RISE Campaign

RISE Campaign Closes, Exceeds Goal by $7 Million

July 14, 2014

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.

Rich Baek Going For GOLD

June 9, 2014

University regent and alumnus Rich Baek has extended his challenge to young alumni to help raise funds for the Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center, which broke ground in May. His first challenge was to donate $50,000 to the center if 601 GOLD alumni (Graduates Of the Last Decade) donated to the University by June 1, 2014. The 601 figure was designed to highlight the deadline (6/01) of the challenge, which was met two months early, according to Leanne Goolsby, associate director of annual giving.

Baek is now increasing his donation, offering an additional $100 to the Beauchamp Center for each additional GOLD donor by June 30, 2014. GOLDs can make their donation to any area of the University and still be eligible for Baek’s match. As of June 1, the total number of young alumni who have responded to Baek’s challenge is 702, according to Goolsby. More information about the 601- GOLD Challenge can be found at www.up.edu/601.

Gifts made to the Beauchamp Center are included in the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and with a goal of raising $175 million by the end of the campaign on June 30. The campaign has raised nearly $181 million to date and is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university. For more information contact development at 7395 or hanna@up.edu.

Ground Broken For Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center

May 12, 2014

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center took place on Friday, May 9, at the future site of the $23 million center, which will be constructed entirely from donor-supported funding. It is set to open in early fall 2015, thanks to the work of 360 Architecture, Dan Danielson and Soderstrom Architects, and SKANSKA. Renderings of the proposed building can be found at http://tinyurl.com/kurlp7z.

The building is expected to become a dynamic focal point on campus and will enhance the physical and mental health of students, faculty and staff. Designs call for a new, modern facility, which will feature state-of-the-art equipment and space to accommodate the growing University community. Gifts made to the Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center were included in the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 with a goal of raising $175 million by the end of June 2014. The RISE Campaign is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.

Fr. Beauchamp announced last year he is stepping down as president at the end of June 2014. He will be succeeded by president-elect Rev. Mark Poorman, C.S.C., who was elected by the University’s Board of Regents in January. The University’s president since 2003, Beauchamp has been a strong supporter of the new center.

The center’s main level will have three gyms. The total space available for the three courts is 23,090 square feet – and another 2,830 square feet for locker rooms. This level also will have 1,480 square feet of administrative office space and an outdoor recreation and bike shop, with 1,520 square feet available. Overlooking the main floor will be treadmills and stationary bikes; suspended above all three recreational gyms will be a 10,130 square foot track designed so that eight laps equal one mile. The center will include a strength and weight training area and a 730 square foot rock wall for climbing.

For more information see the Beauchamp Wellness Center website at http://tinyurl.com/l5plm7t.

UP Celebrates RISE Campaign With Heroes Among Us Gala

May 12, 2014

Although the RISE Campaign doesn’t officially end until June 30, University of Portland celebrated the Campaign’s close with a gala attended by more than 600 friends and benefactors on Thursday, May 8. Called “Heroes Among Us,” the gala honored the men, women, corporations, and foundations who helped UP achieve its ambitious $175 million goal. To date, the Campaign has raised more than $180,741,561. The gala also celebrated UP’s “future heroes”—the students and young alumni who have directly benefited from the Campaign.

Among the highlights of the RISE Campaign:

12 new or renovated buildings and structures
9 new professorships
Nearly $49 million for 232 new scholarships
The establishment of the Dundon-Berchtold Fund for Moral Development and Applied Ethics and the Beckman Humor Project; the expansion of the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation; and many gifts in support of campus ministry, the Garaventa Center, and the Moreau Center.

The RISE Campaign doesn’t officially end until June 30, and the University is still pursuing a participation goal of 7,000 donors for the fiscal year. Participation rates of alumni, faculty, and staff affect national rankings and influence grant-making decisions of some foundations. For information about the RISE Campaign, or to make a gift, contact Diane Dickey, development, at dickey@up.edu.

$50,000 Galarneau Gift

April 21, 2014

The University has announced a RISE Campaign gift of $50,000 from Donald T. Galarneau, a 1949 University graduate who worked at General Electric Company for 35 years as a field engineer. The gift will be divided equally for the Shiley School of Engineering and the Donald T. Galarneau Endowed Scholarship.

A Portland resident, Galarneau earned a degree in physics at the University and served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. His interests at the University of Portland include the engineering and science programs and the Mini Baja Project. He often attends University reunions and events and is involved with the local Catholic radio station KBVM.

The Galarneau gift is part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million by 2014. The RISE Campaign, which has raised more than $172 million to date, is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university. For more information contact the development office at hanna@up.edu.

$310,000 RISE Gift From Bruce and Barbara Weir

April 7, 2014

The University of Portland has announced a RISE Campaign gift of $310,000 from the estate of Bruce and Barbara Weir, who both passed away in 2012. The gift includes a $201,000 donation to campus ministry and $109,000 to the Garaventa Center.

The Weirs had no direct connection with the University but were strong supporters of Catholic education. They both worked in government jobs for the state of Washington. After retiring, they joined the Peace Corps for a year and later purchased an orchard outside of Hood River.

Their gift is part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million by 2014. The campaign has raised more than $172 million to date and is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.

