Reed College Events

Good Enough Art: A Few Theses on Middling Mediations

09 Apr 2026 23:40:00 GMT

Eliot - Chapel
Thursday, April 9, 2026, 4:40 – 6pm

The recent surge of “mid” as an aesthetic judgment paradoxically discloses the missing middle in contemporary cultural arts: a decline of midbudget cinema, midlist fiction, and other just fine commodity aesthetic forms. Amid a historic eviction of the middle class, cultural study of the middlebrow can no longer rely upon the traditional sociological method. Briefly considering architecture, photography, fiction, and television, this talk experiments with a formalist approach to “good enough” art.

Anna Kornbluh's research and teaching interests center on the novel, film, and cultural aesthetics in theoretical perspective, including formalist, Marxist, and psychoanalytic approaches. She is the author of several books and essays and is a member of the UIC United Faculty bargaining team, on the editorial boards of Novel, Mediations, Genre, and Parapraxis, and is the founding facilitator of The Inter Chicago Circle for Experimental Critical Theory and a partner in HumanitiesWorks.org.

Sponsored by the Division of Literature & Languages. Free and open to the public.

Event Name: Lit & Lang Speaker: Anna Kornbluh
Organization: Lit & Lang Division
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

Portland Baroque Orchestra Concert

12 Apr 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Kaul Auditorium, Gray Lounge, Foyer
Sunday, April 12, 2026, 3 – 5pm

Join PBO for world-class, historically inspired performances. One of the nation’s oldest period orchestras, PBO is known for intimate concerts full of artistry, playfulness, and spontaneity. See below for concert information.

**For tickets or other event info, please contact Portland Baroque Orchestra directly by calling (503) 222-6000**

Sunday, October 19, 3 p.m.
Ground Bass: Pachelbel, Purcell, & Handel

Sunday, November 16, 3 p.m.
Father vs. Son: Two Bachs and Two Harpsichords

Sunday, February 15, 3 p.m.
Shadows and Light: French Baroque from Rameau to Couperin

Sunday, March 15, 3 p.m.
Hidden Women of Rome: Lost Music of Sacred Divas

Sunday, April 12, 3 p.m.
All Roads Lead to Mozart: A Celebration of Connection

Event Name: Portland Baroque Orchestra Concerts
Organization: Music, Portland Baroque Orchestra
Categories: Confirmed, Public Events

The United States of America: A 250th Anniversary Assessment

15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Eliot - Chapel
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 5 – 6:30pm

This July marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the pinnacle of a longer commemoration of the American Revolution's semiquincentennial. This panel of Reed faculty and visiting scholars will use this landmark anniversary as an occasion to reflect on the state of the United States today--and how we got here. Topics likely to be considered include culture wars, American empire, birthright citizenship, state-federal relations, and whatever members of the audience wish to bring up. Come join us as we grapple with the past, present, and future of the U.S. in advance of its 250th birthday.

Sponsored by the American Studies Program.

Event Name: American Studies panel
Organization: American Studies
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

What Causes Urban Wildfires: Applying L.A.’s Lessons to Portland

15 Apr 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Vollum - Lecture Hall
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 6 – 7:30pm

Join us for an evening with eminent energy consulting expert Robert McCullough '72 on Tuesday, April 14 at 6pm in Vollum Lecture Hall and Lounge.

6–7 p.m. - Vollum Lecture Hall - What Causes Urban Wildfires: Applying L.A.’s Lessons to Portland
Robert will examine how laws, economic incentives, and institutional structures shape wildfire outcomes, with a close look at the fragmented and siloed agencies that understood the risk but couldn't coordinate an effective response. Wildfire has evolved from a regional, seasonal threat into a continental crisis, as demonstrated by last year's $30-billion disaster in Los Angeles—a city with sophisticated plans and expert knowledge that still failed to act in time. The presentation also brings the issue home to Portland, where structural vulnerabilities similar to LA's put neighborhoods like Eastmoreland and Sellwood at serious risk.

