We are sadden to see three of our beloved faculty members retire at the end of this academic year. Drs. Ray Bard, Ken Kleszynski, and Elayne Shapiro will be greatly missed around campus by students, staff, and fellow faculty members. The following are reflections and some parting words of wisdom from our retiring faculty: [Read more…] about Three CAS Faculty Members Retiring This Year
New Duties For Fr. Art Wheeler
Rev. Art Wheeler, C.S.C., has indicated to the provost that he would like to return to the history faculty on a full-time basis beginning with the 2015 fall semester. He currently serves as assistant to the provost and director of the Studies Abroad Program
In his 20 years as study abroad director, Fr. Art has been relentless about adding programs and encouraging students to study abroad, and now about one-third of UP students have studied abroad at some point in their academic programs. He has also served as associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and was a long serving chair of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Athletics. Father Art has consistently taught classes while serving in administrative roles. He won the Culligan Award, the highest award for faculty at the University of Portland, in 2005, and was recognized with the Dean’s Award for Leadership in 2012. He is a well-known advocate for students and his counseling and advising services have been influential in students’ lives for many years.
–Story from UPbeat
Brennan Hogan: Physical Therapy School Preparation
Written By Danell Burke class of 2016
Working in the UP athletic department and helping with their sports medicine, as well as shadowing physical therapist have played a role in preparing senior pre-physical therapy student, Brennan Hogan, for his future career. As he now focuses on applying to graduate school, this wide variety of experiences already places Hogan a step ahead of many of his peers.
Although Hogan initially experiences physical therapy from a patient perspective in high school after requiring therapy for an injury, Hogan became passionate later on in college by volunteering in clinics.
“There is so much to do in physical therapy. Every day is a new challenge and you are constantly trying to help people rehab to meet their goals while personally interacting with them,” says Hogan.
Having the opportunity to shadow physical therapists has provided Hogan both the chance to ask questions about a career in physical therapy and discuss different techniques. It has also allowed him to see a variety of PT settings, which has given him “an idea of the different directions [his] career could go once [he graduates from PT school.”
Recently Hogan invited the geriatric, sport therapy, and woman’s health physical therapists he shadows to come speak about their careers and specialties at UP, providing a wide range of the different options that once can take within the profession.
For now, Hogan awaits a response from a number of graduate schools, with Creighton being his top choice.
“I love their emphasis on clinical hours along with their opportunities of where the clinical rotations can be done along with their commitment to get their students employed within six months of graduation,” says Hogan.
English Major Cassie Sheridan Wins National Journalism Award
UP student Cassie Sheridan [English major, class of 2015] won a national award for an interactive digital timeline she designed for The Beacon last spring, titled “History of Women at UP”, according to Nancy Copic, student activities. Sheridan won Second Place in the category of “Interactive Graphic for Digital Media” in the Gold Circle Awards sponsored by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, based at the Columbia University School of Journalism in New York.
While The Beacon has won several national awards in recent years, this is the first national award the paper has won for digital media. The blog College Media Matters also named the timeline one of the “Seven Standout Student Press Stories.” For more information contact Copic at 7470 or copic@up.edu.
–Story from UPbeat
Mock Trial Team Heading to National Tournament
The University of Portland Mock Trial Team took two squads to the Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament in Boise, Idaho, over the weekend of February 7-8. Out of 19 teams competing, UP placed second with a 6-2 record, and placed ninth (top honorable mention) with a 4-4 record, according to coach Aaron Johnson, political science. The team’s second place finish ensures a spot at the Opening Round National Championship tournament scheduled to be held in Chicago, Illinois, on March 20-22.
The UP team also brought home four individual awards: Nicolas Barradas, senior and captain (pictured), was awarded the top attorney award at the tournament with a perfect score. Freshman Jacque Nelson received an outstanding attorney award, and freshman Ariana Ebesu took home an award for top witness with a perfect score, and freshman Kathryn Murdock also received an outstanding witness award.
Team members are Nic Barradas, Emma England, Mackenna Krohn, London Ballard, Triton Pitassi, Emily Strand, Kathryn Murdock, Katherine Miller, Edward Richter, Jacque Nelson, Natalie Hagen, Ethan McBride, Will Gunnels, Ariana Ebesu, and Chastin Kekahuna. Assistant coaches are Kathya Acuna and Jeremiah Swisher.
–Story from UPbeat
Biology, Spanish, & Env. Ethics Internships
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the opportunity to complete an internship to count towards fulfilling academic credit. Here are some CAS student experiences:
Jillian Smith
Major: Biology
Her Internship: Dentistry Shadow
How She Found Her Internship: She was referred to the position by a UP Alumni who is currently attending dental school.
Her Experience As A Student Intern: Through this internship experience there are numerous new skills and knowledge that Jillian acquired. She feels she could have learned a lot more if she would have shadowed other specialty offices that were in the same building as the office she interned at.
