William Atkinson joined the Office of Residence Life in March as Associate Director for Housing Operations. William is from Philadelphia and has worked in residence life for over a decade. He was previously the Interim Director of Residence Life at Manhattan College, a Catholic institution in NYC. Before that, he served in roles there including Assistant Director for Housing Operations, Area Coordinator, and Resident Director. William earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from La Salle University, a master’s degree in education from Saint Joseph’s University, and an MBA from Manhattan College.
Issues
New to The Bluff—Rebecca Tangman, Housing Coordinator, Office of Residence Life
Rebecca Tangman joined the Office of Residence Life in February as Housing Coordinator, after moving to Portland from the Bay Area, CA with her family. Rebecca received her BS in Human Services and Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University. Bringing with her experience in housing, teaching, and non-profit work, Rebecca is committed to ensuring the success of every student residing here at UP. Rebecca enjoys exploring Portland with her two young children, trying most every pastry she comes across, and staying active by walking everywhere she can.
Reading Event with Kesha Ajose-Fisher (Apr. 2)
Portland fiction writer Kesha Ajose-Fisher will visit our campus for a public reading Tuesday April 2 from 5-6 p.m. in the UP Bookstore.
Her collection of short stories No God Like the Mother won the 2020 Oregon Book Award, and the book has recently been reprinted in a beautiful edition by Forest Avenue Press. Ajose-Fisher—who was raised in Lagos, Nigeria and has been part of the Portland literary scene in recent years—has much to share about what went into these vivid stories of hope, longing, language, and thriving in our troubled global world.
For details contact larson@up.edu
Reading and Book Signing: “Black Women Navigating the Doctoral Journey” with Bridget Tuner Kelly, PhD. (Apr. 4)
Join us for a special book signing event with UP’s First Lady, Bridget Turner Kelly, PhD, on April 4, at 5:30 p.m. at the Campus Bookstore. Kelly will read selections from her new edited volume Black Women Navigating the Doctoral Journey.
UP community members receive 10% off their purchase!
Did You Miss Ross Gay’s Public Reading? (Apr. 5)
If you missed Ross Gay’s exuberant reading of his poems and essays at the March Schoenfeldt Lecture, or would like to re-savor that gripping evening, this video link of the event is available to the UP community until April 5.
You will need your UP username and password to gain access, but holy moly will it be worth it!
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Information Sessions (Apr. 5)
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program will host an in-person information session on Friday, April 5 at Portland State University at 1:00 p.m. and will offer a series of country- and program-specific online information sessions throughout the Spring and Summer.
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers hundreds of awards each year to teach, research, and conduct professional projects internationally. University faculty members and administrators, as well as professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, lawyers, and independent scholars, are all eligible to apply. Awards vary in duration from two weeks to a year for some research and teaching placements.
For full details about the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, including eligibility and available awards, visit the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program website.
Register for the in-person event at Portland State University on Friday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m.
For a list of upcoming online information sessions visit the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Webinar website. For further information about applying for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, contact the UP Fulbright Scholar liaisons Andrew Guest at guesta@up.edu or Nick McRee at mcree@up.edu.
Inaugural Founder’s Forum (Apr. 9)
The Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation is excited to introduce Founder’s Forum. The Founder’s Forum was created in recognition of University of Portland’s Founder’s Day, a tradition that celebrates its bold leaders and the promising work of its current students. This event aims to bring together dynamic alumni to spotlight their entrepreneurial journeys—from their experiences while on the Bluff to their experiences launching their own successful businesses.
Join us for our inaugural talk with athlete and entrepreneur Rachael Rapinoe ’08, followed with a networking reception. This is a story you won’t want to miss!
BDB Auditorium, April 9 from 6-9 p.m.
- 6-7 p.m. – Talk (Featuring Rachael Rapinoe and Moderator)
- 7-8 p.m. – Networking Reception (Includes Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments)
This event is FREE, but registration is required.
UP Theater Presents: The Prom (Apr. 11-21)
Join your friends at UP Theater for the hit musical The Prom! This funny and heartwarming production follows Emma, an Indiana high schooler barred from bringing her girlfriend to the prom. Four Broadway actors pledge to help bring justice to Emma (and a little publicity to themselves). With her new Broadway friends, Emma is reluctantly made a courageous rallying force for LGBTQ youth, bringing together her classmates and the whole town to discover that love is what unites them all.
Celebrate in style! Dress to the nines and wear your prom best to the Prom. Patrons attending The Prom can take their own prom pics at our selfie station and use the hashtag #UPTheaterProm to be included in the daily contest to be crowned Prom Royalty for that performance! Winners will be announced via the PFA Instagram the next day!
Performances are April 11-13 and 17-20 at 7:30pm and April 14 and 21 at 2:00pm in the Mago Hunt Theater.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students.
We invite our queer community and allies to join us on Thursday, April 18, for Pride Night!
Faculty and staff are eligible for half-price tickets with the promo code HALF4FACSTAFF and students are eligible for free student rush tickets on Wednesday, April 17 starting at 7:00 at the Box Office window.
Go to up.edu/theater for more information. The Prom is presented through special arrangement, with all authorized performance materials supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide: 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com
Pre-Play Reception and Panel for The Prom (Apr. 13 & 20)
All show ticket holders for The Prom are invited to enjoy a complimentary small bites and wine reception as campus experts highlight what to look and listen for, courtesy of the Garaventa Center.
Saturdays, April 13 & 20, Mago Hunt Center.
Reception at 6:15 p.m., Pre-Play Panel at 6:45 p.m., Show at 7:30 p.m.
Info: up.edu/garaventa or 503-943-7702. ADA compliant event.
In Recognition of Our Retiring Faculty (Apr. 17)
The following faculty members have announced their retirement at the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester, according to Kathleen Staten, provost’s office:
- James Baillie, PhD, Tyson Distinguished Professor, Department of Philosophy
- Lori Chorpenning, RN, MS, Senior Instructor, School of Nursing & Health Innovations
- Karen Eifler, PhD, Professor, School of Education, Director of The Garaventa Center
- Rebecca Gaudino, PhD, Mdiv, Senior Lecturer, Department of Theology
- Sally Hood, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Education
- Bohn Lattin, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Media
- Ellen Lippman, PhD, Professor, Pamplin School of Business
- Kay Molkentin, MBA, Professor of Practice of Entrepreneurship, Pamplin School of Business
- Debra Stephens, PhD, Associate Professor, Pamplin School of Business
- Ed Valente, PhD, Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Jacqueline Waggoner, EdD, Professor, School of Education
- Valerie Walters, PhD, Senior Instructor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Bruce Weitzel, PhD, Associate Dean, Associate Professor, School of Education
A ceremony and reception for all 2024 retirees will take place on Wednesday, April 17, at 3:30 p.m., in the Bauccio Commons Board Room.
For more information contact Staten at x7105 or staten@up.edu