By Kyle Bunch
For the most part, I am proud to be a student at the University of Portland. Why wouldn't I be? We have some of the top ranked programs in the Northwest, faculty and staff who are dedicated to our student body and students who take an interest in how they can make a positive change. We have successful sports programs, many successful events, and top of the line LEED certified buildings. Our campus is alive and growing to a new level every day.
Last Wednesday night was one of the moments where I wasn't so proud of being a Pilot, on the contrary, quite embarrassed. Our Student Activities office with the help of the Black Student Union brought to campus one of the most powerful and influential speakers that I have seen in the four years I have been at UP. Joe Rogers is a former lieutenant governor of Colorado, and a prominent African-American leader. His Dream Alive program engaged the audience in the history of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks' day on the bus in Birmingham to Martin Luther King's rise to fame and tragic death to the impact that it had on African Americans all over our country.
Such an influential person who is completely dedicated to the memory that these people and events which changed our country, and we had 27 students presents, not to mention two faculty members. Many people said that they had not heard about the event. How is it then that we have lines out the door for events such as Bullwinkle's, Blazer games, or "Phantom of the Opera?" We do the same amount of advertising if not more for events such as Dream Alive, but it seems over and over again that we are having low attendance.
"I Have a Dream," a dream that our university community would be more engaging in the wonderful opportunities that our school offers to us free of cost. I wish that more students would take advantage of the ability to be affected by the powerful performances of people such as Joe Rogers. I challenge you, UP faculty, staff, and students; realize the diverse opportunities that your school has to offer to you and take advantage. Yes, Blazer games are fun, but I think an important aspect of being a part of a university community is also the wonderful cultural and intellectual events that we have the chance to partake in.
?Kyle Bunch is ASUP President
