UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

02-05-2018

Final ReadUP Discussion Group, Feb. 22

All UP faculty, staff and students are invited to discuss this year’s ReadUP selection, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, in a final discussion group facilitated by Fr. Charlie Gordon, C.S.C., on Thursday, February 22, from noon to 1 p.m., in the Library Conference Room. Philosophy professor Thompson Faller, beloved retired member of our UP community, will join the conversation to add his knowledge of medical ethics. Light refreshments will be served; participants are encouraged to bring their lunch if desired. For a complete schedule of events related to ReadUP and author Rebecca Skloot’s visit to campus, please visit up.edu/readup. Questions about the book discussion can be directed to Fr. Charlie (gordon@up.edu) or Karen Eifler (eifler@up.edu) in the Garaventa Center.

Announcing 2018 Commencement Speaker and Honorees

The University of Portland has announced the honorees to be recognized during the 2018 Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 6. Commencement I begins at 10 a.m. and is for all graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education. Commencement II starts at 2 p.m. and is held for undergraduate and graduate students of the Pamplin School of Business, the Shiley School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing.

Commencement I will feature presentation of the Christus Magister Medal to Fr. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., president of Seattle University. During his 20-year tenure, enrollment has surged, the endowment has grown significantly, and Seattle has built a new law school, a student center, and student residences. Often called the Seattle University’s “moral compass,” Fr. Sundborg is strongly committed to promoting social justice, a core value of the Jesuit Catholic education, and has led the school in addressing issues such as homelessness and the needs of underserved populations in the Seattle area.

Commencement I Honorary Doctorate Recipients:  

  • Jessica E. Jackley, an entrepreneur focused on financial inclusion, the sharing economy, and social justice. She is best known as a cofounder of Kiva, the world’s first person-to-person (p2p) micro-lending website, letting users lend as little as $25 to individual entrepreneurs, providing them affordable capital to start or expand a small business. Since its founding in October 2005 Kiva has facilitated over $1B in loans worldwide. She will also present the morning Commencement Address. 
  • Stephen M. Barr, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware, specializes in theoretical particle physics, with emphasis primarily on “grand unified theories” and the cosmology of the early universe. He also writes and lectures extensively on the relation of science and religion. In 2007, he was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Benedict XVI and was elected a member of the Academy of Catholic Theology.
  • Matthew W. Chapman ’71 served as president and chief executive officer of Northwest Evaluation Association until his retirement in October 2017. Chapman has combined business careers with a volunteer career focused on education. He co-founded New Avenues for Youth, a program for street youth in Portland that includes an award-winning alternative school, housing, health services, job training, and a drop-in center. As a regent for the University of Portland, he also serves as a mentor for students in the entrepreneurship program.

Commencement II Honorary Doctorate Recipients:

  • Hannah L. Storm, an award-winning journalist, producer, and director, is a pioneer in the field of sports broadcasting for women, a published author, and an advocate for children suffering from debilitating vascular birthmarks. The Hannah Storm Foundation, which she founded in 2008, has provided funding for critical surgeries to children from the United States, China, and the Republic of Georgia and Slovenia. The Foundation also funds the Hannah Storm Journalism Internship at Notre Dame, Storm’s alma mater, empowering the next generation to pursue their dreams in journalism and broadcasting. Storm will deliver the afternoon Commencement Address.
  • Susan B. Hassmiller is the senior adviser for nursing at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where she has led nursing strategies since 1997 in an effort to create a higher quality of care in the United States for people, families, and communities. Drawn to the Foundation’s “organizational advocacy for the less fortunate and underserved,” she is helping to assure that RWJF’s commitments in nursing have a broad and lasting national impact. In partnership with AARP, Hassmiller also directs the Foundation’s Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, which seeks to ensure that everyone in America can live a healthier life, supported by a system in which nurses are essential partners in providing care and promoting health.
  • Darlene V. Shiley is the president of The Shiley Foundation, a member of the University of Portland’s Board of Regents, and a renowned patron of the arts, medical research, and education. A resident of San Diego, Shiley’s philanthropy has benefited countless institutions, including the Old Globe Theater, the University of California San Diego (Shiley Eye Institute and Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center), the University of San Diego (Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology and Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering), Scripps Clinic (Shiley Pavilion, Shiley Center for Orthopedic Research Education: SCORE, and Shiley Musculoskeletal Center), the Salk Institute, and Public Broadcasting Service’s Masterpiece Theatre. In 2007, with her late husband, Donald P. Shiley ’51, she made a significant benefaction in support of the renovation and expansion of the Donald P. Shiley Engineering Hall at the University of Portland and subsequently made a generous gift to endow the School of Engineering, now known as the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering, in her husband’s memory.
  • Mark Edlen is a commercial real estate developer and co-founder of Gerding Edlen Development Company of Portland, one of the national leaders in green building and LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) certified properties. He is recognized for his expertise and success in creating sustainable communities in mixed-use commercial, residential, educational and retail developments. Until he retired in 2017, Edlen directed the firm’s vision and growth with the belief that the path to preserving the environment leads directly to a new urban reality, where transformative buildings and quality assets foster communities.

