University of Portland provost Thomas G. Greene will retire from his position effective June 30, 2020, according to University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C. According to Fr. Poorman, “In our University’s proud 118-year history, there are few individuals whose devotion and love for UP matches that of Dr. Greene’s. He is the epitome of what a twenty-first century Provost should be. Our institution’s sadness to be losing such an admired and transformational leader is surpassed only by our gratitude to have counted him as one of our own and our joy for the promise of his happy retirement spent alongside family and friends.”
Greene joined UP in 1983 as an adjunct instructor in the School of Education. Before joining the UP faculty full time in 2004, Green had a long and distinguished career in public education. Among many other posts, he served as principal of East Orient School in Gresham, superintendent of the Orient School District, and assistant superintendent of the Beaverton and Gresham-Barlow School Districts. At UP he held leadership positions as associate dean of the School of Education (2004–07), associate provost and dean of the Graduate School (2007–12), interim dean of the School of Education (2009–10), and interim provost (2012–13) before being named the University Provost in 2013. A brilliant and dedicated teacher who is devoted to his students, Greene has carried a credit hour load every fall and spring semester since 1983 in addition to his significant administrative leadership duties.
He has overseen approval of several new degree programs, guided the University’s sustained successes in undergraduate enrollment, supervised the University’s rise in graduation rate, established and revitalized centers and institutes, hired and mentored critical senior academic leaders, coordinated complex reaccreditation, compensation, and curriculum projects; and assisted with the development of various capital projects. In addition to his immense leadership talents and dedication to mission, many across our University community will miss his quick wit, his warm smile, and the sheer, unabashed joy he brought to his work on The Bluff.
Further details regarding the national search for Greene’s successor will be communicated in the months ahead. Please join the the University community in sending best wishes to Tom, his wife Shannon, and his family for a retirement filled with happiness.
For more information contact the president’s office at x7101 or president@up.edu.