The BEacon
Vol. 115, Issue 3 September 12, 2013
Confused about what’s going in Syria? Check out our guide.
The Student Voice of the University of Portland Since 1935 A different kind of winner in the Chiles Center.
Are selfies self-destructive? Living, p. 7
Sports, p. 14
News, p. 2-3
Every Thursday
Clarence Thomas to visit UP for annual Red Mass Sept. 19 event at Chiles Center open to the public Kate Stringer Living Editor stringer14@up.edu Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will visit campus Sept. 19 to celebrate UP’s annual Red Mass and dialogue with UP students and professors. The town-hall style discussion, “A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas,” free and open to the public, will be in the Chiles Center at 4 p.m. Following the talk, Thomas will attend UP’s annual Red Mass in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher at 5:30 p.m. The Red Mass, a Catholic tradition that prays for all professions that work with the law and administering justice, will be celebrated by Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample. Thomas’ visit was initiated through his friend Diarmuid O’Scannlain, a Portland judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. O’Scannlain is also a member of the advisory board for UP’s Garaventa Center, which is sponsoring the event. Thomas is not the first
Supreme Court Justice to visit The Bluff. His visit is preceded by Antonin Scalia’s visit in 2007, also initiated through O’Scannlain. Thomas, a 1972 graduate of The College of The Holy Cross, became acquainted with the UP community several years ago through his mentorship of UP junior Dakota Garza. After receiving the Horatio Alger
Association scholarship, which recognizes students who’ve dealt with adversity, Garza met Thomas, also a member of the Association. Thomas became a mentor to Garza through the program, which facilitates supportive relationships between recipients and mentors. “He’s a great mentor and he See Clarence Thomas, page 5
Schedule of Events What: “A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas” - Chiles Center -Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. -Free and open to the public -General seating, no tickets -Allow time for security, doors open no later than 3:30 p.m. -Large bags or backpacks aren’t allowed -His book “My Grandfather’s Son” will be sold for $15.95 per copy, not autographed
What: Red Mass -Chapel of Christ the Teacher -Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m. -Free and open to the public To learn more about Clarence Thomas Political science professor William Curtis will present on the constitutional jurisprudence of Clarence Thomas for Constitution Day Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. in St. Mary’s Lounge.
Photo Courtesy of Garaventa Center
Moreau Center hires interim director David Houglum of Loyola Marymount University to take over Interim Director of Moreau Center position Olivia Alsept-Ellis Staff Writer alseptel14@up.edu The interim director for the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership position has already been filled. David Houglum, current assistant director of Student Leadership and Development in the Ignatian Leadership Institute at Loyola Marymount University, will arrive Sept. 30. He is filling the vacancy left by the departing Moreau Center director Laura Goble. As associate vice president for Student Development, Fr. John Donato was in charge of creating and filling the interim position. “Houglum is the first director of the Moreau Center who has a Ph.D.,” Donato said. “He is the most qualified interim director that we’ve ever had. He has experience building service into the learning curriculum and working with faculty to make that more effective.” Houglum was chosen, in part, because of his academic and
professional track record. He received his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University. At Gonzaga University, he received a master’s degree in Organization Leadership and a doctorate in Leadership. He also has extensive international experience, having traveled throughout Mexico, New Zealand, Zambia, Tahiti, and many other countries in North America, Asia and Europe. He was also chosen for his emphasis on intertwining learning and serving. “A primary concern of ours was to find someone who comes with an understanding of Catholic social teaching and can articulate the education of the whole person with the faith dimension speaking through service as well,” Donato said. Last January, Houglum led a group of Loyola Marymount students on a service immersion trip to the Philippines that focused on urban poverty, sustainable development, women’s empowerment and human trafficking.
While he has the credentials to add a new dimension to the Moreau Center, he also has an interest in maintaining the long time motto of understanding faith and service together. “I believe that service and enacting social justice are located at the heart of Catholic higher education,” Houglum said. “I am inspired by the vision of Fr. Basil Moreau, C.S.C., that God is made known, loved and served through caring for our neighbors and working for the common good.” His position as interim director, however, is not a permanent one. “I think he would love to stay on,” Donato said. “But that’s what the next nine months is for, seeing if he is comfortable with the expectations of a full-time director in the new direction we are heading.” Donato and Houglum will work together to choose the next Moreau Center team member, the interim program manager. “University of Portland is a school that I really admire,” Houglum said. “When I saw the
Photo Courtesy of David Houglum
UP’s new Interim Director for the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership David Houglum and his wife enjoy the nature in Portland. position available it looked like a great fit!” Houglum is excited to move to Portland to be closer to family in the Northwest and take advantage of the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
“My wife and I have both visited Portland multiple times and really enjoyed our time there,” said Houglum. “We love the Northwestern part of the United States and are glad to call it home again.”