UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Shannon Mayer

2019 Difference Award Winners

The athletics department would like to acknowledge this year’s winners of the Difference Award. Each year, student-athletes nominate professors on campus who made a difference in their life. The definition is left intentionally vague, allowing students to reflect on the many ways a Professor may have made a difference to them. This year’s professors are:

  • Todd Easton, economics 
  • Shannon Mayer, physics
  • Jeffrey White, international languages & cultures

This year’s winners will be honored at the men’s basketball game versus ____ on Thursday, February 7, at 8 p.m., at the Chiles Center. Please come out and enjoy the game and congratulate our winners for their support of all of our students on campus, including our student-athletes.

For more information contact Matt Welch, athletics, at x4836 or welchm@up.edu.

Arrival: A Special Edition of “Bringing Eyes of Faith to Film,” Feb. 21

Join Garaventa Center co-directors Karen Eifler and Fr. Charlie Gordon, C.S.C., as they team up with Shannon Mayer, physics, and Jim Baillie, philosophy, to unpack surprising themes of grace and transcendence in the movie “Arrival.” The screening is on Wednesday, February 21, at 7:15 p.m., in Shiley Hall room 319. Free and open to all; thematic movie snacks will be served.

For ADA accommodations or more information contact the Garaventa Center at x7702 or garaventa@up.edu.

 

New Faculty Essay Collection: “Awaken the Stars”

stars-dt-copyShannon Mayer, physics, and Jacqueline Van Hoomissen, biology, are pleased to announce the publication of Awaken the Stars, their co-edited volume of essays on what faculty really teach in their classrooms, beyond the standard course content. The collection is comprised of reflective writings from 25 faculty from a broad range of disciplines at the University of Portland and is dedicated to Brian Doyle, the creative, inquisitive, and joyous colleague who, with a single request for an essay for Portland Magazine, inspired Mayer and Van Hoomissen to curate their current collection.

Mayer and Van Hoomissen hope the essay collection will provide readers with a deeper look at what UP faculty members believe education is really about, and that it will serve as a catalyst to inspire conversations about the deeper meanings of education. The essays add to the national dialogue on the value of higher education, but they are unique in that each author takes a more personal look at how thoughtful engagement, personal connection, and intentionality inform and transform what happens between professor and student. The collection is not an “academic” book, but is a simple collection of personal essays that seek to add compelling and compassionate stories to the national conversation on higher education.

Awaken the Stars is available for through ACTA Publishers (www.actapublications.com) and at the University of Portland bookstore.

For more information contact Mayer at mayers@up.edu or Van Hoomissen at vanhoomi@up.edu.

Science And Religion Lecture

Shannon Mayer, physics, and Rev. Thomas Hosinski, C.S.C., theology, will discuss the possibilities surrounding the integration of science and faith when they present “Science and Religion” on Wednesday, April 10, at 4 p.m., in Buckley Center room 163. Their talk, sponsored by the Garaventa Center, is free and open to all.

Mayer will provide examples of how faith and science are integrated in the life of a professional scientist. Hosinski will reflect on how religion and science complement each other, so that together they give us a deeper understanding of reality. The lecture will be preceded by a brief ceremony presenting the annual Garaventa High School essay contest awards, beginning at 4 p.m. For more information contact the Garaventa Center at 7702 or powell@up.edu.

Science And Religion Lecture

Shannon Mayer and Fr. Tom HosinskiShannon Mayer, physics, and Rev. Thomas Hosinski, C.S.C., theology, will discuss the possibilities surrounding the integration of science and faith when they present “Science and Religion” on Wednesday, April 10, at 4 p.m., in Buckley Center room 163. Their talk, sponsored by the Garaventa Center, is free and open to all.

Mayer will provide examples of how faith and science are integrated in the life of a professional scientist. Hosinski will reflect on how religion and science complement each other, so that together they give us a deeper understanding of reality. The lecture will be preceded by a brief ceremony presenting the annual Garaventa High School essay contest awards, beginning at 4 p.m. For more information contact the Garaventa Center at 503-943-7702 or powell@up.edu.

Faculty Development Proposals

The Committee on Teaching and Scholarship is soliciting proposals from faculty and staff to host workshops, roundtables, and presentations during Faculty Development Day, to be held on Tuesday, May 7, according to Aziz Inan, committee chair. Proposals related in some way to the promotion of teaching, scholarship, or professional development are encouraged. Please contact Inan at 7429 or ainan@up.edu or any other member of the committee with proposals, questions, or requests for additional information. Committee members include Ray Bard, Susan Hinken, Shannon Mayer, Mark Meckler, Eric Anctil, Lauretta Frederking, Elayne Shapiro (for Renee Heath 2012-13), and Chris Hallstrom (for Stephanie Salomone spring 2013).

Faculty Development Proposals

The Committee on Teaching and Scholarship is soliciting proposals from faculty and staff to host workshops, roundtables, and presentations during Faculty Development Day, to be held on Tuesday, May 7, according to Aziz Inan, committee chair. Proposals related in some way to the promotion of teaching, scholarship, or professional development are encouraged. Please contact Inan at 7429 or ainan@up.edu or any other member of the committee with proposals, questions, or requests for additional information. Commitee members include Ray Bard, Susan Hinken, Shannon Mayer, Mark Meckler, Eric Anctil, Lauretta Frederking, Elayne Shapiro (for Renee Heath 2012-13), and Chris Hallstrom (for Stephanie Salomone spring 2013).