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First in Oregon For the seventh consecutive year, the University of Portland is the top Oregon school in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance annual ranking of best values in its private universities category for 2017. The University of Portland was ranked 58th nationwide among all private universities. We’ve been the top ranked private Oregon university and have ranked in the top 100 since Kiplinger’s began releasing its rankings of “Best Value Colleges.” Third Nationally The University of Portland continues to be one of the top producers of Fulbright awards in the nation among master’s level institutions, according to a study released by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The University tied for third place nationally in student Fulbright awards for the academic year 2016-2017, with six students who have received the prestigious grant to study, conduct research; and/or teach English abroad. Best Nature Writer The John Burroughs Association has selected Portland Magazine editor and novelist Brian Doyle as the winner of the 2017 John Burroughs Medal for Distinguished Nature Writing for his book, Martin Marten, published by Macmillan Publishers in 2015. The Burroughs Medal is considered to be tantamount to an Oscar in the field of nature writing, you know, and BD gratefully accepted the award, with his usual wit and aplomb. Faculty Feats Shannon Mayer, physics, and Jacqueline Van Hoomissen, biology, are co-editors of Awaken the Stars, a volume of essays on what UP 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 and is dedicated to Brian Doyle, whose single request for an essay for Portland Magazine inspired Mayer and Van Hoomissen to curate their collection. Get it through ACTA Publishers (www.actapublications.com) and at the University of Portland bookstore. ¶ Kelly Fox, nursing, is the 2017 recipient of the Valley Catholic Distinguished Alumni Award. She’ll complete her doctorate in nursing practice from Yale University in 2017. ¶ Susan Stillwell, nursing, has been selected to join the Nursing Board at the American Health Council. She will be sharing her knowledge and expertise in evidence-based practice, nursing, nursing education, curriculum and program development, and
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nursing education research. ¶ Tisha Morrell, education, has been elected as president of the Association for Science Teacher Education, a non-profit professional organization with more than 800 members around the globe. Vaunted Visitors Among recent guests: nationally acclaimed expert on inclusion, diversity, race, and African American literature Neal Lester, giving the Bauccio Lecture Series keynote, “Beyond ‘Political Correctness’: Success and Everyday Leadership;” the hilarious and heartfelt writer Hob Osterland, who had UP nursing students in stitches and tears; Martin Daum, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America; Linda Biehl, whose daughter Amy was killed by an angry mob in South Africa, on “Reconciliation and Restorative Justice;” and Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Doerr, who filled Buckley Auditorium in about five seconds flat for one of our best Schoenfeldt Distinguished Writers Series events yet. Student Feats Three of Sr. Angela Hoffman’s chemistry students, Kevin Truong, Alexys Bermudez, and Mackenzie Brandon, won first prize in the Chemistry category for posters at the Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium in November 2016. ¶ Engineering students Alex Chabert, Jacob Johnston, Thomas Manfredonia, and Savon Sengsavanh (supervised by
engineering prof Jordan Farina) received a $2,000 award from the Oregon Space Grant Consortium to assist them with their senior capstone project. The team is working to design, manufacture, and test a small-scale jet engine over the course of the year. Wow. ¶ Finance major Michael Williamson ’18 was awarded runner-up in his category for his business venture, Sentri Performance, at the finals of the University Start-Up World Cup, held last October in Copenhagen, Denmark. Michael’s company, Sentri, produces a line of waterproof, windproof hoodie-style sweatshirts for outdoor pursuits like snowboarding as well as day-to-day use, and you never wore a more warm and comfy thing in your life. Gifts & Grants In just 24 hours on Tuesday, November 29, the University raised $56,506 through 258 gifts—the largest number of gifts in one day in UP’s history. Giving Tuesday was inspired by $15,000 in matching funds by the Aplet Family and the Demorest Family Foundation. We had 76 parents, 71 alumni, 61 students, and 16 faculty and staff participate, and the money raised goes toward student scholarships and the Immediate Assistance Fund for Students—a fund specifically designed to meet emergency financial needs for students facing unexpected hardships. Whoa.
Retiring from The Bluff after 36 very, very good years: the beloved and widely respected Matthew Baasten, theology professor extraordinaire, known for his roles as scholar, mentor, administrator, cheerleader, department chair, dean, committee member, and goodwill ambassador—as well as his frank and colorful expressions when faced with unnecessary and intractable adherence to dogma. Also retiring this spring: engineering professors Jim Male (20 years), Wayne Lu (29 years), and Zia Yamayee (21 years); and nursing professor Carol Craig (9 years). Thank you, one and all, for your long and tireless service.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: BOB KERNS
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