The University of Portland community considers Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a day ON (not a day off), in the spirit of King's wise assessment of what gives meaning to life. We believe as he articulated, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' " Our series of MLK Day ON events reflect-in-action our missional commitment to teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership.
Every year we select a theme to focus our MLK Day ON activities. The 2025 theme is "Hope Matters," which both emphasizes the importance or significance of Hope and invites us to engage topics, considerations, matters related to Hope.
Hope is essential -- it sustains us in the face of challenges, guides us toward a brighter future, and fuels action for change. The theme "Hope Matters" not only reflects its importance but also the wide-ranging topics hope inspires: political reform, ethical action, educational transformation, and creative innovation. The theme is also firmly rooted in the maxim of the Congregation of Holy Cross, The Cross, Our Only Hope, and inspired by Pope Francis’ call to be Pilgrims of Hope in the Catholic Jubilee Year of 2025.
May your participation-in-community in one or more of these MLK Day ON 2025 activities support you in your personal and collective pilgrimage of Hope that "does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)
University of Portland Day of Service
MLK Day is officially observed every year on the third Monday in January, and has the distinction of being the only federal holiday designated by Congress as a National Day of Service to encourage everyone to volunteer and make a difference in their local community as a way to honor each other as well as the life and legacy of Dr. King.
The UP community will host its day of service on Saturday, January 18, and Moreau Center for Service and Justice has done the heavy lifting to secure a variety of service and community engagement opportunities for us to enjoy. Check out the options and sign up today by clicking here!
Spaces are limited so, act quickly!
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Mass in anticipation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Please join us in celebrating this special (annual tradition!) Vigil Mass with Archbishop Sample and the African American Catholic Community of Oregon (AACCO) to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
There will be plenty of seating, so there is no need to RSVP if you will be making your own travel arrangements.
For students, staff, or faculty who would like to ride together, please RSVP here and plan to meet at the pull-out next to the Pilot House and the University bookstore at 4:45 PM.
WHAT: Mass in anticipation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
WHEN: Saturday, January 18, 2025; 5:30 - 6:30 PM
WHERE: St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1716 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209
Interfaith Campus Unity Vigil Celebration
Join us in honoring Dr. King’s legacy of Hope, how Hope resonates throughout all spiritual traditions, and what Hope means for our diverse campus community. An annual tradition and campus favorite, this event will feature gospel, student readings, inspiring reflections, candle lighting & more!
=> Special Guest Reflections by Dr. Karen Eifler and Dr. Marjorie Attis-Josias
=> Music by LaRhonda Steele and the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir
Celebrate with us! Everyone is welcome.
Blessed Basil Moreau Noon Mass Celebration in Chapel of Christ the Teacher
Today we join with the
Though it's unlikely Martin Luther King, Jr. knew of Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau, Moreau's allyship with the poor, persistent preaching of the Gospel, and care for the sick set a model for the active faith Dr. King demonstrated almost 100 years after Moreau's death.
One notable example was Dr. King's announcement in 1967 of the Poor People's Campaign, a nonviolent march on Washington, D.C. to protest poverty. In collaboration with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), this campaign called for an end to income inequality, lack of opportunity, and low wages.
To Blessed Basil Moreau, friend of the poor and model to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to all of us, we pray:
Come to the Noon Mass today, January 20, to honor Blessed Basil Moreau. All are welcome.
MLK Day ON 2025 Hope Matters Keynote Panel: "Why Does Hope Matter?"
Why is Hope so needed today to actualize Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision (and ours)? What wisdom can the fields of Education, Ethics, and Design Thinking bring to bear on the topic? How might Engineering or....dare we say, Politics, offer fresh and interesting insights on Hope that open new possibilities to meet our world's challenges today?
Join us in person or via Zoom webinar (registration required - see below) as we delve into this exciting inquiry for our challenging and interesting times.
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WHAT: Why Does Hope Matter? 2025 MLK Day ON Multidisciplinary Panel
WHERE: Brian Doyle Auditorium in Dundon-Berchtold Hall, University of Portland
If you would like to attend live virtually, register by clicking here
WHEN: Monday, January 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM Pacific Time
The University of Portland great thinkers you will hear from include:
==> Anne Santiago (Political Science): The role of hope in shaping policies and political systems.
==> Rebecca Smith (Education): How hope empowers educators and learners to transform communities.
==> Dan McGinty (Ethics): A moral and ethical exploration of hope as a force for justice and good.
==> Fr. Peter Walsh, CSC (Congregation of Holy Cross): The spiritual significance of hope and its grounding in faith.
==> Itzel Cruz Megchun (Design & Innovation Thinking): How hope fuels creativity and solutions for a better future.
==> Fr. Tyler Kreipke (Engineering): The intersection of hope and engineering—innovating solutions for humanity's greatest challenges.
(Moderator: Tshombé Brown, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
Men's Basketball vs San Diego
UP's basketball team will be facing San Diego. Join us to support our athletes!
Archive of previous MLK Day On events.
Updated 1/17/25
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