More information about the University’s Commencement ceremonies can be found at http://www.up.edu/commencement

Dundon-Berchtold Hall Construction Begins

Construction on Dundon-Berchtold Hall will begin on Monday, February 5, according to Jim Ravelli, university operations. This will be the first construction of a new building in the middle of campus since Franz Hall was built in 1995 and, as with any major building project in such a central location, there will be some impacts that can be minimized, but not entirely avoided. Beginning Monday, employees will begin to see an increase in activity on and around the site as contractors begin to mobilize. The main concern is the safety of everyone on campus, so please stay alert to contractor vehicles and trucks as they come and go, and be aware of these additional impacts the project will make:

Expanded fencing: One of the first activities will be the expansion of fencing around the site. Fencing will be expanded outward to include half the main road across from the Pilot House and towards Waldschmidt Hall. This will eliminate the sidewalk that extends from Shipstad to the roadway by Romanaggi Hall. The sidewalk next to Waldschmidt that runs in front of Christie will remain open for pedestrians. There will also be temporary walkways on the Shipstad side of the sequoias from Christie to the main drive.

Parking impact: Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid the loss of several parking spots as the fencing expands into the roadway along the main entrance drive. This will affect all of the parking along the construction side of the main drive from the turnaround by the Pilot House to Waldschmidt. Parking on the side of the drive adjacent to Buckley and Romanaggi will remain available.

Traffic access: Because the fence will extend into the street, the road will be limited to a one-way only lane between the turnaround by the Pilot House and the Waldschmidt parking lot.  Traffic from the Waldschmidt lot area will be required to leave campus via the Kenna Hall exit.  As construction begins, a flagger will be on site to assist drivers who are headed past the Pilot House towards Waldschmidt Hall.

“Thank you for your patience as we start on this major construction,” says Ravelli. “I know it will require some adjustment for everyone, but the end reward of a new academic hall will be worth the temporary impact. Please plan on seeing regular construction updates from me as the project progresses.”

For more information contact Ravelli at 7540 or go to www.up.edu/uo.

Outstanding Educator Award for Jacquie Van Hoomissen

Biology professor Jacquie Van Hoomissen has been selected as the Oregon Academy of Sciences (OAS) Outstanding Educator in Higher Education for 2018. She was cited for her “considerable contributions to life science education at the University of Portland.” She will be presented with the award on Saturday, March 3, at a ceremony at George Fox University.

For more information contact Ami Ahern-Rindell, biology, at ahernrin@up.edu.

Women’s Basketball Back at Home, Thursday & Saturday

The women are back in action this week as they look to score two home victories versus San Francisco and Pacific. The first game will take place this Thursday versus San Francisco. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. Come back again on Saturday as the Pilots take on Pacific at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information, go online to PortlandPilots.com/Tickets, visit the Pilots Box Office, or call (503) 943-GoUP. We hope to see you there!

