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After 50 Years, Thompson Faller says Goodbye

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FROM THE BEACON

By Rebekah Markillie|

000118081Philosophy professor Thom Faller, UP’s longest full-time employee, didn’t plan on teaching for more than “a couple years.”

In fact, Faller never planned on teaching at all.

He had originally planned on going to law school, but his adviser suggested teaching.

“He told me he thought I’d make a good teacher, and (asked) if I had considered that,” Faller said. “I thought well, you know what, I can stand to spend a couple years, because I had never lived on the West Coast, (and) move here and teach for a few years and then go to law school.”

He’s been teaching at UP ever since. [Read more…] about After 50 Years, Thompson Faller says Goodbye

UP Fulbright winners top nation . . . Again!

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University of Portland has been named the top producer of Fulbright scholars in the nation among “master’s universities” for the third consecutive year, according to a study released today by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The University had six alumni win the prestigious grants to work and study abroad for 2012-13.

Three of the Fulbrights won by UP alumni for 2012-13 are for English teaching positions in Germany, while the others are for graduate studies in the United Kingdom, research in India, and English teaching in Spain.

The University has been a leader among its peer institutions in producing Fulbright scholars for several years, also ranking first nationally in 2011-12, 2010-11 and 2007-08 and second nationally in 2006-07, 2008-09 and 2009-10. Since 2001, students from University of Portland have earned 40 Fulbright grants. [Read more…] about UP Fulbright winners top nation . . . Again!

Class of 2013 Day of Service

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The entire University of Portland freshmen class will volunteer on Saturday, Aug. 31 as part of the University’s “Building Community: Serving to Learn” program. All 830 students from the class of 2017 will participate in a daylong program, which marks their first full weekend as University of Portland students. The freshmen will be joined by current students, faculty, and staff, sending more than 1,000 UP volunteers into the community.

University of Portland began “Building Community: Serving to Learn” in 2005 as a way to unite all of its first-year students in a day of service. The service program aims to build community among new students in a non-traditional setting and to teach practices of sustainability and service in the surrounding area.

The students will be divided into smaller groups, and they will volunteer at 19 different sites throughout the Portland area, including Arbor Lodge, Baltimore Woods, Burnt Bridge Creek, Forest Park, Frenchman’s Bar, George Middle School, John’s Garden, Rebuilding Center, Roosevelt High School, Sauvie Island (Howell), Sitton, SLUG Garden, Terwilliger Parkway, Tyron Creek, Tyron State Park, University Park Baptist Church, Water Center, University of Portland Waterfront Property, and Fruits of Diversity Community Orchard.

The day of service will conclude with the class of 2017 gathering to reflect. The students will also hear from UP alumna Andriana Alexis ’13.

The program is organized by the University’s Shepard Freshman Resource Center and the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership. For more information, contact the Shepard Freshman Resource Center at (503) 943-7895.

Message From the CAS Dean, Summer 2013

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CAS Dean Michael Andrews

Dear Friends and Alumni of the College,

As commencement festivities for the Class of 2013 draw to a close, we are all reminded of the cycle of endings and beginnings that mark the academic year.  Students have left for home or work or travel; faculty have fled after completing their task of grading papers and submitting final grades; even administrators are hard to find as classrooms get cleaned, offices get painted, and the new library renovation moves into its final phase.
Please enjoy reading about some of the highlights of the past Spring Semester here in the College.  My wishes that this summer is a time of blessing and enjoyment for you and your family, whether you are staying close to home or traveling to an exotic far-away land.  Summer reminds us that the earth is filled with God’s abundant grace.  There are a number of important gatherings on campus this summer, from conferences to alumni reunions to concerts and plays. I hope you will have a chance to visit the Bluff sometime over the summer.  In any event, I wish you and your family God’s blessings in anticipation of the great feasts of Memorial Day and Independence Day.  I pray that this summer be a time of joy and reflection of the earth’s good gifts and God’s abundant love in your life.

Academic Year 2013 Concludes

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The College of Arts and Sciences celebrated the conclusion of the 2012-13 academic year with graduation ceremonies on Sunday, May 5 in the Chiles Center.  We wish a hearty congratulations to the Class of 2013!

CAS NEWS encourages you to browse through the news of the past year by examining the stories listed above under Highlights.  You may also wish to check out any of the other categories, as your interests may lead you.  You can search based on Department, Category, or time of the year.

CAS NEWS will be on hiatus for the summer, and will return in September!

Elise Moentmann appointed CAS Associate Dean for Students

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University of Portland’s College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Elise Moentmann as associate dean for students, effective July 1, 2013.  Dr. Moentmann is associate professor of History and has been teaching at UP since August 1998.  She has served as Chair of the Department of History since Fall 2009 and teaches courses covering Europe broadly from 1600 as well as more focused studies of modern France, East Asia, especially Japan, and global urban history.

Moentmann holds the Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Arts (History) degrees from Louisiana Tech University. She received her Ph.D. in Modern European History from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1998.  Her research and scholarship examine the relationship between national identity and cultural production (especially cinema and theater) in interwar Alsace and Moselle.

Moentmann has served as director of the Summer Salzburg Session, Chair of the Committee on Committees, member of the Academic Senate and the Senate Executive Committee, member of the CAS Curriculum Committee, and Faculty Advisor to the Phi Alpha Theta National Honors Society in History since 2000.  She brings academic excellence, creative leadership, and a strong commitment to formation of the whole person, as exemplified by the Holy Cross mission to educate head, heart, and hands.  Moentmann will succeed Dr. James Stemler, interim associate dean for students, who returned to his former position from retirement for Academic Year 2012-13.

 

Students visit Edelman PR

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Seven students from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Pamplin School of Business visited Edelman PR firm on Friday, April 19th in downtown Portland.  A panel of Edelman public relations professionals shared insights about the agency (voted the #1 privately held PR firm and one of the 100 best companies to work for in Oregon), the different facets of today’s public relations industry as well as qualities that make a great intern.  Students also learned that one of the major benefits of working in a smaller big agency office is greater diversification in experience!

Students (left to right): Matthew Langer, Christina Tenorio, Nastacia Voisin, Julia Kennedy, Bruce Garlinghouse, Gilbert Resendez, Caroline Lai

This visit was arranged by UP’s Career Services in partnership with Communication Studies, English and the Pamplin School of Business.

CAS students wins Singing Awards

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Freshman winner, Lydia Blaine and Junior honorable mention, Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas with their teachers Assistant Professor, Nicole Leupp Hanig and Adjunct Professor, Wade Baker.

On Saturday, April 13, thirteen voice students from the University of Portland participated in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Festival Competition for Classical Singers from Oregon and Southwest Washington.  The competition was held in Corvallis, Oregon.  Freshman, Lydia Blaine (student of Assistant Professor Nicole Leupp Hanig), won first place in her division.  Junior, Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas (student of Adjunct Professor Wade Baker) received honorable mention in his category.

In addition, Asst. Professor, Nicole Leupp Hanig was recently elected to the Board of the Cascade Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing which covers Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Peer Review Workshop Coming Soon

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Looking for ways to cut some of the work involved in grading student papers? The Writing Center and Teaching & Learning Collaborative are hosting a workshop on that very topic April 17, 4-5 pm in Shiley 319. Click here to see a 90-second overview of this session. Questions? Lars E. Larson (larson@up.edu) or Karen Eifler (eifler@up.edu).