University welcomes new Assistant Director for Student Media Edward Langlois

For 30 years, Langlois worked for the Catholic Sentinel, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Portland. He served as managing editor from 2006 to 2022, where he assigned and edited stories while managing a $700,000 budget. 

While at the Catholic Sentinel, Langlois covered stories on topics such as climate justice and the Oregon homelessness crisis. 

With this experience, Langlois believes journalism is important for UP’s campus and beyond. 

"It's never been more important," Langlois said in an email to The Beacon. "It's our defense against the trending normalization of lying."

In addition to his work as a journalist, he most recently served as the Communications Director for Catholic Charities of Oregon.

Langlois also earned a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from UP in 2016. His wife, Karen Mertens, is also a UP alum. They married in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher in 1994.

According to Koffler, Langlois will start at the university alongside current Assistant Director for Student Media Nancy Copic. 

Copic, who announced her retirement last spring following 15 years in the role, guided Beacon staffers, fostered a newsroom culture and empowered student journalists throughout and beyond the University of Portland. 

Langlois says he wants to support Copic’s legacy and foster The Beacon as a source of connection for those on campus. 

"My hope is that we continue the tradition built by years of student journalists and by Nancy Copic, who has been steadily heroic,” Langlois said in an email to The Beacon. “The Beacon can serve as connective tissue for UP.”

Rieve Randall is the Community Engagement Editor for The Beacon. He can be reached at randallr28@up.edu.