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A student in a cap and gown at UP commencement with "University of Portland Commencement 2025" overlaid on the image.

UP Commencement Weekend 2025 | Schedule, Speakers, Honorees

Commencement

March 19, 2025

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Distinguished Professor at Vanderbilt University, to serve as undergraduate commencement speaker; receive honorary degree

Kerry Alys Robinson

UP Commencement Weekend — May 3-5: Speakers, Honorary Degree Recipients Announced

Commencement

March 10, 2024

Kerry Alys Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, to serve as undergraduate commencement speaker; receive honorary degree

Ari Shapiro

University of Portland 2023 Commencement Ceremonies Set for Sunday, May 7 at Chiles Center

Commencement

April 5, 2023

Ari Shapiro, weekday co-host of NPR’s award-winning All Things Considered, returns to Portland as UP Commencement Speaker, Honorary Degree recipient

Kunal Nayyar addresses students at commencement

Our Corner of the Cosmos

Commencement

Portland Magazine

Alumni

June 1, 2022

At this year’s Commencement, Kunal Nayyar—UP alum from the class of 2003 and professional actor known best for his role in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory—addressed the graduates of 2022. He told them that anything is possible, and he was so funny, warm, and charming that it was hard not to believe him. What follows is a lightly edited excerpt of his speech.

Graduates at commencement

First In-Person UP Commencement in Three Years Features Special Address by Kunal Nayyar ’03 to Class of 2022

Commencement

May 6, 2022

Over the April 30–May 1 weekend, the University of Portland community gathered at the Chiles Center to honor its graduating class of 2022. It marked the University’s first in-person commencement ceremonies since 2019, following virtual ceremonies in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic precautions.

Graduates at commencement

University of Portland Plans Multiple In-Person Commencement Ceremonies at Chiles Center – Its First Since 2019

Commencement

March 17, 2022

Following back-to-back years (2020, 2021) of virtual commencement ceremonies due to COVID-19 pandemic precautions, the University of Portland (UP) has announced plans to honor its graduating Class of 2022 with the school’s first in-person commencement since 2019.

Safe Can Still Be Fun: Ways to Celebrate Commencement This Spring

Pilots Prevent

Commencement

April 27, 2021

In-person gatherings may be restricted this year, unfortunately precluding UP from holding a traditional in-person Commencement ceremony, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the monumental achievement of a college graduation.

Celebrating Commencement COVID-Style

Pilots Prevent

Commencement

April 20, 2021

Commencement 2021 is almost here, and while it won’t look like the Commencement most students were expecting when they began their studies at UP, the University is doing its best to make the Class of 2021 feel celebrated while following the state of Oregon’s COVID safety guidelines for in-person events.

Students in caps and gowns

University of Portland Plans Virtual Commencement for Graduating Class of 2021; Announces Commencement Speaker, Honorees

Commencement

February 22, 2021

The University of Portland (UP) has announced plans for a virtual commencement ceremony honoring the graduating Class of 2021 on Sunday, May 9 at 1:00 p.m. Schedules for a virtual Baccalaureate Mass that weekend along with details for the commissioning of graduates from UP’s Air Force and Army ROTC programs will be announced soon. Commencement honorees include Sr. Marilyn Lacey, RSM; Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ; Carlos Kalmar; Carol Ann Mooney; and Gil Muñoz.

students sitting during commencement

Over 1,000 degrees conferred at University of Portland Virtual Commencement ceremony

Commencement

May 3, 2020

The University of Portland celebrated its Commencement in a virtual ceremony on Sunday, May 3, with 1,071 graduates who earned degrees from the Shiley School of Engineering, the Pamplin School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Nursing, and the College of Arts & Sciences.

