Grand opening weekend at University of Oregon in Portland

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Sept. 15, 2008) -- A sampling of the cultural and academic offerings available at the University of Oregon in Portland will highlight the grand opening of the university's White Stag Block from Wednesday, Oct. 1, to Saturday, Oct. 4.

The refurbished, 103,000 square-foot, green facility in Old Town Chinatown gives the state's students and professionals more hands-on opportunities in subjects such as journalism, architecture, digital arts, product design and law. In addition, continuing education courses are offered in a variety of areas including sustainability leadership, applied information management and festival and event management.

The UO's move began in the spring with the first classes held in the facility; however, the grand opening weekend marks the completion of the move with academic programs and the Duck Store now fully up and operational.

"The White Stag Block is a fine example of the University of Oregon's commitment to innovation, learning and knowledge," said Wendy Larson, vice provost of Portland programs. "We invite the public to come and see our amazing facility, but also to soak up our intellectual, artistic and cultural offerings as well."

The public is invited to take 30-minute guided tours of the White Stag Block on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, staff will be available to provide information about opportunities for individuals interested in continuing education or academic programs offered by UO in Portland.

The grand opening celebration will also feature lectures from experts on subjects such as urban planning and sustainability and the history of multimedia. First Thursday exhibits will showcase painting, sculpture, photography and digital arts including an appearance by product designer Rosanna Bowles.

Highlights include, "Covering the Coverage: A Report Card for Presidential Campaign Reporting," a panel discussion with participants from the UO School of Journalism and Communication and media professionals from the Northwest, from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2.

The UO School of Architecture and Allied Arts will host "suddenly, the shape of a new city," a lecture by Thomas Sieverts from 3 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3. suddenly begins in Portland and will transpire in many places around the world to spark discussion about the new shape of cities.

In addition, UO School of Music and Dance and the Oregon Bach Festival present a free concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, with performances by UO faculty pianist Alexandre Dossin, the UO Faculty Woodwind Quintet and pianist David Riley. Only 200 tickets will be available for the free concert. To ensure a seat, tickets can be picked up in advance at Sherman Clay/Moe's Pianos, 131 NW 13th Ave., the White Stag Block Duck Store, 70 NW Couch St., or Washington Square Mall Duck Store, 9378 SW Washington Square Road.

A schedule of all free, public events is as follows:

Wednesday, Oct. 1
• Noon to 1 p.m.: "Urban Planning and Sustainability," lecture by visiting professor Alexander Schmidt, professor at Universität Duisburg-Essen, Room 142

Thursday, Oct. 2
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Product Design guest lecture: "Placemaking: Lessons from Portland," Sabrina Jetton, ZIBA Design, will talk about Portland’s creative industry, Room 142/144
• 4 to 5 p.m.: "Covering the Coverage: A Report Card for Presidential Campaign Reporting," panel discussion with participants from the UO School of Journalism and Communication and media professionals including Bob Caldwell, editorial page editor with The Oregonian; Christy George, reporter with Oregon Public Broadcasting; and Joe Lowndes, UO professor of political science, George S. Turnbull Center, Third floor
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.: First Thursday exhibitions and screenings with guest product designer and UO alumna Rosanna Bowles plate signing, Fourth and fifth floors

Friday, Oct. 3
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Digital Arts guest lecture: "A Brief History of Multimedia," by Dana Plautz, Room 142
• 3 to 4 p.m.: "suddenly, the shape of the new city," lecture by Thomas Sieverts, Room TBA

• 5 to 6:30 p.m.: Panel discussion: “Was there urban history here before Portland, and of what use is it?” Thomas Sieverts joins University of British Columbia historian Coll Thrush (author of Native Seattle), PSU archaeologist Kenneth M. Ames (co-author of Peoples of the Northwest Coast), anthropologist Melissa Darby, and University of Puget Sound historian Douglas Sackman to discuss indigenous patterns of urbanism before the arrival of “city builders” in this region, Room 142

• 8 p.m.: Music concert by the UO School of Music and the Bach Festival, main level event room. Note: Tickets can be picked up at Sherman Clay/Moe's Pianos or the Duck Store locations.

Saturday, Oct. 4
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Guided 30-minute tours of the White Stag Block, lobby; public art displays throughout the building
• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: "The Scopes Trial: What Really Happened?" lecture by Benton Johnson, professor emeritus of sociology, University of Oregon, hosted by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Room 142

For the most up-to-date schedule of grand opening events and information about the UO's Portland-based programs and the White Stag Block, visit http: pdx.uoregon.edu or call 503-412-3696.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu

Links: University of Oregon in Portland, http://pdx.uoregon.edu
UO in Portland fact sheet, http://tinyurl.com/27xd6j
UO in Portland green facts, http://tinyurl.com/25tujq
What others are saying, http://tinyurl.com/2hrrfn


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