22 OregonStater.org B O O K S N EWS 1. Scrolls of a Sports Scribe by Kerry Eggers, ’75 This two-volume collection captures 50 years of veteran Oregon sportswriter Kerry Eggers’ unforgettable sports journalism. Spanning the years 1975 to 2025, its stories chronicle Super Bowls, Olympic Games and World Series; highlight Oregon State greats, from distance runner Dale Story to championship coach Pat Casey; and share an insider perspective on national legends and iconic moments. Learn more: bit.ly/sports-scribe. 2. Epic Earth by Lindsay Nikole, ’20 From her work with the Cheetah Conservation Fund to her viral TikTok videos about early life on Earth, Lindsay Nikole is no stranger to educating people about animals, but this illustrated science book for all ages is her most comprehensive project yet. Learn more: bit.ly/epic-earth. 3. The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson, MFA ’24 In 1955, a Black family passing for white moves to a whites-only suburb, where they uncover chilling secrets. This thriller won the LA Times’ 45th annual Book Prize for Young Adult Literature and was selected as a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews. Learn more: bit.ly/color-lie. 4. Tender Currencies by Scot Siegel, ’90 Rooted firmly in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, this collection of pine-scented poems meditates on climate, location, and geologic and human transformations. Tender Currencies won the 2024 Sally Albiso Poetry Book Award. Learn more: bit.ly/tender-currencies. BOOKS BY BEAVERS 2 1 3 4 B R I E F S BATTLING SUPERBUGS In a potential breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, researchers at Oregon State, William & Mary and the NIH uncovered how antimicrobial peptides — small proteins that puncture bacterial membranes — can be designed to aim at specific targets more effectively. The team, co-led by Myriam Cotten, associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics, developed formulas linking peptide behavior to their bacterial-killing power, paving the way for new treatments against infections that no longer respond to antibiotics. The discovery could help scientists create a new class of lifesaving drugs to combat global health threats. EXTENSION RETURNS TO PORTLAND AREA For the first time since 2002, Oregon’s most populous county approved funding for OSU Extension Service. This reinstates the cooperative funding partnership between Multnomah County and OSU. (During the 23-year gap, OSU’s Master Gardener program persisted in Portland thanks to private donations.) Efforts this year will focus on increasing support for county farmers. Residents can find upcoming events and sign up for a newsletter at beav.es/multnomah. CELEBRATING SERNA Alexis Serna, ’08, went from walk-on to one of the greatest kickers in college football history. At Oregon State, he earned All-American honors, won the Lou Groza Award and in 2023 was inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame. He went on to play professionally in the Canadian Football League before returning to lead OSU’s Beyond Football program, preparing student-athletes for careers beyond the game. A new short film tells his dramatic story. See it at bit.ly/alexis-serna.
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