What Has This Experience Taught Her: About a year and a half ago Jillian had some reservations about whether or not she wanted to pursue an education in dentistry. This internship and work done through the summer with this company were definitely large factors that helped solidify her decision to become a dentist. One way that she has changed as a result of this experience is that she is not only interested in dentistry as a career but she has also become interested in the different research aspects pertaining to the field of dentistry.
Kim Turner
Major: Secondary Education & Spanish
Her Internship: Spanish Teaching Assistant
How She Found Her Internship: Through expressing interest in sitting in on classes in order to maintain her Spanish and observe effective and overall excellent professors to gain an insight for the field of teaching. Dr. Regan and Dr. Warshawsky not only let her sit in on classes, but helped her set up an internship where she was involved and taught parts of Spanish classes here at the University of Portland. Her responsibilities include designing lesson plans and activities and being involved in constant dialogue with the professors about teaching decisions and techniques.
Her Experience As A Student Intern: Kim’s biggest challenge was becoming comfortable transitioning into a teaching role while being surrounded by her peers. On the other hand, the internship has provided her with an accepting space where she could receive consistent feedback and encouragement, and have the constant support of the professors she worked with. The best part of the experience for her has been developing connections with the professors and students she has had the opportunity to work with during this experience.
What Has This Experience Taught Her: Although explaining concepts in Spanish at a university level was challenging for Kim, it cemented her understanding of the concepts that she taught and has given her invaluable experience for teaching Spanish at many different levels. She has also been able to build on her knowledge of teaching techniques and philosophy. After she graduates she will use the skills she has learned through completing this internship and use them as a language teacher
Kyle Corso
Major: Environmental Ethics and Policy
His Internship: Working in Congressman Blumenaur’s office
How He Found His Internship: Kyle found out about his internship through an email sent out to Environmental Studies students by Dr. Kolmes.
His Experience As A Student Intern: Kyle developed more professional skills during this internship. He also learned a great amount about the political landscape in Oregon. The only way he could have made this experience more valuable is by putting himself “out there” more and getting more involved with office meetings and such.
What Has This Experience Taught Him: Working in Congressman Blumenauer’s office has given Kyle the opportunity to learn about the different dynamics of politics, including relationships with constituents, co-workers, and the members of various organizations in both the Portland area and nationally. This internship has also influenced him to potentially pursue a career in politics.
Newly Tenured & Promoted Faculty Members
Congratulations to the following CAS faculty members who were recently notified of tenure and promotion to associate professor, effective July 1, 2015:
 |
Hannah Callender, Mathematics |
 |
David De Lyser, Performing & Fine Arts |
 |
Vail Fletcher, Communication Studies |
 |
Alexandra Hill, International Languages & Cultures |
 |
Valerie Peterson, Mathematics |
 |
Bryan Rookey, Sociology & Social Work |
Nov. 20, 7:00 p.m; Unexpected Careers
Majoring (or thinking about majoring) in Communication? Beginning to explore the numerous career possibilities in Communication Studies? Come to Lambda Pi Eta’s “Unexpected Careers” event in BC 314 on Thursday November 20th at 7pm to hear from those who have been in your shoes! Join a panel of professionals to learn about their experiences as they transitioned from studying Communication to pursing jobs in a variety of fields as diverse as Broadcast Journalism, Marketing, Photography, Interior Design, Multicultural Coordinator, and more. Cookies and Cocoa will be provided! For ADA accommodations or any questions please contact Alexa Dare at dare@up.edu.
Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m; UP Orchestra Concert
The University of Portland Orchestra will present “Airs, Fantasies and Diamonds: An evening of Symphonic String Music” on Saturday, November 22, at 7:30 p.m., in Buckley Center Auditorium. The concert is free and open to all.
As a prelude to their January 2015 tour, the orchestra will present an evening of varied music written for string orchestra. Selections will include Karl Jenkins “Palladio,” a portion of which was made famous in DeBeers diamond commercials; selections from Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances,” Alan Hovhannes’ “Celestial Fantasy,” Eric Whitacre’s “October,” and Johann Stamitz’s “Mannheim Symphony.”
For more information contact performing and fine arts at 7228 or pfa@up.edu.
Rebecca Tabor & Yuri Hernandez Win Scholarships Through Phi Alpha
Rebecca Tabor and Yuri Hernandez have recently won competitive national scholarships through the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society. Two of the three students chosen from a national pool for the Patty Gibbs Wahlberg Scholarship — based on students’ service, scholarship, and leadership — are from the University of Portland.
Rebecca will be speaking to an audience of students at the national meeting of the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors; and Yuri won third place with a cash prize. Congratulations to both Rebecca and Yuri — as well as to their excellent CAS / Social Work faculty who helped mentor them along the way.