BEND, OR -- A local University of Oregon Duck Club is re-launching in Bend. Oregon has four alumni groups across the state - in Eugene, Portland, Bend and eastern Oregon, but the Bend chapter has been quiet over the last couple of years.

Kim Gammond is the new President of the Bend Chapter. She tells KBND News, "We focus a lot on getting Ducks connected after college, when they're in Central Oregon, with other Ducks. That's with careers, networking and recruitment. We work with the Advancement Office at U of O to get into the schools and talk with perspective students about going to the University of Oregon and providing support to their families once they go." In the future, the group hopes to offer scholarships to local students who go to U of O.

Gammond says, "It's an opportunity for all of us. Most of us who went there, U of O gave us a lot. It was a great experience, at least for me personally. And, it's an opportunity to give back to the school and also help create opportunities in Central Oregon for high school kids interested in going there and helping bridge that connection for them."