Claire Desmarais
Articles
Letter from the editor: Thank you for a historic, unforgettable year
Three years ago, my mom sent me a recruiting video on Facebook inviting University of Portland students to apply to work at The Beacon. At the time, I lacked a sense of belonging at UP, so I decided to apply and started working as a reporter in the fall of 2017. Then, I was hired as the news and managing editor, and finally, as the editor-in-chief for my senior year. Little would I know how much The Beacon would impact my life, and how much fulfillment I would gain from leading and working with a community of intelligent, creative and caring individuals.
UP goes up in regional rankings
U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Portland second out of 113 institutions in the Regional Universities West category of its 2020 ranking of colleges and universities. That category covers “universities that offer a full-range undergraduate programs, some master’s and few doctoral programs.”
Letter from the editor: Welcome to UP
Whether you’re a new student or a returner, I’m here to officially welcome you to this little place in North Portland we all call home. Here at The Beacon, we want to be a resource for you as you navigate life at UP. Our purpose is to provide the UP community with accurate, relevant and timely information to keep you informed about what’s happening on your campus.
School of Engineering dean leaving after eight years
Dean of the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering Sharon Jones will be leaving the University of Portland on June 30, according to an email sent to faculty, staff and students from Rev. Mark Poorman. She will leave to become the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Washington Bothell. Jones has served as the Dean of the School of Engineering for the last eight years.
Lecture Recap: Artist Claudio Talavera-Ballón discusses migration and role of women in social justice
On Wednesday night, students, faculty and staff filed into Buckley Center Auditorium to hear artist Talavera-Ballón shed light on “art, migration and the role of women in social justice.” He is an oil painter and muralist originally from Peru who now lives in San Francisco. His pieces focus on the relationship between art and social justice issues. He has worked with many Latin American farmers, fisherman, migrants and women to highlight their “struggles and wisdom.”
Staff Opinion: Why you should work for The Beacon
Did everyone you know tell you that college would be the best time of your life? Or at least be one of the best times of your life? They said you would meet new people, live in a new city and finally start taking interesting classes. I heard all these things during my senior year of high school and well into my freshman year of college.
Second annual Creator's Conference to be held this Saturday
Founded last year by Keaton Averman, the Creator’s Conference on March 23 will feature a variety of “digital media enthusiasts.” The event, sponsored by On the Bluff Studios, will be held in St. Mary’s from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and welcomes all UP students, faculty, staff, alumni and others in the community who are “interested in the creative digital media fields.”
New Outdoor Pursuits Program manager focuses on inclusivity
Imagine strapping up, walking to the exit of an airplane and free falling for what could be 60 seconds. Or maybe heading out on a boat on a clear day, putting on an oxygen mask and diving to the depths of the ocean. Although these don’t sound like your typical weekend activities, they are for Matthew Libby, this year’s new program manager for Outdoor Pursuits Program at Beauchamp Recreation Center.
Diversity Dialogues packed with events for the next two weeks
Today marks the first day of Diversity Dialogues. For the next two weeks, there will be a multitude of events put on by clubs and other organizations to help educate the UP community about a variety of topics related to diversity and inclusion. Events are free and open to all. “We’re carving out this time in the academic calendar to focus on issues that are related to diversity, equity, inclusion, race, privilege, all that good stuff,” said Yuri Hernandez Osorio, coordinator for diversity and inclusion programs. “But, the conversation doesn’t start or end there necessarily, and so another concept of Diversity Dialogues is continuing the dialogue.”
Public Safety to conduct an emergency alert drill on Thursday
On Thursday, Nov. 29, there will be an emergency alert drill conducted by Public Safety on campus, according to an email Sandy Chung sent to faculty and staff. The time of the drill has not been released, but it will test the UP Emergency Broadcast System, which sends voice, text and email messages to those who opt in to the system. To sign up for the emergency alert system, students must use their login to PilotsUP and go to the bottom right of the page to a tab titled “UP Alert Emergency Notification Info.”
