Shortly after his untimely death in 1989, University of Portland president Rev. Thomas C. Oddo, C.S.C., was memorialized by faculty, staff, students, and friends with the establishment of an endowed scholarship fund named after him. Every year the University awards scholarship funds in Fr. Oddo’s name to one or two students who meet a set of criteria which includes demonstrated commitment to service and to service learning. Nominations are welcome at this time for the next awards to students, and are due by March 27. A nomination form is available at http://tinyurl.com/m936kyp.
Moreau Center
Needed: Service Immersion Accompaniers
Faculty and staff who would like to walk alongside students in serving and learning from other cultures, socio-economic groups and even other countries are invited to apply for a 2015-16 service learning accompanier position. Several domestic and international opportunities are available over fall, winter, spring, and summer breaks. Accompaniers only need to cover costs for any personal items or food outside of group meals. All other food and travel costs are covered (with the exception of passports, visas and immunizations). No prior experience is necessary.
For more information contact Dave Houglum, Moreau Center, at houglum@up.edu. Deadline to apply is Thursday, April 2. Details and application can be found at up.edu/moreaucenter.
Seeking Exemplary Service Projects, Programs
The Moreau Center facilitates the University’s annual application for the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, according to Ann Shultz, Moreau Center. The Corporation for National and Community Service created the honor roll in 2006 to identify, collect, and recognize the outstanding service taking place at higher education institutions across the nation. To maintain UP’s status on the honor roll, the Moreau Center is required to submit three exemplary service projects or programs with measurable results that occurred during the period of July 1, 2013 to July 30, 2014.
Faculty and staff are asked to assist in identifying exemplary service project/programs from their areas to be included in the application. Contact Dave Houglum, Moreau Center, at houglum@up.edu or 8559 prior to March 6. A gift card for $25 in the UP bookstore will be given to anyone whose project is included in the top three. For more information contact Shultz at 7033 or shultz@up.edu.
It’s Tamale Time! Support Border Immersion Trip
The Moreau Center will offer a tamale sale in support of the Border Immersion Trip on Tuesday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 18. Vegetarian and chicken tamales will be sold at $2 each and $20 a dozen in the Bauccio Commons between 11:20 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m. on both days. Questions can be directed to border.immersion@up.edu.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, Jan. 19
All faculty, staff, and students are invited to join student activities, the diversity multicultural programs office, and the Moreau Center to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Bauccio Commons, Franz Hall lobby, and the Pilot House. Each location will offer sign-up stations for community service opportunities throughout spring 2015, free t-shirts, and other giveaways.
For more information, contact Bethany Sills, student activities, at 7470 and mulitculturalprograms@up.edu, or Lindie Burgess, Moreau Center, at 7132 or moreaucenter@up.edu.
UP Named To 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
The University of Portland has been named to the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The University is one of eight Oregon colleges that made the Honor Roll list, and this latest announcement marks the seventh time the University of Portland has made the Honor Roll since its inception in 2006 by CNCS, the federal agency for volunteering and services.
The Honor Roll annually recognizes institutions of higher education for their commitment to and achievement in community service. It is also designed to increase the public’s awareness of the contributions that colleges and their students make to local communities and the nation as a whole.
University of Portland students, faculty, and staff annually participate in community service projects – primarily through the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership – such as tutoring in local schools, supporting services for people who are homeless, contributing to community gardens, planting trees, encouraging people with disabilities, and building homes with and for low-income families. Service-learning programs are also a vital part of the Moreau Center, including social justice immersions that focus on urban policy, food justice, border and immigration issues, migrant farm workers, Native Americans, and civil rights, as well as global service learning programs in Africa and Central America.
For more information contact the Moreau Center at 7132 or moreaucenter@up.edu.
Help Needed: Community of Hope Shelter
Looking for a way to share some Christmas spirit with those in need? Community of Hope, a shelter for women and children in St. Johns, is seeking volunteers over the Christmas break to cover for some of their regular volunteers who will be traveling for the holidays. The shelter is seeking individuals who will come on an evening and share a meal with the residents, play with the children, and just provide fellowship for the incredible young women who live there.
Volunteers are needed any evening from approximately 5:30 or 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Mechanical-minded individuals are also needed to help set up and take down a portable shower trailer on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Training and background checks are required.
For more information contact Ann Shultz, Moreau Center, at shultz@up.edu. To find out more or to volunteer contact Linda Jo Devlaeminck at 503-852-1070 or lindajo@communityofhopepdx.org.
Nicaragua Immersion Silent Auction, Dec. 1-5
The Nicaragua Immersion Silent Auction and Gift Basket Raffle will take place from Monday, December 1 through Friday, December 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Bauccio Commons hallway. Proceeds of the Silent Auction & Gift Basket Drawing benefit UP students who will be going on the Nicaragua Immersion in May 2015. The students are responsible for fundraising for this valuable learning experience, and the Silent Auction is one of their largest fundraisers. Last year many departments on campus generously and imaginatively created fabulous gift baskets to be included in the silent auction. Individuals (crafters or shoppers) are encouraged to donate an item to be included in the gift basket to be raffled off to one lucky winner.
This is a great fundraiser for our entire community. We appreciate your participation. Please call or e-mail Theresa McCreary, campus ministry, at 7131 or mccreary@up.edu if you have any questions.
Moreau Center Open House: Come One, Come All, Dec. 3
The Moreau Center will be hosting a holiday open house on Wednesday, December 3, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in St. Mary’s. All are invited to stop by and learn more about the various service and leadership opportunities offered by the center. Food, drinks, and prizes will also be included.
For more information contact Theresa McCreary at 7131 or mccreary@up.edu.
L’Arche Bologna Summer Service Experience: Apply By Dec. 1
The Moreau Center will be sponsoring an eight-week summer service experience in Bologna, Italy, where students will live and work in a L’Arche community, in 2015. Founded fifty years ago in France by Jean Vanier as an ecumenical and inter-religious community with roots in the Catholic tradition, L’Arche is an international community of adults with and without disabilities living together. Since 1964, young volunteers from around the world have lived in L’Arche communities for periods of time to learn the “art of presence” and the beauty of friendship with adults with disabilities through its community life. Please encourage students who may be a good fit to apply and/or contact the Moreau Center with any questions. Applications available at up.edu/moreaucenter and are due Monday, Dec. 1, 2014. For more information contact Dave Houglum, Moreau Center, at houglum@up.edu or 8559.