Through an exhibit in the Dr. James T. Covert Gallery, the Clark Library is celebrating a century of alma maters and school anthems—home-grown, lovingly crafted by UP students and faculty, and performed by University bands and choral groups throughout these many years. The gallery space is on the main floor of the library. Curious to hear them? Visit the Digital Collection or scan the QR codes on gallery labels to enjoy recordings made in 2016. The exhibit runs until Spring Break. Questions? Contact libraryevents@up.edu.
01-23-2023
Elise Moentmann Receives Spirit of Holy Cross Award
The Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province has honored Interim Provost Elise Moentmann for her service as a lay collaborator in the University of Portland community with a 2023 Spirit of Holy Cross Award.
The award is given annually to lay collaborators for the critical role they play to “make God known, loved, and served” through the Congregation’s education, parish and mission settings. The Congregation of Holy Cross honored nine award recipients this month in regions across the United States and three continents.
“I am thrilled that my dear friend and colleague is receiving the Spirit of Holy Cross Award,” said University of Portland President Robert D. Kelly. “Stated simply, Elise embodies all that we cherish as a Catholic, Holy Cross institution. She is endlessly devoted to student well-being and success; she views faith and reason as our God-given tools for discovering truth; and she approaches all that she does with zeal, hope and good humor.”
Since 2018, Moentmann has served as UP’s Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. In December, President Kelly tapped Moentmann to serve as Interim Provost, filling that key role as Herbert A. Medina returned to teaching and scholarship in UP’s Department of Mathematics.
A widely respected University of Portland leader since joining the Department of History in 1998, Moentmann came to the Provost’s office after serving as Associate Dean for Students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her prior roles include Chair of the Department of History and Director of UP’s Summer Salzburg Program.
Moentmann has proven her commitment to the Holy Cross vision of Catholic education as an advocate for mission-fit hiring. The Spirit of Holy Cross award recognizes her leadership across campus — including work on Title IX initiatives, the UP Care Team, and as co-chair of institution’s COVID-19 Steering Committee.
“She is an extraordinary lay collaborator to the priests and brothers of Holy Cross with whom we labor on The Bluff, and she is a remarkable witness to her Christian faith,” Kelly said. “Elise is wonderfully deserving of this honor, and I offer her my deepest congratulations.”
“I am incredibly honored to receive the Spirit of Holy Cross Award,” Moentmann said. “It embodies my own vision of teaching that moves beyond the classroom to accompany students along their journey of discernment while at UP to find not only a job, but a sense of purpose for both their professional and personal lives that reflects their values and a desire to serve others.”
New to The Bluff: Greg Naleski, Vice President for University Relations
Greg is an accomplished leader in fundraising and advancement for Catholic and educational institutions. Most recently, Greg was working as an Associate Vice-President for Advancement with The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He views university relations work as essential to ensuring that students, staff, and faculty have the resources they need to thrive and advance UP’s Catholic Holy Cross mission. Along with the teams he will lead in Development, University Events, and Alumni & Parent Relations, we look forward to Greg doing great things in service of our institution.
UP Shamrock Run Team 2023: Get Fit in the New Year and Run or Walk for a Cause!
The Portland Shamrock Run is one of the city’s largest events and the University of Portland team is back again this year for the event on Sunday, March 12. Participants can sign up for any distance (5k, 8k, 15k and Half-Marathon runs, as well as the 4k Stride and 1k Leprechaun Lap for kiddos). The team member registration deadline is January 31.
To sign up, go to this link [https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=80963934].The `Join a Team’ option is near the T-shirt selection stage of registration; search for and select `University of Portland’. Save on registration for a limited time with the code: TEAMS2022.
For more information, contact the team captain, Hans Nordstrom, nordstro@up.edu.
Just in Time Leadership: Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being (Feb. 22)
At times when our workplaces feel like they are in constant flux, how can leaders create clarity and opportunities for growth for themselves and those around them? How can leaders convey (and feel) that their work matters? Please join the Leadership Program in the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation on Wednesday, February 22, from 12 p.m.–1 p.m. in the Dundon-Berchtold Institute’s conference room for a casual, just-in-time, conversation about two of the five essential pillars of “Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being,” recently released by the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy.
Participants are encouraged to read Dr. Murthy’s report before the conversation to be able to engage, wrestle with, and explore multiple perspectives concerning this topic. Our conversation last month focused on Essential #4: Mattering at Work. Our conversation on February 22 will focus on Essential #5: Opportunities for Growth. The conversation will be facilitated by Jacquie Van Hoomissen and Hannah Highlander.
To participate in this conversation, please RSVP by Friday, February 17, by 5 p.m. at this link.
Space is limited to 15 participants and refreshments will be provided. Feel free to bring your own lunch (lunch is not provided). For further information, please contact the Director of Leadership & Leadership Professor of Practice, Dave Houglum, at houglum@up.edu.
Inclement Weather Reminders
It’s that time of the year again, the weather outside is cold and every few weeks all of the weather apps hint at snow on the horizon. Please see the below updates from Facilities Services and Campus Safety:
- Snow Clearing: The Grounds Crew is well prepared for inclement weather. Please see most updated snow clearing routes here. Additionally, ice-melt has been delivered to certain buildings on campus for occupant use in our absence. We will prioritize campus residents and essential services.
- Driving tips: Please plan to leave 15 minutes early to allow for the following:
- Please clear any snow or ice from your vehicle before driving. These can shift and become hazards to yourself or others on the road.
- Please defrost your windows to ensure full visibility.
- Drive slowly and watch for others on the road.
- Abandoned Vehicles: If you must abandon your vehicle in a campus roadway…or planter bed, please notify Campus Safety @ 503-943-7161.
- Long-Term Parking: If you are parking your vehicle on campus ahead of inclement weather, please consider parking in the rows nearest the edges of the lot (Library or Merlo respectively). This will make it easier for our teams to plow and clear the main lot.
- ADA Operators: Please limit ADA door operator use to those who need it. This feature is programmed to keep doors open longer than usual. Unnecessary use of ADA door operators contributes to energy waste, security risk, and wear & tear on the equipment.
- Windows: For the sake of our HVAC systems, security, and energy management, we prefer windows to remain closed. However, we understand spaces may need a little extra air in which case please be sure to close windows when you vacate a space! This also helps prevent water intrusion calls, which are often simply open windows.
- As always, check the University website for updates!