Randy Geller, general counsel to the University of Oregon, today announced his decision to retire effective June 30.

In a personal message to several close colleagues, Geller noted that he informed President Michael Gottfredson of his intentions on April 21.

“Randy Geller has provided great service and tremendous counsel to this university through both challenging and exciting times,” said Gottfredson. “His legacy of helping shepherd this organization into a historic new governance model will be felt for many years to come.”

“I started as a higher education attorney in 1995 with the career goal of serving as the general counsel of a major public research institution with a Division I athletics program,” Geller wrote.  “I have achieved that professional goal.”

In his note, Geller, who began working for UO in 2003, reflected on his accomplishments during his time as a Duck, including his role in crafting Senate Bill 270, which paved the way for the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon.

“I am honored to have been entrusted with drafting the original proposed bill and negotiating, along with my superb colleague Dave Reese at Portland State University, its final content with legislative and executive branch colleagues,” Geller wrote. “This was an experience of a lifetime.”

Geller added that he “ suspect(s) there will be some on campus, given the nature of my work here, that may try to frame this as something other than the simple truth:  it is time for me to move on to the next chapter of my professional career.”

-- By Tobin J. Klinger, Public Affairs Communications