DUCK TALES: Trip to D.C. is positively presidential for GTF

Patricia Hickson spent some time recently hobnobbing with Bill Clinton, Jon Stewart, Madeleine Albright and Usher.

Well, OK, hobnobbing is a stretch, but those were some of the big names on hand at the fifth annual Clinton Global Initiative University held recently in Washington, D.C.

The program educates students about global challenges such as climate change and public health and gives them the support they need to take action. Hickson, a GTF in the College of Arts and Sciences, attended with LiveMove, an interdisciplinary student group that promotes livability and active transportation.

Hickson said she and LiveMove attendee Allie Camp gained valuable tips and contacts as they develop an outreach campaign to organize social-service agencies and other underserved interests as a unified voice for more transit options.

She also gained a fresh perspective on the nation’s 42nd president.

"We got to see a bit more of the person behind Bill Clinton," Hickson said. "He’s really got a deep faith in the capacity of people to improve their lives and those of others around the world."

“Duck Tales” is a regular feature of Inside Oregon, focusing on the lighter side of faculty/staff life at the UO. Contact Matt Cooper at mattc@uoregon.eduif you have story suggestions.