Jim Lyons, vice president of University relations, has announced his resignation. Jim and his family will be relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area where Jim will assume the role of vice president for university relations at Santa Clara University beginning in October.
Jim has served with distinction on the Bluff since 1998 when he began his service here as dean of admissions. During the years Jim led admissions, applications more than tripled and, as a result, the quantity and quality of each incoming freshman class has risen. In 2005, Jim was appointed senior associate vice president of University relations and in 2008, he was named vice president. In this capacity Jim has been responsible for the Offices of Alumni Relations, University Events, Marketing & Communications, and Development, including the University’s $175 million Rise Campaign, the most significant fundraising campaign in the University’s 111-year history. To date more than $162 million has been raised. In addition, through his guidance and leadership in the marketing arena, the profile of the University has never been higher. Jim was the recipient of the Miltner Award, the University’s most prestigious staff award, in 2006. Jim has also been very active in the community through board leadership for Seton Catholic High School, Catholic Charities of Oregon, and Saturday Academy as well as service on Our Lady of Lourdes Finance Council and volunteer youth coaching with Catholic Youth Organization.
Jim and his wife, Connie, and their four sons have added much to the fabric of the UP community.
Fr. Beauchamp has appointed Laurie Kelley, currently associate vice president of University relations and chief marketing officer, to serve as interim vice president of University relations upon Jim’s departure. Laurie has served here on The Bluff since October 2006. Laurie and her team have shepherded the UP brand to new heights. In addition to marketing, Laurie has directed many of the University’s signature events including Focus the Nation, the Rise Campaign launch, the State of UP, the Pamplin School of Business’ 75th Anniversary, the School of Nursing’s 75th Anniversary and last year’s Rise for Scholarships Event, which raised over $1.3 million for scholarships. In her new position, Kelley will oversee the Offices of Alumni Relations, Development, Marketing & Communications, and University Events. Prior to coming to UP, she was the vice president of marketing & planning at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).
Laurie and her husband Mike have four children. She has served on the boards of directors of the Blanchet House, Children’s Cancer Association and served as a national commissioner for CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education). She currently serves on the board of Jesuit High School and Notre Dame Women Connect. She holds an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA, both from the University of Notre Dame.
Please congratulate Laurie on her new position and thank Jim Lyons for his years of dedication and service to the University of Portland. For more information contact the president’s office at 7101 or simek@up.edu.