Laurie Kelley

You’re Invited: Laurie Kelley’s Farewell Party, Dec. 18

December 11, 2015

All University faculty and staff are invited to wish Laurie Kelley a fond farewell on Friday, December 18, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the Pilot House. Laurie will be leaving her position as vice president of University relations to become president and chief development officer for the Providence Foundations throughout the Oregon region.

She joined the University as director of marketing and communications in October 2006, and has directed many of the University’s signature events including Focus the Nation, the Rise Campaign launch and conclusion ceremonies, the Salute to Heroes, the State of UP, the Pamplin School of Business’ 75th Anniversary, the School of Nursing’s 75th Anniversary, and the Rise for Scholarships Event, which raised over $1.3 million for scholarships. She joined the administration as vice president for University relations in February 2014 after serving in an interim capacity since October 2013.

Prior to coming to UP, Laurie was vice president of marketing and planning at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Please plan to attend and thank Laurie for leaving such a lasting imprint on the University of Portland, whose future and mission have always been near and dear to her heart, not to mention the focus of her boundless energy and enthusiasm.

Rev. Gerard Olinger, C.S.C., and Rev. John Donato, C.S.C., Appointed to Vice President Positions

November 13, 2015

University of Portland president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., has announced the appointments of Rev. Gerard Olinger, C.S.C., as vice president for University relations, and of Rev. John Donato, C.S.C., as vice president for student affairs. Both appointments become effective January 1, 2016.

Fr. Olinger will assume the position currently held by Laurie Kelley, who has accepted the position of president and chief development officer for the Providence Foundations throughout the Oregon region. Kelley has worked at the University since 2006, serving first as the director of marketing and communications prior to her current role as vice president for University relations.

Since his arrival on The Bluff in 2009, Fr. Olinger has served the University in many capacities. For the past four years, as vice president for student affairs, he has overseen the Offices of Residence Life, Public Safety, Student Activities, Campus Ministry, and International Student Services, as well as the Career Center, Health Center, and Moreau Center. He also serves as a pastoral resident in Schoenfeldt Hall and is one of the instructors of “The Character Project” theology course.

Fr. Donato has served as the associate vice president for student development since 2007. In that role, he has direct responsibility for the Offices of International Student Services, Residence Life, Student Activities, and the Moreau Center. Fr. Donato also serves as the deputy Title IX coordinator for students, co-chair of the Early Alert Program, pastoral resident in Fields Hall, and religious superior for the Holy Cross community at the University of Portland.

For more information contact the president’s office at 7101 or simek@up.edu.

Columbia Sportswear Gift to UP Faculty, Staff

October 2, 2015

Columbia Sportswear has generously provided University faculty and staff access to their employee store from October 1 through November 1, according to Laurie Kelley, vice president for university relations. An e-mail with a printable ticket attached was recently sent to all UP faculty and staff; simply print out the pass and present it at the employee store along with UP ID.

Employee store pricing averages 50 percent off manufacturer suggested retail price and includes all brands in the Columbia Sportswear family of brands, with fully stocked size runs and new fall season products. The invitation is non-transferable but employees are welcome to bring up to five family or friends to shop.

The Columbia Sportswear Employee Store is located at 14100 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, OR 97229. M-Sat. 10-6 | Sun. 11-5 (open to 7 p.m. Mon-Sat & 6 p.m. on Sundays starting 10/5).

New Alumni Relations Director

October 6, 2014

Craig Swinyard has been selected as the director of alumni relations, according to Laurie Kelley, VP for university relations.

Swinyard has a long association with the University which began in 1994, his freshman year. He graduated from the University with a bachelor of arts in mathematics in 1998. As a student, he was a member of the Honors Program and lived in Villa Maria all four years, serving as a resident assistant his junior and senior years.

After graduation he worked in the Office of Residence Life as an assistant hall director in Corrado Hall from 1999-2001. Swinyard earned a master of science in teaching mathematics in 2002 and his Ph.D. in mathematics education in 2008, both from Portland State University. He joined the University’s mathematics faculty as an assistant professor in 2008. In 2014, he received tenure and was promoted to associate professor. He and his wife Shoshawna reside in the University Park neighborhood and are the proud parents of a daughter, Mia.

Swinyard has been a leader in developing networking and engagement opportunities for Villa Maria alumni. Earlier this year, he and other University leaders brought back the tradition now known as Anchors Away (formerly Blowout on The Bluff), bringing together more than 1,400 students, faculty, and staff.

Because of his current academic responsibilities, Swinyard will continue to teach students through the end of the fall semester. He will begin working in the alumni office on a part-time basis, moving to full-time when the spring semester commences.

For more information contact alumni relations at 7328 or alumni@up.edu.

Thanks For Years of Dedicated Service

July 7, 2014

Carmen Gaston, who has led the University’s alumni relations office for the past 8 and one-half years, has informed University relations vice president Laurie Kelley of her decision to resign her position as the assistant vice president of alumni relations, effective July 14. Gaston, who earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University in 1996, joined the UP staff in the fall of 2005 as a major gifts officer in the development office. She was promoted to alumni relations director six months later.