Event Name: Lecture: Robert McCullough
Organization: Alumni Relations
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

Seeds of Liberation: Film Screening and Producer Q&A

16 Apr 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Psych 105 - Lecture Hall
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 5:30 – 8:30pm

Organization: Music
Categories: Public Events, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar
Event Name: Seeds of Liberation: Film Screening

As You Like It

17 Apr 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Diver Studio Theatre
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 7:30 – 9:30pm

Reed Theatre presents a favorite of the queer canon: William Shakespeare's masterpiece about love, gender, and freedom, As You Like It.

Follow Rosalind, one of Shakespeare's most profound orators, as she teaches Orlando the true meaning of love, all while inhabiting one of the most complex breeches roles ever written. Revel in the hilarious antics of a huge cast of characters that unites Reed students from across the college on our mainstage. Enjoy the poetry that has endured for over 400 years as it is brought to life by our community's collective and queered lens. It is a show that truly promises to be As You Like It.

Tickets required. All ticket revenue goes directly to supporting the theatre department at Reed College. Purchase your ticket here.

Event Name: Spring Mainstage Theatre Production
Organization: Theatre
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

2026 Earth Day

17 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Quad
Friday, April 17, 2026, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Organization: Conference & Events Planning (CEP)
Categories: Confirmed, Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar
Event Name: 2026 Earth Day (Quad)

Music@Noon Recital Series

17 Apr 2026 19:00:00 GMT

PAB Atrium - 1st Floor
Friday, April 17, 2026, 12 – 1pm

Event Name: Spring 2026 Music@Noon Recitals
Organization: Music
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

As You Like It

18 Apr 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Diver Studio Theatre
Friday, April 17, 2026, 7:30 – 9:30pm

Tickets required. All ticket revenue goes directly to supporting the theatre department at Reed College. Purchase your ticket here.

Event Name: Spring Mainstage Theatre Production
Organization: Theatre
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

As You Like It

19 Apr 2026 02:30:00 GMT

Diver Studio Theatre
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7:30 – 9:30pm

Tickets required. All ticket revenue goes directly to supporting the theatre department at Reed College. Purchase your ticket here.

Event Name: Spring Mainstage Theatre Production
Organization: Theatre
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

As You Like It

19 Apr 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Diver Studio Theatre
Sunday, April 19, 2026, 2 – 4pm

Tickets required. All ticket revenue goes directly to supporting the theatre department at Reed College. Purchase your ticket here.

Event Name: Spring Mainstage Theatre Production
Organization: Theatre
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

CRES Senior Thesis Showcase

24 Apr 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Eliot 314 - Classroom Lecture Hall
Friday, April 24, 2026, 2 – 4pm

Join the Comparative Race and Ethnicity Studies program to celebrate our seniors' work! They'll share a bit about their thesis projects, and there will be snacks!

Event Name: CRES Senior Thesis Showcase
Organization: Comparative Race & Ethnic Studies (CRES)
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

Music@Noon Recital Series

01 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

PAB Atrium - 1st Floor
Friday, May 1, 2026, 12 – 1pm

Event Name: Spring 2026 Music@Noon Recitals
Organization: Music
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar

Alumni Relations Senior Reception

15 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Quad
Friday, May 15, 2026, 3 – 5pm

Soon you’ll conclude your journey as a Reed student and emerge victorious as an alumnus. This calls for celebration. To congratulate and welcome you to the alumni community, Alumni Relations and the Center for Life Beyond Reed are throwing you a party!

Who: Class of 2026

When: Friday, May 15, 3–5 p.m. (the Friday before Commencement)

Where: Quad tent

The fun includes

free beer, cider, and wine
free food
your time capsule: add to it and decorate it
games and sportsball
a low sensory space
Alumni Advice Booth: ask your questions about post-Reed life, silly or serious

Bring a classmate and an item for the time capsule, which you’ll open at your 25th reunion in 2051.

—Alumni Relations and Center for Life Beyond Reed (CLBR) teams

Event Name: AR Senior Grad Celebration (Quad)
Organization: Alumni Relations
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar

Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal

16 May 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Kaul Auditorium
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 2 – 3pm

All graduating students planning to participate in the Commencement ceremony must attend. If it is impossible for you to attend rehearsal, it is your responsibility to inform both the registrar’s office and conference and events planning in advance.

