University of Portland president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., announced a $15 million commitment from board of regents member Amy Dundon-Berchtold and Jim Berchtold ’63. The donation will fund the Dundon-Berchtold Institute for Moral Formation and Applied Ethics and serve as a lead gift towards the construction of a new academic center which will be the future home of the Dundon-Berchtold Institute and be named Dundon-Berchtold Hall.
Dundon-Berchtold Hall, as the new academic center, will also house classrooms, faculty offices, selected key programs, and a gathering space. The University will now be seeking additional gifts to complete the academic building, expected to cost $30 million.
In recent years the Dundon-Berchtolds made a commitment to create an endowment to fund the Dundon-Berchtold Institute for Moral Development and Applied Ethics. The initiative includes the Character Project, an ethics class where students engage in guided discussions as to how personal value systems and beliefs can influence moral character; the Dundon-Berchtold Applied Ethics Program, which pair students with faculty to conduct research projects related to professional and applied ethics in a variety of academic disciplines; and bringing renowned speakers to campus, including Meg Jay and David Brooks.
For more information contact the development office at hanna@up.edu.