Kelly Talbert

Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
E-mail: kellyt@uoregon.edu
Phone: (541) 346-1220
Recruiting territories: Lane and Douglas counties of Oregon

Hometown: Albany, Oregon
Alma mater: University of Oregon,  B.A. '00—Spanish and journalism
Number of years at the UO: Seven years in the Admissions Office
Where you’re most likely to be found hanging out on campus: In the Fishbowl enjoying some Holy Cow. The Fishbowl is famed for being the scene of a giant food fight in the movie Animal House. But now it’s just a nice place to have lunch with friends. And if that lunch comes from nearby Holy Cow Restaurant, it’s probably rice and roasted veggies, curry, organic salad, or something else delicious
Favorite thing to do in Eugene: It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d say it’s riding my bike all over Alton Baker Park. Eugene has some great parks
Tips for college success: Don’t be afraid to try a bit of everything. You will never regret trying out all kinds of activities and student groups. This is your chance to find an activity or a cause that you never knew you’d love
Why you decided to work at the UO: Because on the Friday before Homecoming Weekend, at 5 p.m., the entire Oregon Marching Band comes to our building and plays, like, five songs. All of us stand outside and clap and sing along. School spirit extends to our employees. To work in a place that is so dedicated to the success of students is a really inspiring thing
Best part of your job: I like talking to students who never pictured themselves as “college material” or never envisioned college as an option for them. When I can expand their perspective and help them understand that it IS attainable, and we start to talk about making a plan, it’s so great. The answers aren’t always easy, but helping them open that door, and talking about hopes and goals is so rewarding
Favorite Eugene restaurant: Does a bakery count? Who says the super-rich raspberry chocolate cake at Sweet Life doesn’t count as a meal
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring: iPod, cat, snorkel
Favorite UO fun fact: Before we were the Ducks….we were the Tall Firs
Most memorable college class: It’s a tie between The Birth and Death of Stars with Professor Robert Zimmerman or The Magazine Editor with Professor Thomas Wheeler
Quote you live by: "It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness"
Favorite duck: My husband was “the Duck” mascot for a few terms. He wins!
If I didn’t work in admissions, I’d be: A marine biologist, or somehow studying deep-sea creatures