To truly get a feel for the University’s atmosphere, it’s necessary to know campus’ iconic characters and important administrators.
Of the hundreds of notable personalities likely to be seen milling around campus, here are five to remember.
University President Richard Lariviere
University President Richard Lariviere has been the steward of campus affairs since the Oregon Board of Higher Education appointed him to the school’s most prestigious position on July 1, 2009.  Lariviere, who filled the shoes of 15-year president Dave Frohnmayer, was formerly the executive vice-chancellor and provost at the University of Kansas from 2006 to 2009. Before his work in Lawrence, the president was the dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin from 1999 to 2006, where he oversaw the doubling of external research funding and the hiring of more than 230 faculty members at the nation’s largest college of liberal arts. Lariviere received his bachelor’s degree in the history of religions from the University of Iowa in 1972. He eventually built his career around India’s languages, histories, religions and culture after travelling to the country with his wife, Janis.
He holds a doctorate in Sanskrit from the University of Pennsylvania, and has published articles and several books on Indian legal history, religion and Hindu law. The University pays him a healthy state salary of $245,700 plus substantial compensation from the UO Foundation. Last year, Lariviere focused on having transparent policies and following Oregon’s open records law.
Frog
Few Eugene locals encompass the overtly eccentric atmosphere on campus as well as 13th Avenue’s scruffy, gracefully belligerent, hoarse-voiced joke seller known as “Frog.” Through sun, sleet and rain, Frog, whose real name is David Miller, stands outside the Blue Heron Bike Shop sporting rain boots, a nose ring and his signature frog beanie.
“Have you seen the funniest joke books the world has ever seen?” he asks to the curious passersby, receiving reactions ranging from the diverting of eyes to toothy grins. Frog has been selling joke books in town for 24 years, before which he lived in Ohio, where he attended high school and college and earned a degree in journalism. His first trip to Eugene was a visit in 1979, and the city’s majestic landscape and compassionate citizens compelled him to stay. Though he has periodically battled with EPD over his right to sell his merchandise on the street corner, he has managed to build a reputation for himself through community support, making him a legendary Eugene character.
Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes
Robin Holmes has been the vice president for student affairs since July 15, 2007, and works to assist students with academic support. Her office sponsors programs such as the Career Center, the Counseling and Testing Center, the Dean of Students, the EMU, the University Health Center, the Holden Leadership Center, University Housing and the Office of Student Life. Holmes is a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked on campus since 1992. She served as the Dean of Students and director of the Counseling and Testing Center before her most recent appointment. She has taught classes focusing on aspects of multiculturalism, including cross-cultural conflict mediation and organizational development.  Holmes was involved in controversy surrounding the closing of the Crisis Center last spring term and has been a strong presence on campus since she became the vice president of student affairs.
Nike Chairman Phil Knight
Phil Knight is the cofounder and Chairman of Nike, Inc, and has a stake in the corporation worth an estimated $10.2 billion, making him the 62nd richest person in the world.  Perhaps the University’s most famous alumnus, he graduated from the University in 1959 with a degree in business administration and ran track for coach Bill Bowerman, with whom he cofounded Nike. Knight was inducted into the Oregon Sport Hall of Fame in 2000 for his contributions to Oregon sports and is believed to have gifted approximately $230 million to the University, with much of the funds supporting Oregon athletics.
Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Paul Shang
Paul Shang became Oregon’s assistant vice president and dean of students in April 2009, and has significant experience in student affairs, primarily in programs addressing student satisfaction and retention, first-year seminars, minority students, academic advising, student conduct and orientation. Shang holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in philosophy from Florida State University, in addition to a bachelor’s degree in government and philosophy. He has been nationally recognized for his work as the past president of College Student Educators International. Shang was active last year in developing a solution to the freshman housing shortage, and also attended Pacifica Forum meetings to watch the protests in order to be involved with student concerns.