University of Portland is now ranked second out of 113 institutions listed in the “Regional Universities – West” classification – its highest ranking to date – according to U.S. News & World Report. In the 2018 and 2019 rankings, the University placed sixth in the same “Regional Universities – West” category. This ranking marks the 25th consecutive year the University has received a Top 10 ranking. The full rankings can be seen on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges website.
Among notable measures in the U.S. News & World Report methodology was the University’s 90 percent first-year retention rate and annual graduation rate of 82 percent. In addition, the University’s Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering’s reputation for excellence continues to rise. This year, the engineering program was ranked 26th nationally among engineering schools whose highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s – up from last year’s ranking of 29th nationally.
According to U.S. News & World Report, regional institutions are those that provide a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs, but few – if any – doctoral programs. The universities in this category are not ranked nationally but rather against peers in one of four regions – North, South, Midwest and West – because they tend to draw students primarily from surrounding states.
U.S. News & World Report’s methodology for this category weighs heavily on student retention rates, peer assessment and faculty resources; as well as on student selectivity, financial resources earmarked for educational purposes and the alumni giving rate.
University of Portland’s commitment to its mission of teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership has been successfully proven through its graduates. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the University of Portland ranks among the highest in the nation alongside peer institutions for the number of students and alumni earning Fulbright grants for several consecutive years.
Earlier this summer, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranked University of Portland as the top university in Oregon in an annual ranking of “Best College Values: Private Universities.” Forbes.com listed the University 18th nationally in its “The Top 25 STEM Colleges of 2018” rankings. STEM is an acronym used to identify fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The University of Portland was one of only five universities in the west to make the STEM list, and the only university in Oregon or the Pacific Northwest.
The University of Portland development office has been recognized with a 2019 CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) Educational Fundraising Award, an honor given each year to exceptional fundraising programs at educational institutions in the United States. UPN is among a select group of more than 90 colleges and universities receiving awards this year. The University is being recognized for Overall Performance, based on the judges’ blind analysis of three years of fundraising data submitted to CASE’s AMAtlas Voluntary Support of Education Survey (VSE).
University of Portland faculty and staff are invited to shop at the Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store from April 5 to 28. The Columbia employee store has discounted items marked at 40-50 percent off regular retail pricing, with all of the latest product from the Columbia Sportswear family (SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, prAna, and, of course, Columbia Sportswear).
Mark your calendar for April 3-4, noon to noon, and get ready for one of the biggest days of the year for the University of Portland! 
The development office reports that UP recently received a $700,000 grant from the E.L. Wiegand Foundation to create the E.L. Wiegand Environmental Laboratory, which will be a part of the Franz Campus Boat House.
University of Portland faculty and staff are invited to shop at the Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store from November 30 through December 24. The Columbia employee store has discounted items marked at 40-50 percent off regular retail pricing, with all of the latest product from the Columbia Sportswear family (SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, prAna, and, of course, Columbia Sportswear).
Giving Tuesday, a global day of philanthropy, is coming on November 27, and the University of Portland will take part through the #UPGives Campaign, according to Marie Jobes, development. The UP Giving Tuesday website allows people to donate to any fund of their choice, including colleges, schools, clubs, centers, teams, scholarships, and more.
For the 24th consecutive year, the University of Portland has received a top-ten ranking by U.S. News & World Report, according to its 2019 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. The University is 6th out of 127 institutions listed in the “Regional Universities – West” classification. The full rankings can be seen on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 
All UP community members are invited to bid Fr. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C., a fond farewell at a reception on Wednesday, August 8, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., in the Pilot House. A program will begin at 4:30 p.m., and refreshments, featuring a selection of summer beverages, will be provided.
Fr. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C., Vice President for University Relations, has accepted the position of Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Gerry’s last day at the University of Portland will be Friday, August 10, and he will begin his new role at Notre Dame on Monday, August 20. Bryce Strang, Senior Associate Vice President for Development, will serve as interim Vice President for University Relations while a search is conducted for Fr. Gerry’s replacement.