Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., has been selected to serve as the 20th president of the University of Portland. D. Allen Lund, chairman of the University’s board of regents, made the announcement on Saturday, January 25. Fr. Poorman – currently serving as executive vice president at UP – will succeed Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., who will step down from the presidency at the conclusion of the 2013-14 academic year. Fr. Beauchamp has served as the University’s president since 2003.
“We believe Fr. Poorman is the ideal person to build upon the foundation laid by Fr. Beauchamp and his predecessors,” said Thomas D. Arndorfer, a University regent and chair of the presidential search committee. “He will guide the University forward while remaining true to our mission of teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership.” A 14-member committee of UP community members conducted the presidential search process, which included meetings with the committee as well as faculty members, administrators, students and alumni.
Fr. Poorman has held his current position as executive vice president since 2011, overseeing the divisions of university operations, financial affairs, university relations and student affairs. He also serves as a professor of theology and pastoral resident of Schoenfeldt Hall. Prior to arriving on The Bluff, he served as vice president for student affairs at the University of Notre Dame for more than a decade. Fr. Poorman will serve as president-elect while Fr. Beauchamp completes his tenure. A welcome reception will be held on campus on Monday, January 27, at 10:30 a.m., in the Bauccio Commons board room. It is free to attend and open to the public.
For more information contact Laurie Kelley, interim vice president of university relations, at kelleyl@up.edu or 8332, or go to http://tinyurl.com/kolj44g.