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.
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 
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:
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 
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!
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.
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 (
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 
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.”