University Almanac

From Our Past: Remembering Phil Cansler

May 27, 2016

cansler On June 2, 2008, longtime UP music professor Philip Cansler passed away after a brave battle with brain cancer. He came to UP in 1980 and quickly became well known for his trumpet playing, but of course he was particularly remembered for his performances at Pilot basketball games as he conducted the pep band. Phil’s purple wig seemed to take on a life of its own as the normally affable, mild-mannered professor morphed into a frenetic, maniacal character who would taunt opponents, lead cheers, and energize Pilot fans and players alike with his contagious zeal. In addition to directing the University’s concert band he also taught courses in the fundamentals of music and the core offering in the introduction to the fine arts. Phil was a kind-hearted, student-centered man who gave himself over completely to his art and the University’s mission and its students, and we miss him still.

For more stories from UP’s past see the University Almanac at www.up.edu/almanac.

From Our Past: Pilot Soccer Stars Go For Gold

July 28, 2014

On August 1, 1996, two University of Portland athletes led the United States Olympic women’s soccer team to a 2-to-1 victory over China to win the gold medal. A goal by Shannon MacMillan in the 19th minute and the game-winner by Tiffeny Milbrett (pictured) in the 62nd were the only goals scored by the U.S. team in a game played before 78,418 fans, the largest crowd in history to watch a women’s team athletic event. It was the inaugural women’s soccer Olympic competition that year in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more UP history see the University Almanac at www.up.edu/almanac.

From Our Past: Fr. James Fogarty, C.S.C.

June 30, 2014

Father James A. Fogarty, C.S.C., died on July 7, 1965, at age 66. He had served at the University from 1926 to 1964 as a professor of economics and was still living in Christie Hall at the time of his death. Some years earlier he had established, from his personal patrimony and from other gifts, a fund to be used for the building of a chapel at the University. There had long been chapels in buildings such as West (now Waldschmidt) Hall, Christie Hall, the old Commons (now St. Mary’s Student Center) but never a stand-alone building designed exclusively as a chapel. It was his idea that the proper investment of even a small fund could in time grow to sufficient size and value to make the construction of a chapel possible. His dream was realized in 1986 when his successor as trustee of the fund, Fr. James Anderson, C.S.C., laid before University president Fr. Thomas Oddo, C.S.C., an account of the fund’s value in excess of $600,000. Shortly thereafter, the board of regents authorized the building of the Chapel of Christ the Teacher.

For more University history from this week, see the University Almanac at www.up.edu/almanac.

From Our Past

February 3, 2014

Father Louis M. Kelley, C.S.C., president of the University from 1928 to 1934, died on February 8, 1964, at the age of 79. During Father Kelley’s administration, the University granted its first baccalaureate degrees to six bachelors of arts in 1929; he also presided over Columbia University during the worst years of the Great Depression. After leaving Portland he later served as assistant superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross. His portrait, painted by artist-in-residence Emil Jacques, hangs on the third floor of Waldschmidt Hall outside the offices of the dean of the Graduate School.

In 1935, February 8 also marked the first appearance of the Columbiad as a weekly publication. It had begun as a periodical edited by the faculty but eventually came under the editorship of students. Later in 1935 it changed its name to The Beacon in reflection of the change in name of the University itself and the adoption of “The Pilots” as a nickname for the school’s athletes.

To see more University of Portland history go to www.up.edu/almanac.