Following 26 months of major renovations to the former Concordia University, over 500 guests gathered on Thursday, May 29 to celebrate the grand opening of the UO Portland campus. Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included University of Oregon President Karl Scholz, Vice President for Portland Jane Gordon, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Suzanne Bonamici, the U.S. representative for Oregon's 1st congressional district.

Over 500 guests were in attendance and following the ceremony, all were invited to tour the renovated and transformed campus spaces including the new UO Portland Library and Learning Center.

At an appreciation luncheon for campus employees earlier in the day, the Library Activation Team members and staff were recognized for their hard work preparing the building and standing up the UO's newest library branch. Their work was previously honored with a 2024 UO Sustainability Award from Campus Planning and Facilities Management.

"Less than a year ago we were just about to close our downtown location to prepare for the move," said UO Portland Library Manager Michael Brown. "Creating the academic library, we have enjoyed this first complete school year with all the Portland programs at this campus."

After the ribbon-cutting, self-guided tours led attendees to points of interest, food and drink, and engagement activities in each campus building. In the library lobby there were exhibits on library history and UO research centers. Guests were invited to participate in a book-sorting challenge and a student employee from the School Psychology program hosted a story time in the Family Study & Children's Library. A centerpiece attraction was the zine vending machine that will be on display in the library through summer, helping to promote the Vanport Mosaic Festival.

"The celebration and tours allowed us to engage with prospective donors, alumni, neighbors, and many others who may not have seen the transformation of our spaces over the last three years," said Brown. "Our day was further enhanced by visits from Vice Provost and University Librarian Alicia Salaz, along with [the Eugene-based Libraries' Research and Learning Spaces team] Jimmy Murray, Eowyn Boosinger and James Daley. Many thanks to Lauren Anderson, Malaya Cansdale and our student employees Tyler and Paula for making this day a success!"