The Office of Alumni Relations has shepherded numerous efforts under her direction, including the foundation of the popular Navigator Series, the 50th anniversary celebration of the Salzburg Program, lectures and alumni visits in numerous cities across the nation, and a very successful and widely attended Reunion Weekend in June 2014. Prior to returning to UP, Carmen worked in product management at John Deere and Polaris Industries. She also has a law degree from the Creighton School of Law.

Carmen is looking forward to spending some time focusing on her family as she transitions from her work here at UP. A farewell reception is planned from 3-4 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, at the Events House on N. Portsmouth Ave. Please join the University relations division in thanking Carmen for her many years of dedicated service here on The Bluff and wishing Carmen and her family all the best. For more information contact Laurie Kelley, university relations, at 8332 or kelleyl@up.edu.

Farewell Reception For Fr. Beauchamp, June 11

June 9, 2014

A farewell reception for University president Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., will take place on Wednesday, June 11, beginning at 2:15 p.m., in the Bauccio Commons dining room, according to Laurie Kelley, vice president of university relations. All are welcome as Fr. Beauchamp takes this opportunity to thank faculty and staff for their work and service to the University during his time here as president, and vice versa.

There will be a short program starting at 2:30 p.m., but otherwise the reception is intended as a low-key, come-and-go as you need event. There will be light snacks and refreshments. For more information contact Jamie Berger, university relations, at 7397 or bergerj@up.edu.

Laurie Kelley Appointed VP For University Relations

March 3, 2014

Laurie Kelley has been appointed as vice president for University relations, according to University president Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C. Kelley has been serving in that role in an interim capacity since October 2013, overseeing the Offices of Alumni Relations, Development, Marketing and Communications, and University Events. She has served on The Bluff since October 2006, leading marketing and communications office and mailing and printing services.

In addition to marketing, Kelley has directed many of the University’s signature events, including Focus the Nation, the Rise Campaign launch, the State of UP, the Pamplin School of Business’ 75th Anniversary, the School of Nursing’s 75th Anniversary, and the Rise for Scholarships Event, which raised over $1.3 million for scholarships. Prior to coming to UP, she was vice president of marketing and planning at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Kelley has served on the boards of directors of the Blanchet House and the Children’s Cancer Association, and served as a national commissioner for CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education). She currently serves on the board of Jesuit High School and on the council for Notre Dame Women Connect. As all who meet her soon learn, Laurie and her husband Mike have four children.

Please congratulate Laurie on her new appointment. For more information contact the president’s office at 7101 or simek@up.edu.

Administrative Changes

September 2, 2013

Jim Lyons, vice president of University relations, has announced his resignation. Jim and his family will be relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area where Jim will assume the role of vice president for university relations at Santa Clara University beginning in October.

Jim has served with distinction on the Bluff since 1998 when he began his service here as dean of admissions. During the years Jim led admissions, applications more than tripled and, as a result, the quantity and quality of each incoming freshman class has risen. In 2005, Jim was appointed senior associate vice president of University relations and in 2008, he was named vice president. In this capacity Jim has been responsible for the Offices of Alumni Relations, University Events, Marketing & Communications, and Development, including the University’s $175 million Rise Campaign, the most significant fundraising campaign in the University’s 111-year history. To date more than $162 million has been raised. In addition, through his guidance and leadership in the marketing arena, the profile of the University has never been higher. Jim was the recipient of the Miltner Award, the University’s most prestigious staff award, in 2006. Jim has also been very active in the community through board leadership for Seton Catholic High School, Catholic Charities of Oregon, and Saturday Academy as well as service on Our Lady of Lourdes Finance Council and volunteer youth coaching with Catholic Youth Organization.

Jim and his wife, Connie, and their four sons have added much to the fabric of the UP community.

Fr. Beauchamp has appointed Laurie Kelley, currently associate vice president of University relations and chief marketing officer, to serve as interim vice president of University relations upon Jim’s departure. Laurie has served here on The Bluff since October 2006. Laurie and her team have shepherded the UP brand to new heights. In addition to marketing, Laurie has directed many of the University’s signature events including Focus the Nation, the Rise Campaign launch, the State of UP, the Pamplin School of Business’ 75th Anniversary, the School of Nursing’s 75th Anniversary and last year’s Rise for Scholarships Event, which raised over $1.3 million for scholarships. In her new position, Kelley will oversee the Offices of Alumni Relations, Development, Marketing & Communications, and University Events. Prior to coming to UP, she was the vice president of marketing & planning at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).

Laurie and her husband Mike have four children. She has served on the boards of directors of the Blanchet House, Children’s Cancer Association and served as a national commissioner for CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education). She currently serves on the board of Jesuit High School and Notre Dame Women Connect. She holds an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA, both from the University of Notre Dame.

Please congratulate Laurie on her new position and thank Jim Lyons for his years of dedication and service to the University of Portland. For more information contact the president’s office at 7101 or simek@up.edu.