Beatrice Kahn  

History and English major, class of 2026

Raised in Oregon’s public schools and inspired by reading and writing, Beatrice Kahn, class of 2026 (history and English), has always believed in second chances. After reading Shakespeare's As You Like It in elementary school, she taped “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; and one man in his time plays many parts,” to her bedroom door, as a reminder and it's still there to this day. 

“The idea of people existing in an iterative process having many different roles, and the opportunity to almost remake yourself and have second chances, was a belief I grew up alongside,” Beatrice said.      

That belief continues to fuel her ambition, guiding her toward serving Oregon as a public defender.

A Foundation Rooted in Public Service

For Beatrice, public service is rooted in her family history. With four grandparents who were educators and parents who modeled civic engagement, she naturally grew up discussing politics, community issues, and ways to make a difference—these early influences now guide her toward a legal career rooted in advocacy and equity.    

Building on that foundation, the Stamps Scholar, is pursuing a career in public interest law. Her journey has been shaped by transformative opportunities that took her beyond campus, including the Harvard Future Leaders in Law Fellowship and the Newman Civic Fellowship. As one of the 30 Harvard fellows, she gained mentorship, law school preparation, and a national peer network committed to justice.  

Similarly, at the Newman Civic Fellowship convening in Chicago, she connected with students focused on disability rights, environmental justice, and community advocacy —spaces where she shared her passion for prison education and justice reform. Her commitment to justice began in high school with research on school resource officers and the link between education and the justice system. At the UO, her interest deepened through her work as a Policy and Reentry Intern with Shaul Cohen and the university’s Prison Education Program, which she calls her “rock” over the past three years.

Where Philanthropy Meets Passion 

Financial support from the Office of Distinguished Scholarships has helped make these learning experiences possible. With travel funding to Boston, Chicago, and New York easing her financial burden, Beatrice was able to fully engage—building friendships, exchanging ideas, and representing Oregon nationally. “It lifted a weight,” she says, “and allowed me to enjoy the moment and build connections.”  

Thanks to these experiences, Beatrice’s horizons now reach beyond the Pacific Northwest. Though she has lived her whole life in Oregon, she is preparing to defend her Clarks Honors College thesis and, looking ahead, hopes to attend law school on the East Coast, drawn by a strong public interest program. Throughout this transition, she embraces the uncertainty of what comes next with "solace and excitement in the unknown."  

As she reflects on that journey, from Oregon classrooms to national aspirations, her gratitude remains rooted in the community that made it possible.