University Relations

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.

Inauguration of the 20th UP President, September 26

September 22, 2014

Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., will be inaugurated as University of Portland’s 20th president on September 26, 2014. The Inauguration Mass at 11:45 a.m. and the ceremony at 3 p.m. in the Chiles Center will cap two days of public celebration honoring the new president. All University of Portland community members are invited to celebrate this historic event.

Fr. Poorman was selected as the 20th president by the University of Portland Board of Regents in January 2014. He also served as executive vice president since 2011.

Inauguration events will include:

Faculty & Staff Reception, Wednesday, September 24, 2014, 3:30-5:30 p.m., The Bluff/Bauccio Commons.
Classes will be cancelled on Friday, September 26, after 11:15 a.m.
Inauguration Mass, 11:45 a.m., Chiles Center. All UP community members are welcome. Faculty members are expected to process in academic regalia’ please report to the Chiles Center as soon as possible after 11:15 a.m.
Inauguration Ceremony, 3 p.m., Chiles Center. All UP community members are welcome. Faculty will be expected to process in academic regalia. Due to the large number of guests from UP and other institutions, faculty are to report to the Chiles Center by 2 p.m.
Inauguration Reception immediately following the Inauguration Ceremony, Chiles Center Plaza.

For more information contact Jamie Berger at 7397 or bergerj@up.edu.

President-Elect Reception, Jan. 27

January 27, 2014

Please join the University community at 10:30 a.m. today, Monday January 27, in the Bauccio Commons Board Room as we welcome Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C. as the 20th president-elect. University regent Tom Arndorfer, who led the presidential search committee, will give brief remarks and Father Poorman will also speak. Please also stay afterwards to enjoy a short reception with coffee and pastries.

For more information contact Laurie Kelley, interim vice president of university relations, at kelleyl@up.edu or 8332, or go to http://tinyurl.com/kolj44g.

Promotion For Bryce Strang

October 7, 2013

J. Bryce Strang has been promoted to senior associate vice president for development, effective immediately. He will also become a member of the President’s Leadership Cabinet.

Since 2003, Strang has been a vital member of the University of Portland and a critical and successful leader within the university relations division. He oversees the philanthropic endeavors of the University, including the $175 million Rise Campaign. Under his leadership annual giving, planned giving and major gifts have all experienced marked increases in success.

Prior to coming to UP, Strang’s career included eight years as executive director of the Arthritis Foundation, Oregon Chapter, and sixteen years with Providence Health and Services. Please congratulate Bryce on his well-deserved promotion. For more information contact the president’s office at 7101 or simek@up.edu.

Jim Lyons Farewell Party

October 7, 2013

Please join the University Relations Division as we wish our friend and colleague Jim Lyons a fond farewell as he leaves his University of Portland family after an amazingly successful 16 years on the Bluff. His party will take place on Monday, October 7, from 3 to 4 p.m., in the Terrace Room. For more information contact marketing and communications at 7202 or mktg@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.