University

of Oregon

Contact: Jessica Hales, Media Spokesperson
Day: (360) 904-1505
Evening: (360) 574-2973 (Ext. 2)
Email: jhales2@uoregon.edu


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Coltrane to Receive Emerald Award of Leadership

EUGENE, Ore., (Oct. 28, 2014) The Eugene Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors has named Interim University of Oregon President Scott Coltrane the first
recipient of the Emerald Award for Leadership.

Every year, the Eugene Chamber of Commerce recognizes local individuals who put
forth an extra effort in making the community flourish through quality business
practices and community involvement, said David Hauser, president of the Eugene
Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber Board of Directors created a new award this year honoring an
individual who has taken extraordinary strides to promote quality of life issues
within the Eugene/Springfield community. Starting now, the Emerald Award for
Leadership will be given annually to a local resident who displays a passion for
community-driven leadership.

Scott was an obvious choice for us, said Hauser. His work on paternity and stay-
at-home fathers demonstrates the progressive roles of fathers in the modern
household and proves his initiative-driven desire to better his community. Not only
is he a father himself, but he also contributes to UO, serving as the interim president
for the University of Oregoncurrently fighting to keep tuition costs low for
students.


Coltrane is known for his extensive family research on the increased desire for paid
paternity leave for men in the U.S., with only about 10 to 15 percent of employers
offering such benefits. His work discusses the important benefits of a fathers
presence during the early stages of infancy. The United States is the only developed
country that does not offer paid leave for men or women when they have a child.

Coltrane attended the University of California, Santa Cruz from 1974 to 1988
earning his bachelors, masters, and doctorate. The next 20 years, Coltrane taught
and researched at the University of California, Riverside until he came to the
University of Oregon, where he became the dean of the College of Arts and Letters.

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EMERALD AWARD OF LEADERSHIP RECIPIENT

I am beyond honored to accept such an award, said Coltrane. The Eugene
community has always been welcoming since the day my family and I moved here,
and I have wanted nothing more than to contribute to its uplifting success. I hold
high value for education, and Eugenehome to the University of Oregonhas given
me the opportunity to aid young, potential-filled leaders to make greater strides in
this world than anyone before us. I have never wanted anything more.

I think the Chamber of Board Directors hit this spot on, said Leslie Shodack,
University of Oregon College of Arts and Letters faculty member and colleague of
Coltrane. Scott really cares about his community and students. He genuinely listens
and cares about what others have to say. He quickly became a community favorite
with his frequent public forums and city hall-styled meetings to discuss student and
community issues.

Coltrane will be awarded the Emerald Award of Leadership on Thursday, Nov. 20 at
5 p.m. at the Hilton in downtown Eugene.

For more information about the event or award, contact Jessica Hales, community
relations liaison at (360) 904-1505 or by email: jhales@uoregon.edu

About University of Oregon
The University of Oregon, founded in 1876, is an extensive research university that
serves its students and community with the innovative knowledge in liberal arts,
natural and social sciences, and professions. The university is a community of
intellectual individuals recognizing knowledge as the fundamental wealth of
civilization and who are dedicated to the highest level of academic learning and
service. The University of Oregon is the Association of American Universities
flagship institution of the Oregon University System.

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