San Diego Chapter and President’s Profile

By San Diego Chapter President Brenda Gerard

I was invited to join the San Diego Chapter nine years ago. Due to my background in the hotel business, I found it a natural match to assist and plan events for the San Diego Chapter. I have met many great alumni and as a Chapter we have achieved many accomplishments including increasing attendance at events, providing scholarships to local seniors in San Diego and spreading duck cheer throughout the Southern California community.

The Chapter’s upcoming activities include the Annual Spring “Taste of Oregon” in which food is paired with an Oregon wine (King Estate on May 21st, 2011). All proceed from this event support Student Scholarships for new ducks attending the UO from the San Diego area.

The Chapter also participates in local Pac 12 sponsored events including annual alumni baseball outings, freshman send off parties, social gatherings and more. The most popular events tend to be fall football watch parties currently held at the PB Ale House.

Additionally, Chapter volunteers, members and alumni have developed a chapter partnership with a local elementary school. The San Diego Ducks have adopted Debbie Kay’s Penasquitos Elementary and presented them with an honorary adoption certificate. Since the adoption, the chapter has received over 30 letters from the students highlighting recent duck visits and inspiring moment’s students have had learning about the university and opportunities available to them as potential college students.

For additional information regarding upcoming events, the Taste of Oregon, the 2011 Freshman Send Off and more, please contact Chapter President Brenda Gerard at bgerard@sbcglobal.net.