Additional menu

PAMPLIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS BLOG

Sharing stories from our students, faculty, staff, and alumni...

You are here: Home / Home

TOP 2020 Highlights

2020 Highlights

As we prepare for another new year of great programming and excellent connections, we look back on the Pamplin School of Business’ highlights of 2020 to move forward into 2021.

  • International partnership with These Numbers Have Faces 
  • Certificates Launch
  • Women in Business Showcase
  • “Connect” on a new level
  • Operations & Technology Management Symposium and Department New Hire
  • Dean Anderson’s Retirement and Legacy

International partnership with These Numbers Have Faces

International edition learning Labs – these numbers have faces

 A silver lining to the no-travel limitation this past fall was our partnership with These Numbers Have Faces, an organization that educates and empowers young people in Rwanda. Our October Learning Labs became a special ‘International edition’ where we brought in Executive Director of These Numbers Have Faces, Jim Pressnell to share his background, relay the heart of These Numbers Have Faces, and provide an opportunity for students to make a difference. Our students partnered with Rwandan students and created videos on topics such as financial literacy, business innovation, goal setting, and more. Rwandan students in turn, shared their questions and perspectives. This project not only fulfilled the international experience requirement for our students, but it ignited a partnership that we hope to continue and grow each year.

Certificates Launch

The Pamplin School of Business announced that previous business concentrations have now been approved to transition into full certificate programs. This allows more flexibility for students looking to specialize in certain skills and enhance their careers. In collaboration with the School of Nursing (SON), the Pamplin School of Business and SON are making preparations to launch the “Healthcare & Analytics” certificate to be offered starting Fall 2021. All certificates can also serve as a gateway into a graduate degree program at a later time. For questions, contact: Graduate Program Director, Melissa McCarthy at mccarthy@up.edu

“Connect” on a New Level

The Pamplin School of Business has used ‘connect’ as one of our guiding principles over the last decade; we connect alumni to opportunities, students to faculty, alumni to alumni, students to professional associations, and more. 2020 gave us an opportunity to take connect to a new level during a difficult time. Programming that had been conducted in-person and on campus was transitioned onto the virtual platform.

We are proud to share that we connected with presenters and participants across the globe via Learning Labs workshops, we connected students with faculty for interactive and engaging virtual classes, we connected our students to opportunities via Info Sessions and Social hours, we connected prospective students with graduate school information, and the list continues.

In partnership with “Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Global Citizenship in Business” supported by The Collaborative on International Studies and Global Outreach, the Pamplin School of Business was able to offer the following “International Edition” Learning Labs:

Innovating during a national emergency: Mexico Vs. COVID-19 (a social entrepreneurship initiative) on May 27, 2020 – Presented by Dr. Simón Levy , appointed Undersecretary of Tourism of Mexican Government starting December 2018 until May 2019 by Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador.

Inclusive Design: A people-centered strategy for innovation on May 29, 2020 – Presented by Onny Eikhaug, President of EIDD Design for All Europe and founder of Innovation for All AS.

Good Services: Building user-centred organisations at scale on June 1, 2020 – Presented by Lou Downe, Director of Housing and Land transformation for the UK Government, based at Homes England and author of Good Services.

Women in Business Showcase

Janet Campbell ’03 (left), Anne Weaver (middle) and Lena Wittler ’03 (Right)

For the several hundred registrants that attended the Women in Business Showcase on March 11, 2020 – the date will be forever remain engrained in their minds. It became one of the last in-person events held before social-distance restrictions took effect due to the COVID pandemic.

The Pamplin School of Business was able to successfully execute this event despite uncertainties and treat attendees to a wonderful reception in coordination with the Portland Art Museum featuring vendors comprised of women-owned businesses onsite. The initial networking time was followed by a lively panel discussion led by University of Portland alumnae and Dean’s Advisory Board member (Former CMO and P&L Executive, The Standard and HP Inc.) Katherine Durham (’88).

As Emcee, Durham posed questions to a C-executive panel comprised of additional UP alumnae Janet Campbell (’98), Vice President and Chief of Staff at Cambia Health Solutions, Lena Wittler (’03), CEO of Clark Public Utilities and Anne Weaver of Elephants Delicatessen.

