From the Nominator

The 2023 issues of Portland magazine were stellar ambassadors for the values of University of Portland and the rigors of the education that students receive here. Our winter 2023 issue offered an inspiring cover story about a “green” building that two UP engineering alums helped make happen. (The piece led to alumni and student tours of the building.) Another feature, "Holy Spaces," grew out of engagement through our monthly magazine eblast. Alumni and parents described the place they found most holy—and the range of responses (and photography) were inspiring. We also featured the important role of libraries to democracy and faculty-student research about the loss of a local North Portland pool. Our fall 2023 issue again featured the contribution of UP scholars and the incredible opportunities for faculty-student research—this time with UP’s resident glaciologist from the summit of Mount Hood. We leaned into beauty and light with a story about a Vatican night tour our alums had taken over the summer. Our summer issue featured two alumni musicians--one a guitar craftsman and another a nurse who plays for her students and her clients experiencing houselessness in downtown Portland. We also included a student voice in this issue--she wrote about her research on the experiences of Japanese American citizens post-WWII, after they left West Coast detention centers. The student's research is an important contribution to the historical record. The writing in our magazine is consistently strong, and the visuals are often awe-inspiring.

From the Judges

We commend Portland’s stellar use of limited resources to produce a meaningful publication. We were impressed by the beautiful design and editorial quality.