Event Name: Commencement Rehearsal (kaul)
Organization: Conference & Events Planning (CEP)
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Multicultural + First Generation Graduate Reception

17 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

PAB Atrium - 1st Floor
Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10am – 12pm

Multicultural Graduations is an annual commencement celebration hosted by cultural centers on college campuses that celebrate diverse students and honor cultural traditions within an inclusive space, with a focus on student success and community support. This event is for any graduating Reedies who identify as a student of color and/or one of the first in their families to graduate from college.

During Multicultural Graduation, graduating seniors will be celebrated and be given a special stole that they can wear with their graduation regalia during commencement on Monday, May 18. We will also recognize any multicultural student clubs seniors may have been involved in as well as any faculty, staff, family members, and/or friends who have supported their journey at Reed.

Have questions? Please reach out to Jessika Chi at chij@reed.edu

Event Name: Multicultural Graduate Reception
Organization: Institutional Diversity
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Commencement Breakfast

18 May 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Gray Campus Center - Commons Dining Room
Monday, May 18, 2026, 8:30 – 11am

Graduating students and their parents, families, and friends are invited to join us for Commencement breakfast. A full menu will be available à la carte. Cash, card, and board points are accepted.

All members of the Reed community (faculty, staff, and all students) are welcome to join us as well.

Event Name: Commencement Breakfast
Organization: Conference & Events Planning (CEP)
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Commencement Ceremony

18 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Front Lawn - East
Monday, May 18, 2026, 11am – 1pm

Reed's Commencement ceremony for the class of 2026 is scheduled for Monday, May 18 at 11 a.m.

For more in-depth information, please visit the Commencement website.

Event Name: Commencement Ceremony (FL)
Organization: Conference & Events Planning (CEP)
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

All Campus Post-Commencement Reception

18 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Quad
Monday, May 18, 2026, 1 – 3pm

An all-campus reception will take place immediately following the ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 1 p.m.

For more in-depth information, please visit the Commencement website.

Event Name: Post-Commencement Reception (Quad)
Organization: Conference & Events Planning (CEP)
Categories: Public Events, Faculty Calendar, Staff Calendar, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Art Graduate Reception

18 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Art 201 - Studio Art Lecture Conference
Monday, May 18, 2026, 1 – 3pm

Join the art faculty and staff in celebrating 2026 graduates.

Event Name: Art Graduate Reception
Organization: Art
Categories: Public Events, Staff Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Philosophy Graduate Reception

18 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Gray Campus Center - Conference BC
Monday, May 18, 2026, 1 – 4pm

Join the philosophy faculty and staff in celebrating 2026 graduates.

Event Name: Philosophy Graduate Reception
Organization: Philosophy
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Anthropology Graduate Reception

18 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT

ODB - Capehart Classroom
Monday, May 18, 2026, 1:30 – 3:30pm

Join the anthropology faculty and staff in celebrating 2026 graduates..

Event Name: Anthropology Graduate Reception
Organization: Anthropology
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Economics Graduate Reception

18 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Vollum - Lounge
Monday, May 18, 2026, 1:30 – 3:30pm

Join the economics faculty and staff in celebrating 2026 graduates.

Event Name: Economics Graduate Reception
Organization: Economics
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

English Graduate Reception

18 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT

ETC West Lawn
Monday, May 18, 2026, 1:30 – 3:30pm

Join the english faculty and staff in celebrating 2026 graduates.

Event Name: English Graduate Reception
Organization: English
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Psychology Senior Awards Ceremony

18 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Psych 105 - Lecture Hall
Monday, May 18, 2026, 1:30 – 5pm

Join the psychology faculty and staff in celebrating 2026 graduates.

Event Name: PSY Senior Grad Awards Ceremony (105)
Organization: Psychology
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Sociology Graduate Reception

18 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Vollum - Lower Foyer
Monday, May 18, 2026, 1:30 – 3:30pm

Join the sociology faculty and staff in celebrating 2026 graduates.

Event Name: Sociology Graduate Reception
Organization: Sociology
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar

Performing Arts Graduate Reception

18 May 2026 21:00:00 GMT

PAB Atrium - 3rd Floor
Monday, May 18, 2026, 2 – 3pm

Join the performing arts faculty and staff in celebrating 2026 graduates.

Event Name: Performing Arts Graduate Reception
Organization: Theatre
Categories: Public Events, Student Calendar, Parents & Family Calendar