The program also included the formal induction of UP alumnae Carey McEldowney Wendle, (’93) into the Pamplin School of Business Hall of Fame. McEldowney-Wendle was honored for her contributions to the Portland Business community and University of Portland. A video showcase was revealed as part of this recognition.

View Hall of Fame video here

View photo gallery here

View attendee survey here

Operations & Technology Management (OTM) and Department New Hire

Operations & Technology Management (OTM) Symposium

The 5th Annual Operations & Technology Symposium presented by the Bauccio Lecture series this past October 20 through October 22, became the first “Virtual” edition in its event history. While the Symposium has become the OTM department’s flagship event offering opportunities for OTM professionals and students to connect in person – Faculty and the Executive Advisory Board were able to convert the program into a virtual format and offer timely sessions based on “Risk Management as exposed by COVID”. Additionally, what had been a one-day Symposium previously became a conference spread across three days with sub-topics that included: Risk Management 101, Risk in Cyber and Risk in the Physical Site. Successful outcomes include:

  • Total registrations – 176 (total Professionals – 101 and total Students – 75 attending)
  • Total sessions offered: 6 (three virtual sessions each day)
  • Guest Speaker Total = 16
  • Companies Represented: Intel, Adidas, Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Northwest Permanente PC, WB Games, Frito Lay, Bob’s Red Mill, Quill Security and PsioLogic LLC
  • Advertising with Portland Business, LinkedIn and Facebook digital ads, Chamber of Commerce partner postings, Eventbrite, and University of Portland communications

Featured Guest speakers included:

Robert Stratton, Northwest Permanente PC Director Enterprise Risk Program and Internal Audit/Senior Counsel; Dr. Gary Mitchell, University of Portland; Bernd Durrwachter, Principal at PsioLogic LLC; Doug Roe, Nike Director Integrated Risk; Yuri Ramirez, Intel Technical Program Manager; Eric Miller, Intel Security; Brennan O’Brien, Columbia Sportswear Director of Information Security; Lewis Werner, CEO Quill Security; Jens Hansen, Adidas Senior Director IT; Amanda Hughart, Senior Category Analyst; Erin Lawyer, Warehouse Manage Frito Lay and Dr. Min Yu, University of Portland.

OTM Department New Hire

Dr. Naga Vemprala

After a detailed faculty search, the OTM department was able to secure a new tenure-track faculty position before the end of the year. The Pamplin School of Business is excited to welcome Dr. Naga Vemprala who is completing his Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He will come to University of Portland with more than ten years of experience in the IT industry, working as a software developer and consultant for some of the biggest organizations in India and the United States. Vemprala is adept at handling big data and has expertise in using machine learning algorithms, especially for mining unstructured data. His teaching and research interests align very well with current and future offerings in our OTM program.

About the Search

Landing in a tenure-track assistant professor position at a renowned Business school is a dream for any scholar freshly graduated with a Ph.D. at hand. It is a nerve-wracking, elaborate and strenuous process, usually lasting two full days and involving more than a dozen hiring members on the search committee. However, I was fortunate to experience a pleasant hiring journey at the Pamplin School of Business (PSOB), even though the rigor of the process is no less than I had come to expect. Right from the time that I heard I was on the shortlist of candidates until the time I found out I had been selected to be the new OTM faculty member, the UP faculty, leadership, and staff provided me every opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences and made me feel confident that every aspect of my professional success was evaluated. Thanks to the excellent faculty, the process was detailed, transparent, and disciplined in every aspect. Students can be sure that such discipline is taught through practice by the faculty at PSOB.

The OTM faculty at UP is not only detailed and friendly, but also visionary. The program’s objectives are aligned with the technical needs and requirements of industry. Today, industries are witnessing a growing demand for future generations of leaders who are well versed in the use of state-of-the-art theory, methods, and technology at work. Due to increasing computing capabilities, the increasing volume of data, and the increasing complexity of business applications, there is a huge global need for talented professionals possessing the knowledge and tools provided by UP’s OTM program . To be part of such a focused team would be a dream for any doctoral candidate and now, I am living the dream and I am thankful to the Pamplin School of Business for making my dream come true. I cannot wait to be part of such a vibrant team.

