2021 was a year of comebacks. In-person classes returned along with a mask mandate, freshmen filled the dorms once again and the class of 2021 graduated with an in-person ceremony. As 2020 — the year of COVID-19 shutdowns — passed and the new year began, we saw the return of certain aspects of life that were lost in 2020. Daily Emerald photographers have captured  the steady return of normalcy, including  the return of sports, campus based activities, concerts and more. 
I started at the Emerald in winter 2021 and became the photo editor in summer 2021. Throughout my time, I have had the privilege of not only photographing so many unique subjects for the Emerald, but also having the honor of working alongside some of the most talented and versatile photographers at the University of Oregon. The photos in the 2021 Year In Photos edition were taken by former Emerald photojournalist and photo editor Maddie Knight as well as the current Daily Emerald Photo Desk; Isaac Wasserman, Mary Groswendt, Will Geschke, Maddie Stellingwerf, Serei Hendrie, Ali Watson, Sammie Henry and myself.
– Ian Enger, Emerald photo editor

Gallery • 17 Photos

Troy Dye (26) celebrates after runing the ball in for a touchdown. The Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Wash., on November 6, 2021. (Serei Hendrie/Emerald)