If you identify as Latinx (Latino/Latina/Chicano/a/Hispanic, etc.) and you work for the University in any capacity (adjunct, faculty, staff, administration, etc.) and would like to join our informal Latinx Employee Group, please email Yuri Hernandez Osorio, student activities, at hernandy@up.edu. We gather informally over Zoom, happy hours, socials, and much more. We also have an annual carne asada. The goal of this group is to build community and support one another. To join, please email your name, title, and pronouns.
Student Activities
Beacon Staffers Shine Again
The Society of Professional Journalists Region 10 Mark of Excellence Awards were announced recently, and UP students journalists were named as winners and finalists in the following categories:
- Breaking news photography – Jennifer Ng
- Feature writing – Catherine Cieminski
- Editorial writing – Dora Totoian, Delaney Vetter and Gabi DiPaulo
- General news reporting – Madison Pfeifer
- In-depth reporting – Austin De Dios
- Online/digital feature videography – Elizabeth Lyons-Best
The Society of Professional Journalists Region 10 comprises Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from twelve SPJ regions.
Regional winners would normally be recognized at regional conferences, however, all SPJ Regional Conferences have been either canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Regional winners have been notified by email and will receive their award certificates via mail. National winners will be notified in the late spring.
For more information contact Nancy Copic, student activities, at copic@up.edu.
New UP Virtual Programming & Activities Resource
Student activities has launched the University of Portland’s Virtual Programming and Activities page for people who are looking for something to do, thanks to the efforts of Samantha Trunkett. From National Park tours to the KDUP Live Stream, there are many things that people can use to pass the time. Please use this link to open up your exploration opportunities.
For more information contact Trunkett at x7577 or trunkett@up.edu.
Beacon Wins Mark of Excellence Awards
Student journalists for the University’s news source, The Beacon, have been chosen as Mark of Excellence regional winners by the Society of Professional Journalists in the following categories:
- Breaking news photography – Jennifer Ng
- Feature writing – Catherine Cieminski
- Editorial writing – Dora Totoian, Delaney Vetter and Gabi DiPaulo
- General news reporting – Madison Pfeifer
- In-depth reporting – Austin De Dios
- Online/digital feature videography – Elizabeth Lyons-Best
First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.
For more information contact Nancy Copic, student activities, at copic@up.edu.
Outstanding Students & Staff: Nominate for Awards by March 18
Nominations are now open until March 18 for the 2019-2020 Division of Student Affairs Awards, to be presented on April 16. Please log into Engage to access the form and nominate outstanding students and student affairs staff for the Fr. John Van Wolvlear Award, the Community Care Award, Outstanding Contributor to Core Themes Award, and several others.
For more information please contact Christina Laird in the Office of Student Affairs at x8532.
Free Portland Taiko Performance, Feb. 15
All faculty and staff and families are welcome to enjoy a performance by the critically acclaimed Portland Taiko drumming troupe on Saturday, February 15, at 7 p.m., in Buckley Center Auditorium. Portland Taiko blends the tradition of Japanese taiko drumming with a sense of Asian American identity, creativity, and empowerment. Since its founding in 1994, the group has headlined at arts festivals and concert halls, and has performed at hundreds of community events and school assemblies. Don’t miss this memorable show!
For questions or ADA accommodation requests, please contact Jeromy Koffler or Bryan Dennis, student activities, at x7470 or stuact@up.edu.
First-Year and Sophomore Family Weekend, Feb. 14-16
The University will soon welcome approximately 800 participants in the inaugural Family Weekend for first-year and sophomore students. Parents and family members will arrive on Friday afternoon, February 14, complete their registration at the UP bookstore, and are welcome to attend a full slate of academic showcases and social events throughout the weekend.
This weekend provides a special opportunity for families to spend time together learning, exploring, and experiencing the true sense of our community here on The Bluff. The complete schedule of events can be found at this link. For questions or concerns, please contact Kathryn Seccombe at the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at x7328 or Jeromy Koffler, student activities, at x7470.
2020 Orientation Planning: Suggestions & Ideas Welcome
The planning process for Fall 2020 new student orientation programs and activities is underway, according to Jeromy Koffler, student activities. Any suggestions, recommendations, proposals, requests, or other “we should really do that!” ideas will be gratefully accepted by Koffler (koffler@up.edu); Brad Franco, history (franco@up.edu); or Shazib Vijlee, Shiley School of Engineering (vijlee@up.edu), by Thursday, February 13.
Day of the Dead Celebration, Nov. 1: All Welcome!
All are welcome to join student activities in celebrating their annual Día de Muertos event, a night full of cultural celebration with authentic cuisine, educational performances, sugar skull decorating, music, and so much more, on Friday, November 1, at 6 p.m., in Bauccio Commons. Family members and the public are free to attend. To showcase a photo of a loved one for display the altar please email Stephen at laphen21@up.edu. Don’t forget to RSVP on Engage and please encourage participation from your students!No Talent Show Seeks Nontalented Folks, Oct. 25
In the vein of last year’s Story Slam event, the Brian Doyle Humor Project will offer the No Talent Show on Friday, October 25, at 7 p.m., in Mago Hunt Center Recital Hall. Humor Project participant Georgia Paulk ’21 explains: “It resembles a talent show, which is a celebration of different peoples’ skills in a performance environment. This will be that, with a few twists. We’ve all seen the best musicians, dancers, and athletes out there, but I know there are more talents out there. I want to see the zaniest fitted sheet folding, improvised beatboxing, or maybe even just doing some creative orange peeling. If you’re even slightly good at something, this is your chance to show it off. I’m looking for participants that aren’t afraid to get up there and have fun.”
Paulk needs to see a brief preview of all “acts” ahead of time, so the deadline to sign up is Friday, October 18. All interested and slightly talented potential performers are asked to email Paulk at paulk21@up.edu as soon as possible. “If you don’t think you have any kind of interesting skill, think harder,” she says. “If you know you don’t have any kind of interesting skill, that means you know someone else who is skilled. So give them my information! Please.”