~Contributed by Dr. Naga Vemprala

Dean Anderson’s Retirement and Legacy

Dean Robin Anderson

This past Spring, University of Portland President, Fr. Poorman announced the retirement of Dean Robin Anderson taking effect on June 30, 2020. Dean Anderson came to the University of Portland in 1998 as the Robert W. Franz Chair for Entrepreneurship. He created the University’s distinguished Entrepreneur Scholars Program and founded the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In 2006, he became Dean of the Pamplin School of Business. He instituted internship and international experience requirements and has expanded the School’s academic offering through the creation of new disciplines, specializations, and certificate programs. His legacy continues with the announcement of MBA certificates launching in 2021. In addition, the Entrepreneurship program continues under the direction of Kay Molkentin with additional support from the Dean’s Advisory Board, including Nick Fisher (MBA ’10), Chair of the E-Scholar committee.

New Year Virtual Sessions added!

Virtual learning labs and informational Sessions

Don’t miss your chance to start the new year off with new connections and information through our Learning Labs series and Informational sessions.

Informational sessions dive deeper into program specifics, cover scheduling and application process.

Learning Labs offer an opportunity to hone in on a particular area that you are looking to foster in your career and grow in your business. Learn how to identify problems and develop solutions for the given topics.

Network and connect with other students and professionals. Sessions open to everyone. Please join us!

January 2021

  • January 6 (12pm -1pm PST), Info series – “Want an MBA?” Learn how you can earn a significant return on investment through the most affordable and flexible AACSB-accredited MBA in Portland!
  • January 7 (3pm – 5pm PST), Learning Labs series – “Creating Measurable Outcomes for Nonprofits” instructed by Chari Smith. This learning lab will provide an overview of evaluation, and then hone in on how to create measurable outcomes collaboratively.
  • January 18 (12pm -1pm PST), Info series – “What is OTM?” Meet Pamplin School of Business’ OTM Executive Advisory Board members, faculty and OTM students to learn more

DJ Widmer named Portland Business Journals’ 2020 “Forty under 40”

dj widmer, university of portland alumni and e-scholar

DJ Widmer, Global Sales Director for ICD High Performance Coatings has been named to the 2020 “Forty Under 40 Honoree class” by Portland Business Journal. Each year the publication receives nearly 300 nominations for the region’s most influential professionals.


DJ is a University of Portland Alumni and E-Scholar who has been actively involved with the university. He is the former Chair of the Pamplin School of Business’ Deans Advisory Board and helped create the business school’s “Education Series.” A celebration on December 15 will recognize each of the 40 award winners who are shaping the future. Congratulations DJ!

Learn more at Portland Business Journal – https://bit.ly/3nJq8hQ

From Nepal to Portland

Navaraj “Raj” Lamichhane

Namaste.

My name is Navaraj “Raj” Lamichhane, and I am a volunteer Program Assistant at Gratitude Alliance, USA. I graduated from Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV) with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Professional Sales Certificate. Currently, I am pursuing an Executive MBA in Non-Profit Management at the University of Portland.

My story is about tragedy, hard work, luck, leadership, miracle, and compassion. I love to read, play guitar, swim, sing, write, travel, and connect people. From Nepal to Southwest Washington, I bring many life experiences, including working as a student senator, student ambassador, international student club president, admissions and financial services intern, energy research intern, program intern, program assistant, mathematics tutor, guitar teacher and music director at the children’s home where I grew up in Nepal. I have a passion for rural developments in renewable energy programs in electricity-strapped communities. My biggest wish is to eventually work for a clean energy company, perhaps eventually starting my own.

When I was 6 years old, I lost my mother. My father abandoned our family. Because nobody knows when I was born, I had to pick my own birthday. I picked May 4th.  May the 4th Be With You.

Though my siblings scattered to my relatives for shelter, I was lucky to go school at Bright Horizon Children’s Home School (BHCHS) – home for orphaned children in Kathmandu, Nepal. This was my first miracle. I studied hard at BHCHS for more than ten years and was accepted to high school in Kathmandu.  To earn a living and pay for school tuition, I got a job tutoring mathematics.

I always dreamed of going to school in America. I wanted to explore the world, do something important with my life, and find a way to help others.

To save for my education, I continued teaching math and music and worked as a research intern for a global nonprofit, commuting 4 hours a day to and from Kathmandu to the children’s home.  It was a challenging time, but I hoped that someday, my life would change.