$1.35M RISE Gift From Elizabeth James ’77, ’86

March 31, 2014

Over the past year, the University of Portland has been the beneficiary of a $1.35 million gift from the estate of alumna Elizabeth James, ’77, ’86 (pictured, from the 1977 Log). A portion of the gift, more than $1 million, was dedicated to the renovated Clark Library, where a state-of-the-art conference room was named in James’ honor. In addition, the Elizabeth A. James Endowed Scholarship Fund was established with $350,000 of the estate’s gift. The scholarship fund goes to help students enrolled in the Pamplin School of Business.

James was director of finance for Providence Health Systems in Portland when she passed away in 2012 at the age of 57. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1977 and an MBA in 1986, both from University of Portland. After passing her Certified Public Accountant exam, she worked as an auditor for Blue Cross, Blue Shield. In 1983, she joined Providence, where she worked for most of her career. James volunteered extensively for numerous organizations and causes she supported.

Her gift is part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million by 2014. The campaign has raised more than $172 million to date and is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.

For more information contact development at 7395 or hanna@up.edu.

UP Receives RISE Gift From Michael E. Nelson ’76

March 17, 2014

The University of Portland has announced a RISE Campaign gift of special equipment for carpet cleaning from Michael E. Nelson, who graduated from UP in 1976 with a business degree in accounting. Nelson has made previous gifts to the University, including one to establish a Walter E. Nelson Distinguished professorship in the Pamplin School of Business. The donated equipment, valued at nearly $20,000, includes a Tennant V-WA-26 wide area vacuum and an (R14) Tennant TM9001689 Rider Ready Space Extractor with accessories. Both devices help reduce mold and bacteria and use up to 90 percent less water then conventional equipment.

Nelson’s prior gift to the Pamplin School of Business was in memory of his father, who in 1945 founded Walter E. Nelson Company, which today has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier janitorial and paper supply distribution networks. Michael Nelson joined the business full time after graduating from the University of Portland.

The company today offers service in janitorial, paper, chemical and packaging supply needs. It has grown significantly over the decades and today includes a state-of-the art corporate office and warehouse facility on Swan Island. The company also has branches in Klamath Falls, North Bend, Seattle, Bend, Walla Walla, Spokane, Astoria and Eugene.

Nelson’s gift is part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million by 2014. The campaign has raised more than $172 million to date and is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.

For more information contact the development office at 7395 or hanna@up.edu.

$4M Dundon-Berchtold RISE Campaign Gift

February 17, 2014

The University of Portland has announced a RISE Campaign donation of $4 million from Amy Dundon-Berchtold and Jim Berchtold ’63, to create an endowment for the Dundon-Berchtold Fund for Moral Development and Applied Ethics. The gift, which was announced at the recent annual retreat of the board of regents, will have a significant and lasting impact on the University, according to president-elect Rev. Mark Poorman, C.S.C., who was instrumental in the creation of the fund. The gift will create an endowment, providing for sufficient operating funds and an endowed directorship.

The Berchtolds provided seed money two years ago to create an initiative that focuses on character formation and applied ethics. The initiative includes “The Character Project,” which offers a venue for students to engage in guided discussions as to how personal value systems and beliefs can influence moral character. Fr. Poorman created a similar program at the University of Notre Dame, where he previously team-taught a class with University regent Carolyn Woo. Amy Dundon-Berchtold is also a member of UP’s board of regents.

Amy Dundon-Berchtold became familiar with the Portland community and University of Portland largely through her husband, Jim Berchtold, a 1963 UP graduate. The couple met following the loss of both of their spouses. The couple began discussing the idea of moral formation and applied ethics during a University trip in 2011 that included several priests from the Congregation of Holy Cross. During discussions on that trip with Fr. Poorman and others, the couple made an on-the-spot exploratory gift of $25,000. Several months later, after the initial project was fine-tuned, the couple donated $500,000 to bring Fr. Poorman’s vision to reality.

The Dundon-Berchtold gift is part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million by 2014. The campaign has raised more than $172 million to date and is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university. For more information contact the development office at 7395 or hanna@up.edu.

$100,000 to RISE Campaign

January 27, 2014

The development office has announced RISE Campaign gifts totaling $100,000 from two members of the University’s board of regents. The donors and their gifts are John (Jack) Block ’71 ($50,000) and Ted Winnowski ($50,000).

Block graduated from the University of Portland in 1971 with a business administration degree and is president of Block Electric Co. Inc. He has served on the board since 2000. From his donation, $25,000 will go to the Pamplin School of Business Administration and $25,000 to the future Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center. He began his career with Block Electric immediately after earning his degree and became the company’s president in 1980.

Winnowski, a financial and corporate consultant, is also a strategic member of Columbia Business Advisors, a private consulting firm in the Northwest, plus Veber Partners, an investment banking firm. Previously, he served as president and chief executive officer of Centennial Bank and Centennial Bancorp, Portland. Winnowski has served on the board since 1994, including nearly six years as chair. He recently served as a board member for Regence BlueCross and BlueShield of Oregon, is the former Honorary Consul for the Republic of Poland in Oregon, and is honorary board chair for the Portland Chamber of Commerce (currently Portland Business Alliance).

The gifts are part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million by 2014. The campaign has raised more than $168 million to date and is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.

For more information contact development at 7395 or hanna@up.edu.