UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Alumni relations

Complimentary Faculty/Staff Tickets to Reunion 2019, June 27-30

Faculty and staff are encouraged to join the hundreds of alumni who return to campus to participate in the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, June 27-30. This year we’ll be celebrating Salzburg, Entrepreneur Scholars, and the Classes of 1969 and 1999! All events are free for faculty and staff. Enter promo code FACSTAFF at up.edu/reunion.

We’ll kick-off the weekend on Friday with the President’s Alumni Awards Gala, where we will be honoring our alumni award winners: Cathryn Casey ’19, Molly Craft Johnson ’13, Margarita Bautista Gay ’87, and Mike Irwin ’78. This year, we celebrate the Class of 1969, Class of 1999, and all other classes ending in 4 and 9.

Saturday features the annual community-wide Pilot Pride 5k, with proceeds benefitting the XC program. Our signature Welcome Home BBQ will take place on the Academic Quad starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening with music, a beer garden, and kiddie funland.

For more information, go to up.edu/reunion or contact the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations at x7328 or alumni@up.edu with questions.

NIKE Employee Store Access for Faculty & Staff

Alumni relations and the athletics office are excited to provide all UP faculty and staff access to the Nike Employee Store from June 1 to June 17. Family are welcome to join as well. More information and registration can be found here.

Contact Anna Horlacher, alumni relations, at horlache@up.edu or Karina Handeland, athletics, at handelan@up.edu with any questions.

Complimentary Tickets to Reunion 2019, June 27-30

Faculty and staff are encouraged to join the hundreds of alumni who return to campus to participate in our annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, June 27-30. This year we’ll be celebrating Salzburg, Entrepreneur Scholars, and the Classes of 1969 and 1999. Enter promo code FACSTAFF at up.edu/reunion.

For more information, go to up.edu/reunion or contact the alumni office at x7328 or alumni@up.edu.

Complimentary Tickets to Reunion 2018, June 21-24

Faculty and staff are encouraged to join the hundreds of alumni who return to campus to participate in the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, June 21-24. The faculty/staff registration page is available at this link (link will pre-fill the discount code). All events are free for faculty and staff.

We’ll kick-off the weekend on Friday with the President’s Welcome and Alumni Awards Gala, where we will be honoring our alumni award winners: Kenny King ’12 & ’17, Katie Hughes ’02, and Bill Reed ’72. This year, we celebrate the Class of 1968, Class of 1998, Class of 2008, and all other classes ending in 3 and 8.

Saturday features a new community-wide Pilot Pride 5k, whose proceeds will benefit the XC program. Our signature Welcome Home BBQ will take place on The Bluff starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening with live music, a beer garden, and kiddie funland.

For more information, go to up.edu/reunion or contact the alumni office at x7328 or alumni@up.edu.

Gerhardt Award Nominations Accepted Now

The Office of Alumni Relations is accepting nominations for the 2018 Thomas A. Gerhardt Award for Student Leadership. Criteria for selection include:

  • Student must be a graduating senior;
  • Student must have demonstrated leadership throughout his or her undergraduate career;
  • Student must demonstrate consistent dedication to the University and the community through service to God and neighbor.

Nominations are due by Friday, February 9. Complete a nomination form here. A list of previous winners is available here.

For more information contact Craig Swinyard, Director of Alumni Relations, at swinyard@up.edu.

Now Accepting Nominations for 2018 Alumni Awards

Do you know a Pilot who deserves to be recognized for his or her work? Through the annual Alumni Awards, the University of Portland recognizes those individuals who embody UP’s mission in their life and work, and demonstrate the power of the University to prepare people who respond to the needs of the world. All faculty and staff are invited to help identify those alumni who should be recognized for making outstanding contributions to their professional fields, for their dedication to volunteer endeavors, or for their ongoing support of the University and its mission. Nominations are due by October 1, using this form.

For more information contact alumni relations at alumni@up.edu.

Nominate Students For 2017 Gerhardt Award

gerhardt-copyThe Office of Alumni Relations is accepting nominations for the 2017 Thomas A. Gerhardt Award for Student Leadership. Criteria for selection include:

  • Student must be a graduating senior;
  • Student must have demonstrated leadership throughout his or her undergraduate career;
  • Student must demonstrate consistent dedication to the University and the community through service to God and neighbor.

Nominations are due by Friday, February 24. Complete a nomination form here. A list of previous winners is available here.

For more information contact Craig Swinyard, alumni relations, at swinyard@up.edu.

Advisors, Advisees: Take Advantage of UP Resources

swinyard-copyStudents’ return from Fall Break marks the beginning of the academic advising period that leads up to registration for spring courses. During these conversations, advisors might have the opportunity to remind advisees of resources that exist for discerning their post-graduation plans. With this in mind, the Office of Alumni Relations, the Shepard Academic Resource Center, and the Career Center are offering  resources that are available to all members of the UP community.

Launched in Summer of 2015, UP Switchboard is a place where members of our community can offer what they have to give and ask for what they need. There has been a tremendous response, with over 1,200 Pilots already utilizing this platform. Among other benefits, UP Switchboard has served as a valuable resource for students seeking guidance in a variety of career fields and has led to many students connecting with alumni for informational interviews and job shadows. Take a few moments to check out Switchboard now. It may be exactly the resource an advisee needs.

Students are also encouraged to access the Pilots Guiding Pilots network via LinkedIn. This network of UP alumni have volunteered to meet with students to talk about career options and life beyond UP. Students can connect with alumni in Pilots Guiding Pilots to discuss majors, internships, careers, and graduate/professional school through informational interviews and job shadows.

The Career Center is hosting several interactive workshops (called LinkedIn Labs) to help students develop online professional profiles and build their online professional network. This semester’s LinkedIn Labs are scheduled for Wednesday, November 9, at 4:15 p.m., and Wednesday, November 30, at 4:15 p.m. All LinkedIn Labs are held in the Career Center (Lower Level, Orrico Hall). Students can also schedule individual meetings for guidance with LinkedIn and networking.

We are all grateful for the energy each of you put into advising our amazing students. Please let us know if you have any questions about the resources mentioned above.

Bluff Boxes are Back!

bluff-box-squareIt’s time once again to put a smile on a Pilot’s face, especially new students who may be feeling the pangs of homesickness now that fall semester is well underway. Bluff Boxes brighten up a student’s day, and funds raised will update that dusty old couch you used to study on, help the dorms host more social events and outings, or bring in flat-screens and pool tables to the common spaces. Bluff Boxes will be delivered to first-year students’ dorm rooms during the first week of October, and contain freshly-baked cookies to share, fun UP swag, and a special note from you!

Order by Friday, September 23. Questions? Email alumni@up.edu.

Interior Design Workshop, Sept. 15

PrintStaff, faculty, alumni, and students are invited to a Life After UP interior design workshop on Thursday, September 15, at 6 p.m., in Franz Hall room 120.  Amy Pearson ’04, owner of Amy Pearson Design, will share interior design tricks and tips and answer questions. Free for students, $5 for everyone else. Drinks and snacks included. RSVP at lifeafterupdesign.eventbrite.com.