One Duck’s legacy of language, learning, and global connection 

Driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, the late Janet Hughes Mersereau, BA ’69, MA ’71 (English), left a mark on countless lives—and ensured that impact would continue well beyond her own.  

As a teacher, mentor, and writer, Janet’s career reflected a deep commitment to service, spanning roles from migrant program instructor and vocational school instructor to community college educator and English as a second language teacher. Whether in the classroom or through her volunteer work at the Multnomah County Library and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Portland, Janet believed deeply in education as a bridge to greater opportunity and connection across cultures. 

That spirit of service endures through the Janet Hughes Mersereau Scholarship Fund, which she established in 2017 for the University of Oregon’s American English Institute. Following the discontinuation of the institute, the scholarship transitioned this academic year to the Yamada Language Center, where it currently supports five Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants from Turkey, Brazil, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Egypt.

Through this scholarship, the Yamada Language Center can offer instruction in less commonly taught languages that would otherwise be unavailable through the Self-Study Language Program. The fund also provides a safety net to help cover living expenses while scholars teach their languages and culture to UO students, staff, faculty, and community members, working under the guidance and mentorship of a master teacher.  

According to Yamada Language Center director Robert Elliott, rising costs in recent years prompted the center to evaluate whether it could sustain this invaluable program. Janet’s scholarship arrived at a pivotal moment. 

“The scholarship came as a blessing at the most opportune time, and we are so excited to have a stable way to fund these scholars for years to come,” Robert said. “At a time when the United States is increasingly looking inward, and interest in international cultures and languages is declining, the Janet Hughes Mersereau Scholarship reaffirms the UO’s commitment to preparing students to engage thoughtfully with people and societies around the world.” 

Over the years, Janet and her husband Brad received letters of gratitude from scholarship recipients, messages that affirmed the deep and personal impact of Janet’s generosity. Brad recalls one American English Institute student whose gratitude to Janet for the scholarship was so profound that they even attended her funeral after she lost her battle to cancer in 2019. It was a powerful reminder of the lives she touched and the relationships she built through education and care. 

“I’m very pleased Janet’s scholarship will continue, and I know she would be very pleased,” said Brad.  

Through the relationships, shared experiences, and global connections formed during a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant year, Janet’s legacy continues—fostering international understanding, strengthening community, and shaping lives for generations to come. 

If you’d like to give back and help continue the work Janet started, learn more about creating an endowment at the UO or make a gift to support the Yamada Language Center today.