News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.”
The student activities office will be hosting a farewell party for Tyler Zimmerman, associate director for student engagement, on Friday, September 13, at 4 p.m., in the Pilot House. Tyler began as an assistant hall director in Christie Hall in fall 2012. He was hired as coordinator for weekend and late night programming in fall 2014, and was promoted to his current position the summer of 2018. Please come wish Tyler well as he moves on to a position at a marketing firm in the Pearl District.
For more information contact Jeromy Koffler, student activities, at koffler@up.edu.
Inspired by the University’s Holy Cross values of hospitality and community, and in response to frequent requests from family members, the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations and the Office of Student Activities are partnering to expand opportunities for parents and family members to experience life on campus with their students. Traditionally this has been the focus of Junior Parents and Families weekend. Beginning with the 2019-2010 academic year, UP will offer Junior and Senior Family Weekend in the fall semester (November 1–3, 2019) and First-Year and Sophomore Family Weekend in the spring semester (February 14–16, 2020).
These weekends will feature unique programs and activities that will highlight the student experience on The Bluff. Learn more about this new program by using this link.