Then, another miracle came into my life. With support from my generous Swiss sponsors, Birgit Krneta and Marlies Kornfeld, the founder of BHCH, I started my undergraduate degree in Kathmandu. Then, two years later, another miracle: I met Ms. Beverly, a kind, compassionate, and generous English teacher from Vancouver, Washington. Beverly taught me how to write SAT essays and tackle critical reading. With her encouragement and support, I studied hard for the exams. 

When the earthquakes hit Nepal in 2015, I feared for my life. But, I continued to study, took the TOEFL and SAT exams, applied to WSUV… and got accepted!  I was the first transfer student from my school in Kathmandu to go to an American university.

In December 2015, with my U.S. student visa, two suitcases, funding from my sponsor for one semester, and free room and board at Beverly’s house – a 10-minute walk to campus – I arrived in America. It was the happiest day of my life.

When I was hungry for school tuition support, I received campus scholarships and grants. My campus life at WSU Vancouver was very challenging financially, but I always got the support. Another miracle came into when I received the $4000 Vancouver Rotary Foundation scholarship to use toward my school at the WSU Vancouver campus, became the first student speaker at the scholarship recipient ceremony, thanked the donors, and networked with local Rotarians.

In 2018, I completed my undergrad studies, earning a 3.4 GPA while working part time on the campus. I’ve made many friends from different countries, learned many new cultures, and even got served at the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver (ASWSUV) multiple times.

Henri Moreau, the fellow Rotarian I met at the scholarship reception event, become one of my great friends and father figures, invited me to speak at the Vancouver Rotary Foundation event to share my success story. After the story sharing session, I received a standing ovation. Dr. Richard K. Green, the former Vancouver Rotary Club President, and the Salmon Creek Plastic Surgeon, saw something on me and offered to provide tuition assistance toward my graduate school studies. I picked the University of Portland for its rigorous Pamplin School of business program and decided not to leave Southwest Washington. I am finishing up graduate school this fall at the University of Portland with the support from Dr. Green and the campus scholarships, such as Presidential Hope Fund, International Student Award, and Intersectional Hope and Healing Fund.

After I graduated from the WSU Vancouver in 2018 and needed a school break, I lived with another American host family, Julie and Jeff Barclay, in Brush Prairie, Washington. I worked for a marketing firm in Beaverton, saved money for graduate school, learned to drive, and moved out when I received enough support to attend the University of Portland. I always have them on the back as a family. 

For many international students, it’s not an easy transition to college life in America. School is expensive and challenging. I could not have come this far alone. I am grateful for all the support I received from many helping hands, including friends and campus scholarships and grants. They prepared me well, and, maybe someday, I can offer a miracle to another student who has a dream to change his life, too.

I am at the University of Portland finishing up graduate studies in the fall 2020 with the dream of becoming a future social entrepreneur to help the disadvantaged people of my country. I am so happy and proud to be a Pilot. My biggest wish is to finish the graduate school, and eventually work for a clean energy company and even start my own someday. I am excited to experience what the future holds.

I hope to make the best use of all the generosity and education to educate myself and to create a better future for my family, my community, and my country.  

Written by Navaraj “Raj” Lamichhane,
MBA in Nonprofit Management 2020 Cohort

Volunteer Opportunity! Income Tax Assistance Program

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

The Volunteer Tax Assistance Program sponsored by MFS/CashOregon https://cashoregon.org/ provides UP students the opportunity to give back to their community consistent with the UP mission to “pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world.”

Students volunteer at Cash Oregon, the local organizer of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) & Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs. “VITA and TCE are IRS-sponsored programs that provide free filing assistance in underserved communities for low-to-moderate income families, the elderly, the disabled and those who speak very little English.” (irs.gov)

All UP students as well as faculty and staff are welcome to train to become volunteers. Next week Cash Oregon will be coming to speak at a virtual meeting of UP’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi (International Honor Society for Accounting, Finance, and Information System Students). We would like to extend an invitation to the entire UP community to learn more about this service opportunity during this information session next Tuesday, September 22, 2020.  

CASH OR Information Night – 9/22 – 6:00 pm – https://uportland.zoom.us/j/92258475259

Last year we had 24 student volunteers. Participants commit to volunteering 4 hours a week.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Teri Grimmer, Pamplin School of Business – grimmer@up.edu