News - November 2021

UP’s Student-Teachers Get a Crash-Course in Flexibility

Pilots Prevent

November 30, 2021

University of Portland’s School of Education has always made field experience a top priority. Beginning with their first year in the program, students spend time in K-8 classrooms around the region, observing the teaching process, getting ready for their senior year when they work with mentors as student-teachers in a classroom.

Ryan Szto

Electric Truckin'

Portland Magazine

Alumni

November 24, 2021

For Ryan Szto ’21, the joy of engineering begins with the simple notion of being in the field. “I hated sitting behind a desk at school,” he says, “so I didn’t want to do that at work.” Ryan is a product validation engineer at Daimler, a truck manufacturer, whose offices are ten minutes away from campus. There, Ryan is working in the growing field of Daimler’s electric-powered semi-trucks.

Cars driving around track.

Engineering Students Race in the Electric Vehicle Grand Prix

Portland Magazine

November 24, 2021

On a race track in Wilsonville, Oregon, six University of Portland engineering students—otherwise known as the Pilot Speed Racing Team—stepped into their go-karts, strapped on their helmets, turned the ignitions, and approached the starting line, motors rumbling. The air smelled of gas and burning rubber. The flag rose. And they were off.

Artwork: Black KintsugiIso

Entry Point

Portland Magazine

November 24, 2021

Artist and author Makoto Fujimura visited University of Portland (via Zoom, from his studio in Princeton, NJ) in early September to give the Zahm lecture, an annual talk on faith and reason. Days later, on September 11, 2021, Fujimura relaunched the Kintsugi Academy, which he co-founded as a way to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, an event that gave his work new focus. What follows is an excerpt of Fujimura’s remarks.

UP’s Nursing Students Gain Real World Experience Despite the Limitations of COVID

Pilots Prevent

November 23, 2021

Hands-on experience is a key component of a University of Portland education, and even though COVID-19 has limited some of the field experience opportunities usually available to students, by the same token it has opened up some surprising new avenues for growth and development.

What We’re Thankful For

Pilots Prevent

November 23, 2021

Here at UP, Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday for feasting, it’s a state of mind — a feeling of gratitude we strive for every day of the year. We recently asked members of the UP community what they’re thankful for. Here are some of the responses we received.

Thanksgiving Special Hours on Campus

Pilots Prevent

November 23, 2021

Many campus services have shortened hours this week, but students staying on campus will still have access to dining services, and Campus Security is always available 24/7. And if you’re looking for something to do with other students, check with your residence hall staff to see what events and festivities are planned.

What COVID Case Management is Really Like (Hint: There’s a Lot of Snacks)

Pilots Prevent

November 16, 2021

If you’ve ever taken a rapid COVID test, you’ve likely experienced “second line anxiety.” That’s the fear and trepidation you feel as you wait to see if the second line appears on the stick, the one that indicates the test is positive. Everyone dreads the second line.

Putting the What in the When is How to Tame the Test Anxiety Beast

Pilots Prevent

November 16, 2021

As students approach the end of fall semester, many are likely feeling a bit anxious about their upcoming exams. It doesn't help that we're all struggling with COVID anxiety too. So, we spoke with Brother Tom Giumenta, UP’s resident expert on study skills and a learning assistance counselor in the Shepard Academic Resource Center, to get his insights on how to get through these final weeks without letting the stress win.

Updates on Mental Health Services at UP’s Health & Counseling Center

Pilots Prevent

November 9, 2021

With the onset of COVID-19 and subsequent restrictions, some services at UP’s Health & Counseling Center (HCC) have been altered, but the events of the last year-and-half have only bolstered HCC’s mission to provide inclusive, compassionate care to UP students. Staff have turned the HCC website into a great resource for COVID-19 info, and have provided some new mental health services for Fall 2021 Semester and beyond.

Engaging in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs During COVID

Pilots Prevent

November 9, 2021

At the beginning of the pandemic, no one was surprised to learn we’d have to wear a mask in public spaces (although few of us likely guessed we’d still need to do so almost two years later). But how many of us could have predicted that the pandemic would give many folks the time and space to really listen—to each other, to ourselves, and to the voices that have been calling for justice, equity, and inclusion for generations.

Five Questions about Seasonal Affective Disorder with Andrew Downs, professor of Psychological Sciences

Pilots Prevent

November 9, 2021

The days are getting shorter as we march toward winter, and that means we have to make a concerted effort to stave off the winter doldrums. Seasonal Affective Disorder is no joke, but there are ways to minimize its impact. We asked Andrew Downs, professor of Psychological Sciences, for his advice on proactively protecting our mental health this winter.

How to Get Involved in Service Opportunities in the COVID Era

Pilots Prevent

November 2, 2021

As we approach the holidays, a season of giving thanks, our thoughts also turn to giving back. Our communities need more help than ever, whether it’s our neighbors down the street or the many global communities we belong to as citizens of the world. If you’re not sure where to start, what opportunities are available, and how to serve safely, UP’s Moreau Center for Service and Justice can lead the way.

Tips For Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

Pilots Prevent

November 2, 2021

The temperatures have dropped and we’re all spending a lot more time indoors. That means, you guessed it, cold and flu season is here. But with the COVID-19 pandemic still in play, this isn’t the usual season of sniffles. Every cough, every achy muscle can feel like cause for alarm. We asked Miko Hoy, a registered nurse at UP’s Health and Counseling Center, to give us some insights and advice for keeping the worries, and germs, at bay.