2016 has been a busy year for those of us in the news business – and The Beacon has been no exception. Even when it wasn't good news, we've been honored to tell your stories. Below are the 10 biggest stories from The Beacon in 2016:
Donald Trump elected President of the United States
In a decision that shocked many, Republican Donald Trump was elected the 45th POTUS with 306 electoral votes to Democrat Hillary Clinton's 232. Our reporters got reactions from students midway through election night, and while there were students on both sides following the election, many since have expressed concerns about a Trump presidency.
Student decries conduct process in sexual assault case:
At a time when many colleges and universities across the nation are facing scrutiny for their handling of sexual assault cases, University of Portland freshman Clara Ell came forward with her own story and discontent with the University's student conduct process. Following the spread of Ell's story, students organized several on-campus events and a protest at the annual donor Christmas dinner. The Beacon also discovered that the Department of Public Safety failed to abide by federal regulations in Ell's case by not entering her report into their Daily Fire and Crime Log; the log was updated Dec. 2.
Family Business: Terry Porter and two sons eye new era of Pilot hoops
Former Trail Blazer Terry Porter became head coach of the UP Men's Basketball team this year after Eric Reveno was let go last spring. Porter brings with him two sons, Franklin and Malcom, who are both redshirting for the team this year and a plan for shifting the culture of Pilot hoops.
Men's Soccer: Champions at last
In other sports news, the men's soccer team won its first West Coast Conference title since 2002 in a 1-0 home game against St. Mary's, after which nearly 300 students rushed the field to celebrate. Though they didn't make it far in NCAA playoffs, new head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt proved to be an important new force for Pilot soccer. Both men's and women's cross country, too, had standout performances this year, with the men earning a spot in the NCAA Championships.
Disconnected: Black students on The Bluff feel they don't belong
The racial makeup of the University of Portland maintains a majority of white students, though there are high profile black students on campus that the University often uses in brochures and commercials to paint its community as a diverse one. This leads many black students on The Bluff to feel disconnected from the rest of the student body and UP community. "To be honest, it just sucks, but that's the reality here," last year's ASUP President Khalid Osman said. Following the publication of this article and in the wake of college campuses across the nation grappling with issues of race, students organized several community discussions on race and inclusion, and University President Fr. Mark Poorman made diversity a priority in this year's five year strategic plan.
Students cope with construction after moving into Lund Family Hall
The long-awaited Lund Family Hall opened this year amid ongoing construction. Though it wasn't until October that construction was mostly completed and all residents were able to officially move-in, the new residence hall relieves some cramping that on-campus housing has experienced in recent years and brings a new unique dorm community - "The Wolfpack" - to UP.
Close call in Brussels for UP student
UP student Camille Illusorio was visiting Brussels, Belgium on a solo trip during her semester abroad last March when ISIS terrorist bombings hit the city. Illusorio was safe, thanks to an update on a news app on her phone that alerted her of the attacks, and told The Beacon what the experience was like.
Understanding the Oregon Standoff
The "Oregon Standoff" at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon earlier this year was big news nationally. The Beacon broke down the conflict in an interactive timeline, and spoke with political science professor Bill Curtis about the particulars of the case.
Students share their experiences for National Coming Out Day
In celebration of the 28th anniversary of the holiday, six LGBTQ students shared their coming out stories, and told The Beacon about how their identities have shaped their experiences at the University of Portland, and vice versa. “Coming out is a really good thing,” said sophomore Michael Gallagher. “It’s a release. And it’s an amazing thing to be able to be yourself.”
Jesse Dunn: On a mission for wellness
Jesse Dunn, co-founder of Active Minds and an outspoken advocate for mental health at the University of Portland who graduated in May 2016, shared his own story of struggling with mental illness and addiction, and that of his friend Michael Eberitzch, whose death inspired the start of Active Minds. Active Minds has been instrumental in bringing conversations about destigmatizing mental illness to campus, and Dunn was recognized by the National Depression on College Campuses Conference for his exceptional mental health advocacy for students.