The Saint John’s Bible: Did You Know?

The Saint John’s Bible is a stunning resource and a too-hidden jewel at UP. To mark the new millennium, the Benedictine monks of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville Minnesota commissioned this work—the first fully hand-calligraphed, illuminated Bible manuscript to be crafted since the invention of the printing press, which is why it’s called The Saint John’s Bible. It’s meant to be a universal and inclusive work, and to that end, features art from 16 different artists, all charged with the task of creating images in which all beholders have a chance to see themselves. A page is always on display in Clark Library, and the selection changes regularly. With the gift of all seven volumes came special training for docents at UP to learn twelve kajillion facts about them, so that classes in theology, history, the sciences and fine arts could tap the riches of this audacious work. Beth Barsotti and Karen Eifler are trained by the St. John’s community to share the volumes with anyone from the UP community, both in the classroom and as an inspiration for prayer. Contact either of those if you would like to learn more.

The “Did you know” series comes to you as an initiative of Campus Ministry and the Garventa Center, intended to broaden awareness of spiritual development opportunities on the University campus. If you are curious about anything under that broad umbrella and would like to see an answer published in UPBeat, please contact Karen Eifler (eifler@up.edu) or Fr. Jim Gallagher (gallaghe@up.edu).

 

UP Hosts National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition

The University recently hosted the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) classical competition for high school and college students from all of Oregon and Southwestern Washington, according to Nicole Hanig, performing and fine arts. UP senior Catherine Jacobs won first place in her division and then won first amongst all college students, earning her a spot in a master class alongside the Portland Opera Young Artists with international tenor Lawrence Brownlee in April, sponsored by Friends of Chamber Music.

 UP senior, Madeleine Tran won third place in her division. Both students have qualified to participate in the West coast regional competition and will have the chance to proceed to the national level. Students Tori Jacobs, Allyson Odem, McKennah Thornton, Lupita Zamora Rezendiz, Natalie Werner, and Alissa Henderson also participated.
For more information contact Hanig at x7805 or hanign@up.edu.

UPCrossroads Discussion, Feb. 14

UPCrossroads continues exploring the intersection of technology and ethics with its first discussion of the spring semester on Wednesday, February 14, at 3 p.m., in the Digital Lab. Rebecca Gaudino, theology, will lead a conversation about “Using Technology for a More Human Classroom.”  She will explain her personal philosophy concerning holistic and active learning and will then share some strategies and tech tools that help her students succeed as learners while creating community within the classroom. Gaudino was a recent guest on the UPTechtalk podcast. You can listen to a preview of her UPCrossroads talk here.

Palanca for Encounter With Christ Students, Please

During the February Encounter with Christ (EWC) Retreat, 48 students will be attending along with 26 student leaders from February 9-11. Would you consider writing a note (palanca) to the students you know on the list? This is an opportunity to encourage students and express appreciation for them outside the classroom. Each retreatant will receive an envelope of surprise palanca. Please do not discuss this concept with students to keep it a surprise.

A list of those going on the retreat, along with their majors can be found at this link. Please submit your palanca to the Campus Ministry office in St. Mary’s. Mark your envelope with “EWC Retreat—(student’s name)” and bring it by Thursday, February 8.

Please forward any questions to Beth Barsotti (barsotti@up.edu; x7463). Thank you for your assistance.

 

Hey, UP Parents! Need a Night Out?

University parents are invited to take the opportunity to enjoy four hours of free time with their significant others while the UP onsite daycare watches their children on Parents Night Out, Friday, February 9, from 6-10 p.m. This service is provided by Vermont Hills Family Life Center daycare/preschool. The cost is $40 for one child or $50 for two kids or more, and includes dinner for the little ones.

Parents Night Out typically takes place during the academic year on the first Friday of each month, and is not limited to children already enrolled in UP daycare. For more information or to sign your kids up, contact Desiree Moan, director, at (503) 283-9688 or desireem@vhflc.com.