The University’s student-run news source, The Beacon, has won six national Mark of Excellence Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. Winners include:
- Hannah Sievert, Feature Writing (Small School Division), “Call to the Church“
- Ben Arthur, Sports Writing (Small School Division), “Tall Standards: Despite Being Undersized, Wintering and Johnson are one of the Top Backcourts in the Country.”
- Rachel Ramirez, On-line Feature Reporting, “Life and Terror: John Paul Mugisha Finds a New Life on the Bluff.”
- Finalist, Claire Desmarais and Brennan Robinson, General News Reporting (Small School Division), “ROTC Adjusts Training in an Era of Mass Shootings.”
- Finalist, Annika Gordon, Feature Photography (Small School Division), “Muslim Women Answer: What Does the Hijab Mean to You?“
- Finalist, Rachel Rippetoe, General Column Writing (Small School Division).
For more information contact student activities at x7470 or stuact@up.edu.
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association, based at Columbia University in New York City, has awarded The Beacon eight 
Orientation for new students begins on Friday, January 12, at 9 a.m., in the Pilot House, according to Jeromy Koffler, student activities. For a complete schedule of events, go to 
All University community members who identify as Latinx (Latino/Latina/Chicano/a/Hispanic, etc.) and work at UP in any capacity, including adjunct, faculty, staff, and administration, are invited to contact Yuri Hernández Osorio, who serves as diversity & inclusion program coordinator in students activities. Hernández Osorio hopes to form an informal group for Latinx employees. She hopes to create an email list so the group can stay in contact, organize events, and share trainings and resources. The overall mission is to gather and provide informal support to each other. To join the group or for more information contact Hernández Osorio at 
Yuridia Hernandez-Osorio joined the Office of Student Activities on August 3, 2017, as the new coordinator for diversity and inclusion programs, according to Jeromy Koffler, student activities. She is a 2015 University of Portland graduate with a bachelor of arts in social work, and won the Joseph S. Gallegos Award for Outstanding Service and Leadership in Social Work that same year. Since her time at UP, Yuri completed her masters of social work at the University of Michigan, where she served as an intern at Wayne State University’s Latino/a and Latin American Studies Center.
The University of Portland’s student-run digital news publication, The Beacon, has won six First Place awards in the regional 
The planning process for fall 2017 new student Orientation programs and activities is underway, according to Jeromy Koffler, student activities. Any suggestions, recommendations, proposals, requests, or other all around “we should really do that!” items will be gratefully accepted by Koffler (
All community members are welcome to join University of Portland’s community peace vigil honoring the justice, compassion, and love of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, January 16, 2017, at 7:15 p.m., in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. If you cannot attend, stop by the Commons to see the peace intentions that will be offered during the vigil. They will be on display throughout the week. The University will also have a display honoring Dr. King in the Clark Library throughout the week of Monday, January 16. For more information, please contact Bethany Sills in Student Activities at