is a known character around campus, and was very influential to me during my undergraduate studies. He helped my foster greater attention to the nature that was surrounding me everywhere. I had always appreciated nature, but so much of it had blended into the background of my experience. Whitey helped me really hear the bird songs, see the new buds in spring and the fungus decaying the leaves in fall, and more. My experience when outdoors is so much richer thanks to him. I can also name over 150 native plants and their Latin names from his class, which is pretty neat!

MY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
I am a full-time staff member at UO in addition to pursuing a graduate degree part-time, so I am not involved in any student organizations. I sit on the Equity and Inclusion Committee for my division at UO, and am involved in pursuing any educational opportunity I can to learn more about equity. I have taken nearly every equity training UO has to offer, and am looking forward to continuing this education. In my free time I am a bit of a Willamette River fanatic and spend many weekends canoeing and paddling the river, streams, and side channels. I love to see Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles both juvenile and grown, Juncos, King Fishers, Green Herons and more. I’ll also spot minks, beavers, and other small mammals sometimes. I’ve always got my line in the water too, and frequently reel in Willamette Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. I call it “instant chill” as soon as I push off from the boat ramp, something about the rushing water of the river washes all worries away.

MY GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT UO
Getting there was a long and painful process, but my greatest learning experience was how to work toward good without carrying the weight of the world. In my early years at UO I felt so heavy from studying all the difficult and disturbing content within the Environmental Studies Program (example: We are destroying the planet, and not slowing down). Over time I have learned how to direct my life in a way where I feel I am working towards good and making a difference, without getting slowed down and emotionally hurt from understanding the suffering in the world.

AFTER GRADUATION
I’d love to gain a position working for Eugene or Springfield in the planning field. I want to use my education to contribute to the careful and equitable growth of this area, which I love so much. I honestly think Eugene/Springfield is the best city ever, and it has so many special attributes. We are going to grow no matter what, and I want to do so in a way that takes into consideration underserved populations, while also maintaining the parks, open spaces, and natural beauty that make this such an amazing place to live.

YOUR GIFT
I was SO HAPPY to get the email stating I received these scholarships. As a first-generation student with no family financial support, I am still paying off loans from my undergraduate degree over five years later. I will have to take out additional loans to finish my Master’s degree, so everything helps.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel so lucky to have been selected, and although it is only a small percentage of the total — just feeling supported by somebody in this way is more than I have ever received in the past. I am very grateful.