2026-02-16

Field Notes In Sound with Julian Saporiti (Feb. 17)

February 2, 2026

Join musician, scholar, and storyteller Dr. Julian Saporiti to experience the Pacific Northwest’s landscapes through an artistic lens that weaves together music, history, and ecology. Drawing on his work as musician-in-residence at Portland’s Hoyt Arboretum, Saporiti uses field recordings, images, and song to explore how the natural world sustains our spiritual and intellectual lives, offering a vision of sustainability that unites ecology with imagination.

The House of Black Excellence GALA (Feb. 21)

February 2, 2026

We are proud to present our Black History Month Art Exhibit at the BC Gallery, a celebration of Black artistry, culture, and resilience from past to present. Join us for an opening gala event on February 21 at 5 p.m. to celebrate works centered on themes of resistance, identity, and the enduring legacy of Black excellence.

Science Olympiad is coming to UP – Call for Volunteers! (Mar. 14)

February 2, 2026

Oregon Science Olympiad is coming to UP and we need volunteers! The tournament will bring several hundred high-achieving students from all over Oregon to campus on March 14 (all day!). It is a fun-filled, STEM-filled set of competitions. If you don’t think of yourself as a ‘science person’ or ‘STEM person,’ all the better! Come volunteer and show these folks that UP is the place for curious people!

Difference Award Honorees 2026

February 2, 2026

Athletics celebrates this year’s “Difference Award” winners, Professors Beth DuFault and Courtney Ngai, and honors Lisa Reed for 29 years of service. Join us in recognizing them at the Feb. 18 Men’s Basketball game at 7 p.m. in the Chiles Center.

Larry Larsen, Performing and Fine Arts, designed the scenery for the production of In Clay for the Broadway Rose Theatre Company. The one woman musical tells the story of French ceramics artist Marie Berthe Cazin and is playing at the theater’s new stage space in downtown Tigard from January 23 – February 15, 2026.

Nicole Harvey, Nursing & Health Innovations, presented “Leveling Up Music History: Teaching Video Game Music in Online and Classroom Settings.” Co-presenter: Tellock, J. Presented at the Music and Gaming Symposium: Super MAGFest 2026. National Harbor, Maryland. January, 2026.

Simon Aihiokhai, Theology, published “‘Ordinary Time is a Period of Altruistic Living.’ Reflections on the Readings for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. January 18, 2026.” VoiceAfrique.org. January 17, 2026.

Corey S. Pressman, Public Health & Wellness, will be the featured artist in a solo exhibition of works entitled Aletheia. Presented by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, the exhibition will be on view from January 30 through April 27, 2026. An artist reception will be held on Sunday, February 8 at 11:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

Naveen Gudigantala, School of Business, presented “Beyond zero-shot: Enhancing LLM financial complaint classification with relevancy-driven RAG-based few-shot prompting.” Presented at the 59th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, January 9, 2026.

Susan McDaniel, Performing & Fine Arts, performed as the pianist for the visual album GILGAMESH, now available on all streaming platforms and YouTube. GILGAMESH is the contemporary retelling of an ancient tale and explores themes of friendship and mortality, incorporating song, dance, and film. Featuring music by J. Scott Brubacher and libretto by David James Brock, with direction and production by Four/Ten Media, the project is the result of a decade-long, interdisciplinary collaboration. The performers are baritone Stephen Lancaster, pianist Susan McDaniel, and dancer/choreographer Kyle Marshall (as Enkidu), with additional artistic collaborators Edo Tastic (creative designer), Daniel Stein (audio producer), and Bill Maylone (audio engineer). View the Visual Album, Behind the Scenes footage, and learn more About the Project.