All are welcome to join the upcoming graduate Christmas networking event, “Connecting Mentors to Mentees,” on Thursday, December 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Buckley Center room 163, according Pete Rooks, Franz Center. This is an opportunity for graduate students, alumni, and friends of UP to network and connect. We are looking forward to a festive event and hope you can join us. Please register at http://tinyurl.com/mltulre. For more information contact Rooks at 8914 or rooks@up.edu.
Academics
Top Ten Ethics Bowl Finish for UP
The University of Portland recently competed in the Northwest Region’s Ethics Bowl at Seattle Pacific University. Despite facing two teams which were eventually regional semi-finalists, the UP team finished in the Top Ten for the region—an impressive achievement in the University’s first year of competition at that level.
Congratulations are in order to this year’s team members: Lisa Holm, organizational communication; Lakshmi Diener, communication studies; Elizabeth Hartley, biology; Karina Agbisit, environmental policy and ethics; and Anna Murphy, business administration and Spanish. The team was directed by Bohn Lattin and Brian Simmons, communication studies, and was assisted by Richard Askay, philosophy. For more information contact Simmons at 8025 or simmonsb@up.edu.
Paul E. Wack, 1919-2013
Physics professor emeritus Paul E. Wack passed away in the morning on Tuesday, November 19, at the age of 94. He came to The Bluff in fall of 1949 and was one of the first faculty to move into the newly-completed Engineering building (now Donald E. Shiley Hall). His contemporaries included legendary campus physics teachers Br. Godfrey Vassallo, C.S.C., and Merle Starr, namesake of a small observatory which once was located behind the Bauccio Commons.
Paul retired officially in May of 1986, but continued to teach until 1999, making him the longest-serving active faculty member in University history at 50 years. His various duties included serving as chair of the Deparment of Physical and Life Sciences from 1966 to 1973; membership on the Academic Senate from 1978 to 1983, and chairing the Rank & Tenure Committee from 1977 to 1979. He won the Culligan Award, the University’s highest faculty honor, in 1961.
Services will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Tuesday, November 26, at 11 a.m. Immediately following the service there will be a reception in the school hall. Paul is survived by his son Edwin Wack; daughters Mary Brandenburg and Ellen Wack; grandchildren Lauren Wack, Kelly, Kendall, and Bobby Brandenburg, and Paul Alan Wack; and his sister, Elizabeth Doyle (Aunt Liz). His wife of 56 years, Mary Ellen, passed away in 2009, as did his eldest son, Paul Wack Jr., in 2010. Through all of life’s trials Paul was unfailingly positive and upbeat, and a devout and humble member of the Catholic faith. Our prayers and condolences to his family and colleagues.
Pilot Accountants Going to National Finals
The University of Portland’s Competitive Pilot Accountants team has been chosen to compete in the finals round of the 2013 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Competition in Washington, D.C., on December 19-21, according to team faculty advisor Ellen Lippman, business administration. After producing a video and putting it out for public voting earlier this month, UP will join Santa Clara and Southern Indiana University in competing for first prize. For more information contact Amanda Walsh, business administration, at 7224 or walsha@up.edu.
Music for a Winter’s Evening, Dec. 3
The University of Portland Orchestra will present “Music for a Winter’s Evening” on Tuesday, December 3, at 7:30 p.m., in Buckley Center Auditorium. The concert is free and open to all. Please join orchestra members for a powerful journey of visual and aural art as they perform Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition, featuring the legend of Baba Yaga and The Great Gate of Kiev. They will also celebrate the season with Barber’s Die Natali: Chorale Preludes for Christmas and other holiday favorites. For more information contact David De Lyser, performing and fine arts, at 7382 or delyser@up.edu.
Celebrate Thirst Friday, Dec. 6
The Garaventa Center continues in providing a festive spirit by inviting all to join them for “Thirst Fridays.” All faculty and staff are invited to drop by the Center in 330 Franz Hall any time from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Friday, December 6, to enjoy wine, sparkling waters, snacks, and sparkling, convivial conversation with people from all over campus. For more information, contact Garaventa Center co-director Karen Eifler at 8014 or eifler@up.edu.
Academic Digital Futures Meetings, Dec. 2-11
Faculty members are invited to any or all of the following listening sessions about Academic Digital Futures of the University of Portland, according to Tom Greene, provost:
- Session I: Monday, Dec. 2, 5-6 p.m., Terrace Room
- Session II: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7-8 a.m., Terrace Room
- Session III: Monday, Dec. 9, 7-8 a.m., Terrace Room
- Session IV: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 5-6 p.m., Terrace Room
- Session V: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 3-4 p.m., Terrace Room.
Jim Ravelli, VP for university operations, and Tom Greene, provost, will be there, as well as chairs of sub-task forces as their schedules allow. For more information contact Kathleen Staten, provost’s office, at 7105 or staten@up.edu.
2014-2015 Bulletin Updates
Faculty and staff members who are tasked with updating their departmental and office information in the 2014-2015 University Bulletin are free to do so at any time, according to Tom Greene, provost. The Smartcatalog tool used to implement the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 bulletins can be accessed by going to the Provost section under the “Academics” menu on the main UP webpage. The link is located under “Faculty Resources” at http://tinyurl.com/ad5nzkk (“Smart Catalog (Online Bulletin) Login”) or by using this link. Access is limited to designated users who have been issued usernames and passwords. For assistance with usernames, passwords, or using the Smartcatalog tool, contact Marc Covert, marketing and communications, at 8132 or mcovert@up.edu.
Nominate For Teaching and Scholarship Awards
The Committee on Teaching and Scholarship is accepting faculty nominations for the 2013-2014 Teaching Award and Scholarship awards, according to committee chair Lauretta Frederking, College of Arts and Sciences. These awards are an opportunity for the University community to celebrate publicly two of its own for outstanding achievements in teaching and scholarship. The committee will accept nominations until noon on Friday, January 31, by e-mail to tas@up.edu. Submission of supporting materials by nominees will be due by noon on Friday, March 21. Visit the Teaching and Scholarship website for information regarding the nomination process and materials that will be needed. Contact Frederking at tas@up.edu for more information.
Faculty and Staff: Join the Luau!
The University’s Hawaii Club will host its 38th annual Luau on March 22, 2014, and organizers would like to invite UP faculty and staff members to be a part of the night’s entertainment. Hawaiian dance practices will begin the week of January 19, 2014. Faculty and staff whose schedules don’t match times or dates can contact the Hawaii Club and they will do their best to accomodate them. All those interested are asked to e-mail Tiffany Harada at harada15@up.edu. Mahalo!