Franz Hall

University of Portland hopes for in-person open to fall term; will honor 2020 graduates with future graduation ceremony

President

Commencement

April 27, 2020

The Class of 2020 will be honored with a virtual Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 3, and an in-person ceremony at a future date when it is safe to hold a large event. The University is planning for in-person classes in Fall 2020.

students sitting during commencement

University of Portland announces 2020 Commencement speaker and honorees

Commencement

March 10, 2020

The Office of the President at University of Portland has announced the speaker and honorees to be recognized during the 2020 Commencement ceremonies held on the UP campus in the Chiles Center on Sunday, May 3.

student smiling at commencement

Over 1,000 degrees conferred at University of Portland Commencement ceremonies

Commencement

May 6, 2019

The University of Portland celebrated its Commencement on Sunday, May 5, with 1,116 graduates who earned degrees from the Shiley School of Engineering, the Pamplin School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Nursing, and the College of Arts & Sciences.

photo of UP students in cap and gown

More than 1,000 students to participate in 2019 University of Portland Commencement ceremonies

Commencement

April 25, 2019

Former U.S. Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates, who grew up in North Portland, will address 1,131 students and their families on Sunday, May 5 at the Chiles Center at the University of Portland.

students in cap and gown

University of Portland announces 2019 Commencement speaker and honorees

Commencement

February 4, 2019

The University of Portland will award honorary degrees to Mary Carlin Yates, Amy Dundon-Berchtold, Susan Sygall, Mucki (Pei Ling) Tan '80, and Robert Watzke at its Commencement ceremonies Sunday, May 5, 2019. Sr. Alberta Dieker, OSB, will receive the Christus Magister Medal.

Commencement 2018

Largest graduating class in history earn degrees from University of Portland

Commencement

May 7, 2018

The University of Portland celebrated its Commencement on Sunday, May 6 with nearly 1,200 graduates projected to earn degrees, making the Class of 2018 the largest graduating class in the University’s history.

Commencement

University of Portland announces 2018 Commencement speakers and honorees

Commencement

February 6, 2018

The University of Portland has announced the guest speakers and the honorees to be recognized during the 2018 Commencement ceremonies, which will be held on the UP campus in the Chiles Center on Sunday, May 6.

2017 Commencement

Over 900 graduates to participate in 2017 University of Portland Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 7  

Commencement

May 1, 2017

Celia Hammond, the first female president of the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA), will address the 2017 University of Portland Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 7 at the Earle A. and Virginia H. Chiles Center on the University campus, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd..

2017 Commencement Honorary Degrees Announced

University of Portland announces 2017 Commencement speaker and honorees

Commencement

February 20, 2017

The University of Portland has announced the honorees to be recognized during the 2017 Commencement ceremonies, which will be held on campus in the Chiles Center on Sunday, May 7.

Over 1000 graduates to participate in 2016 University of Portland Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 1

Commencement

April 29, 2016

Tim Boyle and Fedele Bauccio will give Commencement addresses; Allen and Kathleen Lund will receive the Christus Magister medal; and honorary doctorates will be presented to Eleanor Blum,Rev. Robert S. Pelton, C.S.C., Cathy Rush, Steve Shepard, and Ron Thomas.

University of Portland announces 2016 Commencement speakers and honorees

Commencement

February 26, 2016

Allen and Kathleen Lund head the list of honors at the 2016 Commencement ceremonies. The Lunds will receive the University's highest honor, the Christus Magister Medal.

Larree Renda, University of Portland 2015 commencement speaker, tells graduates that attitude can help overcome adversity

Commencement

April 30, 2015

Addressing graduating students at the University of Portland 2015 spring commencement Sunday, Larree Renda, former executive vice president of Safeway, Inc., stressed the importance of attitude in responding to positive and negative moments in the future.

University of Portland to hold undergraduate commencement on Sunday, May 3; Larree Renda, former executive of Safeway, Inc., and member of UP Board of Regents, to speak

Commencement

April 6, 2015

University of Portland will hold its 2015 spring commencement exercises on Sunday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m. at the Earle A. and Virginia H. Chiles Center on campus, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd.