Bauccio Commons

University of Portland has successfully completed its RISE Campaign, raising nearly $182 million and exceeding its goal by almost $7 million, making it one of the largest funding campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.

The campaign, which began in 2007 and was publically launched in 2010 with a goal of raising $175 million, had more than 19,300 donors and raised money for such essentials as annual and endowed scholarships, faculty grants and development, construction of buildings and major renovations.

Campaign highlights include raising $48.6 million to establish more than 200 new annual and endowed scholarships and provide financial assistance for 5,595 students. Another $74.5 million was raised to construct or renovate 12 buildings on campus. Schools and programs received $24.7 million in campaign support, faculty grants and development $8.6 million, athletics $2 million, and a total of $22.6 million was received as unrestricted funds.

Co-chairs of the RISE Campaign were University regent Nancy K. Bryant, a community leader and volunteer in the Portland area, and alumnus Patrick Becker, Jr., ’88, president of Portland-based Becker Capital Management, Inc.

A key component of the campaign was the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering, which began its rise when the late Donald Shiley, a 1951 University graduate, and his wife, University regent Darlene Shiley, made a lead gift of $12 million in 2007 to renovate the building. Their support, along with that of hundreds of other generous alumni and friends—notably engineer, entrepreneur, and inventor Ed Sweo, a 1956 graduate and University regent, and his wife, Sharon—allowed Shiley Hall to open in 2009 with 28,000 additional square feet for labs, classrooms and offices. Darlene Shiley later pledged an additional $8 million gift, bringing the Shileys’ total giving to the University to more than $20 million, the largest gift in University history. The landmark $8 million gift was made to fund engineering student scholarships, as well as faculty research and development.

Other capital projects included Bauccio Commons, a new and renovated student dining facility; a new campus bell tower; a renovated Science Hall, which was renamed Don V. Romanaggi, M.D. Hall; the Clark Library; and the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. The construction of Schoenfeldt and Fields Halls, two new student residence halls, has enabled 310 more students to live on campus. Funds were raised to upgrade athletic facilities, including the Chiles Center and Joe Etzel Field, and support performing and fine arts and student activities programs. The University also purchased 35 acres of Willamette River-front property adjacent to campus to provide for future expansion of facilities.

One of the final capital projects is currently under construction and named for Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., who served as UP’s president from 2003-2014: the Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center. This project was made possible by lead gifts from University regent Mary Boyle and her husband Tim, and also through the Ann and Bill Swindells Charitable Trust. Fundraising for the center received a boost from alumnus Rich Baek ’93 M.E., ’02 MBA, a member of the University’s board of regents. Baek made a challenge gift to young alumni that eventually led to gifts by more than 750 recent graduates.

Another campaign highlight was a $4 million gift from regent Amy Dundon-Berchtold and Jim Berchtold ’63, to establish the Dundon-Berchtold Fund for Moral Development and Applied Ethics. The fund, created to deepen the school’s focus on developing ethical leaders, was spearheaded by Fr. Mark Poorman, C.S.C., who plans to continue teaching his popular class, the Character Project.

Also, as a result of the continued support and estate plan of John ’42 and Patricia Beckman, the University started the Humor Project, a multi-disciplinary effort to study and promote humor as a “spiritual and revolutionary energy in every field of endeavor, from business to politics to the arts and beyond.”

Beyond the dollar amount raised, another key measure of the campaign’s success is a 63 percent increase in annual donors, from 4,175 in fiscal year 2006 to 6,800 in 2014. Additionally, over the course of the campaign, undergraduate student enrollment has increased 31% from 2,753 in 2007 to 3,612 (expected) in 2014.

For more information on the success of the RISE Campaign, please see the Salute to Heroes video at http://tinyurl.com/lxpot87, or contact development at hanna@up.edu.