University of Portland regent and longtime benefactor Amy Dundon-Berchtold passed away on Monday, March 16. A visionary real estate entrepreneur and investor, Amy, along with her husband Jim Berchtold ’63, gave generously to the University of Portland. In 2011, Amy and Jim created the Dundon-Berchtold Institute for Moral Formation and Applied Ethics, which offers classes, public events, and student-faculty research support. From the success of that endeavor, Amy and Jim provided the lead gift for the University’s first new academic building in 25 years, Dundon-Berchtold Hall. This new academic building has transformed the University of Portland campus, with classrooms, faculty offices, formal and informal gathering areas, and state-0f-the-art teaching resources.
After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree from the University of California Irvine, Amy went on to a remarkably successful 40-year career buying, selling, and renovating properties. A dedicated philanthropist, Amy Dundon-Berchtold has also contributed to other endeavors, including the Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, the University of Southern California, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, and many, many other worthy causes. Amy was elected to the University of Portland’s Board of Regents in 2013 and received an honorary doctorate from UP in 2019.
Please keep her husband Jim and their family in your thoughts and prayers.
All faculty and staff are asked to please remember that the University is uploading Coronavirus resources and FAQs at 
In light of growing concerns around Covid-19, development has made the difficult decision to postpone #PilotsGive, originally scheduled for April 1-2 , until a future date.
Following a comprehensive search, the University of Portland has named Dr. Brian Fabien as the new dean of the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering, effective July 1. Fabien joins UP from the University of Washington in Seattle, where he was most recently associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering.
Religious sisters have been part of life on The Bluff since the early days of the University, as caretakers, students, and professors. While most student-nuns enrolled in nursing and education courses, one did not, opting instead to enroll in an engineering course. The story of this nun and her interesting background is the subject of our latest post from the University Museum and Archives. 
The UP Writing Center has transitioned to an online/virtual service for as long as classes are not meeting in person. Writing assistants have completed training on using MS Teams for videoconferences, and the Writing Center Scheduler has been updated to indicate to students seeking writing assistance that their conferences will now be virtual rather than in-person. We have many open spots on our scheduler, and since students will overall have less contact with their professors and peers, a one-on-one conference with a writing assistant could be a great way for them to find support in this strange time. Please consider encouraging your students to meet virtually with a writing assistant for any writing project they have still to complete this semester. From brainstorming ideas to putting finishing touches on a paper, we can help!
As our campus community continues to navigate 
Student activities has launched the University of Portland’s Virtual Programming and Activities page for people who are looking for something to do, thanks to the efforts of Samantha Trunkett. From National Park tours to the KDUP Live Stream, there are many things that people can use to pass the time. Please use 
reduced staffing and will close daily at 5 p.m. However, AV Services staff remain available to assist you by phone (x7774), email (
The Learning Commons is now running all programs online, and student usage is up from the first week of online instruction, according to director Jeffrey White. By encouraging your students to connect with a peer tutor, you might help them to connect more deeply to learning and studying online while engaging socially with our peer tutors.