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t the Bidwell Marriott in downtown Portland, a hub of industry expertise converged on Friday, April 4, for the fourth annual Real Estate Networking Event. Hosted by the University of Oregon's UO Real Estate Investment Group (UOREIG), this signature gathering brought together business and industry professionals with students and faculty from the Lundquist College of Business.

    As leaders in real estate mingled with the next generation of talent, they gained insight into the college's expanding portfolio of real estate programming. Student leaders and faculty shared recent academic achievements, including a presentation by the team behind the University of Oregon's winning entry in the NAIOP Pacific Northwest Redevelopment Challenge.

    Industry collaboration is key to supporting the Lundquist College's mission, according to Bruce Blonigen, Edward Maletis Dean of the college. "Events like this create a two-way bridge," he said. "Professionals meet top student talent and see firsthand how we invest in real estate education, while our students gain critical exposure to the Portland business community."

    The Lundquist College has strengthened its ties with the Portland metro area through alumni partnerships, experiential learning opportunities, and student-led initiatives like UOREIG. This expansion of real estate curriculum and connections is a testament to the college's commitment to preparing students for professional careers in real estate.

    Special thanks go to Scott Andrews and Melvin Mark, as well as Travis Drilling and NAIOP Oregon, for their support in making this event happen.