News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.
Summers in Oregon with clear night skies offer impressive views of the stars and planets from The Bluff. For over 50 years, the Starr Observatory stood behind the Commons as a beacon for astronomy enthusiasts. To learn more, follow this link.
The early foundation and shaping of the University Library and the University Archives is credited to the efforts of the indomitable Brother David Martin, C.S.C., who served as University Librarian and then as archivist during his long career on The Bluff. As the archives and artifacts unit marks the establishment of the University Archives on June 1, 1966, we return to our “A Given Life” series to focus on Brother David’s work and contributions to the University. Follow this link to learn more.
Under the category of CAMPUS LIFE, the 1957 Log has page after page with photos documenting the Welcome Dance, Engineers’ Barn Dance, Twirp Dance, Biologists’ Ball, Musicians’ Ball, Sweethearts’ Ball, Homecoming Dance, and Military Ball. For decades, the campus calendar could be measured against this rhythm of formal and theme dances complementing the daily focus on classwork, library, and exams. For a glimpse into UP social life in the 1950s and 60s, follow this link to the latest Museum blog post.
Congratulations to our retiring faculty! The University Archives and Museum have a new blog post recognizing these nine members of the University faculty for their many years of service. Visit this site for a slideshow of the honored retirees and see how they’ve changed over the years.
With the unusual circumstances surrounding the 2020 Commencement exercises, the staff of the University Archives and Museum looked through archive files for other commencement interruptions. We found one, in 1948. Visit this site for the full story.
Today’s news stories often include the faces and images of those on the front lines fighting this virus: medical personnel are right there, front and center. UP has assisted and contributed to the nursing profession–and calling–for 85 years. Not that the credit is ours, but we are proud to share and honor their commitment, and to recognize all nurses, EMTs, doctors, and first-line responders, the superheroes who work tirelessly and unselfishly fighting the current pandemic emergency.
In the century plus since our founding, the University has seen a lot, and been through a lot of ups and downs. Triumphs (yeah, like this year’s women’s basketball WCC championship!!!) as well as times of scarcity and disruption have marked our journey from then to now. Working from the archives in the deep basements of The Bluff, we have had a chance to look back and perchance reflect. Today’s offering from the University Archives and Museum uses the pages of The Beacon to look at a five-month period in 1945. Follow this link to our blog post and, as Dr. Jim Covert liked to say, “Keep your chins up!”
From early years—when Archbishop Alexander Christie would come to campus to celebrate his Name Day, i.e., later becoming Founder’s Day—UP has been privileged to share the life and wonders of its campus with friends and families. For a brief retrospective of the recent Junior & Senior Family Weekend, plus news of a picnic under the pines in 1934, follow this link to read a post from the University Archives and Museum.
For more information contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at piatz@up.edu or x8038.
Dundon-Berchtold Hall will be dedicated this week, but a new addition to the family needn’t obscure the birthdays of earlier arrivals and campus siblings. Swindells Hall is also celebrating its birthday this month, dedicated twenty years ago on September 23; and the Bell Tower was dedicated on September 18 ten years ago. To mark the Bell Tower dedication anniversary, the University Museum and Archives provide this post.
For more information, contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at x8038 or piatz@up.edu.
The University remembers Fr. Pomerleau for his years of service to the University community as priest, political science professor, administrator, and pastoral resident. Our memorial post from the University Archives and Museum about Fr. Pomerleau’s work at the University and beyond can be found here.
As a complement to the online entry, please also see the memorial and photo display for Fr. Pomerleau in the Buckley Center first floor display case near the Studies Abroad office.
For more information contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, piatz@up.edu or x8038.