Events

Spring 2024 Events

  • Why Theology Needs “Derry Girls”
    • 1/31/2024
    • UP professor Amy Ongiri uncovers some surprising theological wisdom in the global hit series, Derry Girls, about a tight group of teen friends in 1990’s Northern Ireland.
    • Watch the lecture here!
The Derry Girls Cast
  • Science and Faith in Dialogue
  • 2/6/2024
  • UP chemist Steve Mayer and philosopher Norah Martin engage on topics ranging from climate change to AI through the lenses of science and of faith. Moderated by Dr. Eric Anctil.
  • Watch the lecture here!
  • UP Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combo Concert
    • 2/9/2024
  • Wind Symphony and Chapel Music Concert
    • 2/10/2024
  • University Singers & Bel Canto Concert
    • 2/11/2024
  • UP Orchestra Concert
    • 2/11/2024
  • Author Talk with Michael O’Loughlin
    • 2/13/2024
    • Author of Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear provides insights from his non-fiction work on quiet stories of compassion in the early days of the AIDS epidemic. Michael O’Loughlin is an award-winning journalist and the national correspondent for America Media. He is the host of the podcast Plague: Untold Stories of AIDS and the Catholic Church, recommended by The New York Times and featured on NPR. Prior to joining America magazine, O’Loughlin was a national reporter for The Boston. Globe. He has written for The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, National Catholic Reporter, and The Advocate and has been featured on MSNBC, Fox News, ABC, CBS, and NPR.
    • Watch the lecture here!
Michael O’Loughlin and his book Hidden Mercy

In her most recent book, poet Pattiann Rogers offers a fresh metaphor for the ephemeral nature of experience, time, and the human soul—flickering. Informed by everything from the neuroscience of consciousness to campfires and “the beauty of bells,” Rogers’ flickering has a lot to teach us about art, science, and ourselves. The panel was moderated by University of Portland scholar Corey S. Pressman (Integrative Health and Wellness) and rounded out by Rachel Wheeler (Theology), and Shannon Mayer (Physics). 

  • These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich
    • 2/21/2024-2/25/2024
    • Based on a true story, These Shining Lives chronicles the strength and determination of four women who were poisoned by the working conditions at the Radium Dial Company. Through years of work, Catherine, Frances, Charlotte, and Pearl create an enduring bond of female friendship, which is vital to their lives. A story of survival in its most transcendent sense, Catherine and her friends refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits. Marnich’s play shows the human drama behind a keystone case of labor rights in the United States. Directed by Dr. Lezlie C. Cross
    • Access the digital playbill here!
Photo by Ryan Reynolds
  • Portland Chamber Orchestra Young Artist Competition
    • 3/9/2024
  • Schoenfeldt Distinguished Visiting Writers Series: Ross Gay
    • 3/18/2024
    • Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays—The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023. For his visit to UP, we will be discussing his book, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude.
    • Learn more about ReadUP!
  • Self-Discovery and Transformations
    • 3/19/2024
    • In honor of Women’s History Month, Azeb Madebo, Isabelle Soule, Claire McKinley-Yoder and Anne Santiago—women from vastly different academic disciplines—engage in a public conversation about how their ongoing work in various countries on the continent of Africa shapes their teaching, perspectives on the broader world, and even their senses of self.
    • Learn more about this event!
Anne Santiago
Isabelle Soule
Claire McKinley-Yoder
Azeb Madebo
  • Mei Ting Sun – Piano Masterclass
    • Wednesday, March 22

Public piano masterclass sponsored by the Portland Chamber. Orchestra and featuring critically acclaimed pianist Mei-Ting Sun.

  • CHIRP Panel Presents: The Vow of Dis(Obedience)
    • Tuesday, March 26
    • 7:00pm in Brian Doyle Auditorium
    • This presentation by UP student scholars led by UP’s Dr. David Farina Turnbloom explores how cultural norms and teachings in the Roman Catholic Church, particularly regarding obedience and seminary formation, influence clergy behavior and group dynamics, potentially contributing to various forms of abuse.
    • Watch the lecture here!
  • Reading with Oregon Book-Award-Winning Fiction writer Kesha Ajose-Fisher
    • Tuesday, April 2
    • 5:00pm in the UP Bookstore
    • Join Nigerian American fiction writer Kesha Ajose-Fisher as she reads from her Oregon Book-Award-Winning collection No God Like the Mother and discusses social justice and the writing life.
    • More information about the reading here!
Kesha Ajose-Fisher
  • Non-Majors Recital
    • Friday, April 5
    • 7:00pm in Mago Hunt Recital Hall
    • Free – No Tickets Required
  • Writers Literary Magazine Spring Edition Launch Party
    • Tuesday, April 9
    • 6:00pm in UP Bookstore
    • UP’s very own student-created and published literary magazine will be launching their Spring 2024 edition. Join us in the Bookstore to hear writers read their pieces and pick up your own physical copy of the magazine.
    • More about Writers here!
  • 58th Annual University of Portland Jazz Festival
    • Wednesday, April 10
    • All Day in the Chiles Center
    • Free – No Tickets Required
  • Wind Symphony Concert
    • Saturday, April 13
    • 4:00pm in Buckley Center Auditorium
    • Free – No Tickets Required
  • UP Orchestra Concert
    • Sunday, April 14
    • 7:00pm in Chapel of Christ the Teacher
    • Free – No Tickets Required
  • The Prom by Matthew Skylar, Chad Beguelin, and Bob Martin
    • April 11-13 and 17-20 at 7:30pm; April 14 and 21 at 2:00pm
    • Mago Hunt Theater
    • Buy tickets here!

Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom is “so full of happiness that you think your heart is about to burst!” (Variety). Be sure you don’t miss this funny and heartwarming production, which The Oprah Magazine proclaims is “the kind of show that would make the world a better place if everyone saw it.” 

  • Pre-Play Receptions & Panels: The Prom
    • Saturdays, April 13 & 20
    • Reception: 6:15pm; Panel: 6:45pm; Play: 7:30 in Mago Hunt Center
    • All show ticket holders are invited to enjoy a complimentary wine and small bites reception before the show as campus experts highlight what to look and listen for, courtesy of the Garaventa Center.
    • More information about the play here!
  • University Singers Concert
    • Saturday, April 20
    • 2:00pm in the Buckley Center Auditorium
    • Free – No Tickets Required
  • Music That Makes You Laugh: A Beckman Humor Project Concert
    • Thursday, April 25
    • 7:00pm in Mago Hunt Recital Hall
    • Vocalists and instrumentalists of UP’s Music Faculty and selected students perform pieces meant to make us smile, chuckle, and sometimes subvert the status quo.
    • More information about the concert here!
  • Public Research Fellows Showcase
    • Friday, April 26
    • 3:00pm in Franz Lobby
    • Come learn about the various PRF undergraduate research projects that have been conducted over the course of the school year!
    • Learn more about PRF here!
The 2023-2024 PRF Cohort