This Spirit of Portland U pennant (circa 1948 or 1949) is one item in the Student Life collection of the University Museum. Dr. Manuel Macias was the donor, a 1951 alumnus, long-time professor of Spanish (1958-1995), and faithful student scholarship donor — a true Pilot. The colorful pennant design logo prominently features then-new University mascot, […]
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From the University Bulletin, themes of mission and value
The University of Portland, an independently governed Catholic university guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, addresses significant questions of human concern through disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies of the arts, sciences, and humanities and through studies in majors and professional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a diverse community of scholars dedicated to […]
Battling Germs
Deep in the museum basement storage room in Shipstad Hall is a very large World War II-era Autoclave Sterilizer manufactured by the American Sterilizer Company. The hand-made sign reads: Sterilizer Used at the Swan Island Shipyards in World War Two The curious-minded might wonder the part a sanitizer might play in industrial shipbuilding, during World […]
On the Bluff: looking out, looking up
Once upon a time in a quiet corner of the campus, UP had a Starr Observatory. That is, an actual astronomical observatory with a twenty-inch computer-operated telescope for looking at stars in the night sky. The all-too-appropriate name was bestowed in 1985, honoring Professor Merle Starr at his retirement after years of teaching astronomy in […]
Tonsillectomy Bag
The tonsillectomy (tonsil-removal surgery) has been a rite of passage for many children (especially children from classic family television from the 60s and 70s). After-care always promising ice-cream treats! In real life, discharge instructions suggest applying cold-therapy externally in order to reduce swelling and inflammation. Today’s therapies might favor using a bag of frozen vegetables […]
A Given Life: Entwined with Learning
Brother David Martin, C.S.C., arrived on the Bluff in 1928. With no college degree (yet). He was immediately named the Librarian. The irony became sort of an inspiration. He was to hold the office of Library director until 1966. Faced with many challenges, Br. David worked in stages; waiting, proposing, pushing toward the possible and […]
TWIRP DANCE (=The Woman is Requested to Pay)
From its inception in 1951, the Associated Women’s Students sponsored awareness events. One such popular event was a Women’s Week to mark women’s accomplishments and activities. They capped off the week with a Sadie Hawkins-type dance — The TWIRP Dance (which was also a fundraiser). The woman partner arranged the date and purchased the dance […]
A Most Noble Order Indeed
Happy Birthday to Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 22, 1859. Portland’s Sherlock Holmes Society, known as “The Noble and Most Singular Order of the Blue Carbuncle” was founded around 1971 by Dr. James Covert, growing out of an evening class taught by the long-time history professor. The […]