News - Development

Jim Berchtold

Expanding the Dundon-Berchtold ‘Ripple Effect’ — Multi-Million Dollar Estate Gift Will Fund University of Portland Student Scholarships

Development

Alumni

Advancing the legacy and the enduring impact he created alongside his late wife, Amy Dundon-Berchtold, University of Portland (UP) alumnus Jim Berchtold ’63 has announced an $18 million dollar estate gift that will primarily fund scholarships and tuition assistance for future UP students.

University of Portland campus from above

Students Walk with Students: Intersectional Hope & Healing Fund

Portland Magazine

Development

Distance learning, while essential due to the pandemic, has presented new challenges for many University of Portland students. Aimee Morlatt '22, junior finance major and president of UP’s mental health advocacy group Active Minds, learned first-hand of students attending Zoom classes from their cars, missing lectures due to lack of internet service or being in different time zones (especially international students), along with other inequities and hardships.

photo of Franz Hall

University of Portland departments recognized by Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Awards and Rankings

Development

The University of Portland was among institutions recognized for their work by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

2018 Giving Tuesday

University of Portland sets new records of charitable giving during 2018 Giving Tuesday campaign

Development

The University of Portland established new records of charitable giving during the 24-hour event known as Giving Tuesday, November 27, 2018, including 741 gifts and a total raised of $194,744 —an 89% increase in total amount raised from 2017.

Dr. James T. Covert

Clark Library gallery named in honor of late Dr. James T. Covert, UP professor emeritus in history

Development

History

College of Arts and Sciences

Library

A Clark Library gallery dedicated to showcasing the University of Portland’s past has been named the Dr. James T. Covert Gallery in honor of the late James Thayne Covert, Ph.D., professor emeritus in history.

Businessman and philanthropist George E. Swindells, longtime donor and former member of the University of Portland Board of Regents, passes away at age 85

Development

Business

George E. Swindells ‘55, Regent Emeritus of the University of Portland and a longtime institutional supporter, passed away Wednesday, September 26 at the age of eighty-five.

Elsie Franz Finley

Memorial Mass for Elsie Franz Finley, long-time donor to the University of Portland, on Tuesday, September 18th

President

Development

Businesswoman and philanthropist Elsie Franz Finley, sister of the late Robert “Bob” Franz, passed away on August 14th at the age of 97. A Memorial Mass will be held for her on Tuesday, September 18th, at 2:30 p.m., in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher on the University of Portland campus.

Dr. Joane Moceri

Dr. Joane Moceri, retiring dean of University of Portland’s School of Nursing, honored with endowed scholarship

Nursing

Development

In honor of Dr. Joane Moceri’s retirement as the dean of the University of Portland School of Nursing, an endowed scholarship for nursing students has been established in her name.

#PilotsGive, University of Portland's first ever 24-hour day of giving, declared a great success

Development

On April 4-5, 2018, University of Portland launched its first annual 24-hour of giving. Considered a great success, 2,771 donors gave a total of $683,263.

Bonnie Toon-Sweeney

Bonnie Toon-Sweeney Memorial Scholarship supports next generation of theater professionals

Performing and Fine Arts

College of Arts and Sciences

Development

The family of the late Bonnie Toon-Sweeney ’94, a longtime figure in the Portland theater community, has endowed a $50,000 scholarship in her name that will assist students studying theater at the University of Portland to complete their degrees.

Mike and Arlette Nelson

Michael and Arlette Nelson commit $10 million to strengthen programs and enhance the campus of the University of Portland

Business

Development

Nursing

Portland businessman Michael E. Nelson ’76, a member of the University of Portland Board of Regents, and his wife Arlette have made a $10 million gift to enhance the campus infrastructure and support academic programs, the University announced Friday.

Photo of Jim Berchtold, Amy Dundon-Berchtold and President Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.

Dundon-Berchtold Hall Groundbreaking

President

Dundon-Berchtold Institute

Admissions

Development

On September 21, 2017, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the site of the new academic building, Dundon-Berchtold Hall. The hall is scheduled for completion in January 2019.

Shiley School of Engineering

$25,000 Esco Foundation grant advances University of Portland innovation initiatives

Engineering

Development

The University of Portland has received a $25,000 grant from the Esco Foundation of Portland for the development of an interdisciplinary makerspace in the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering.

Sr. Angela Hoffman, O.S.B.

Sr. Angela Hoffman, professor of chemistry, awarded $15,000 from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust’s Partners in Science program

Chemistry

Development

College of Arts and Sciences

Sr. Angela Hoffman, O.S.B., professor of chemistry at the University of Portland, was recently awarded $15,000 from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust’s Partners in Science program.

Fr. Richard Berg, CSC

Fr. Richard Berg, CSC's "Scars" adapted into stage play, premieres January 24

Development

After interviewing a group of nine active duty military veterans undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, Fr. Richard Berg, CSC wrote a fictional story incorporating the soldiers’ stories and his own research. The resulting novel, Scars, was published by Corby Books, Lakeville, Ind., in 2013. The book has converted to a stage play by scriptwriter Roccie Hill and producer John Beaulieu and will be premiered on January 24, 2017, at 7 p.m., during the Fertile Ground Festival, held January 19-29 at Lakewood Center for the Arts in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Kyle E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship receives new $1.5 million pledge

Development

Alumni

The family of the late Kyle E. Johnson ’05 has expanded their bequest to a memorial scholarship named in his honor. Keith Johnson and his wife informed the University of an additional gift of approximately $1.5 million to the Kyle E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship. The funds will be held in trust and will transfer to the University as part of Keith Johnson’s estate.

Donald T. Galarneau '49

University of Portland alumnus and longtime benefactor Donald T. Galarneau ’49 passes away

Alumni

Physics

Engineering

Development

University of Portland alumnus and longtime benefactor Donald T. Galarneau ’49 passed away on Saturday, August 20 after a sudden illness. A Portland native, Don generously gave the University $1.5 million during his lifetime, including matching gifts from General Electric (GE), for whom he worked his entire career.  

Robert W. Franz

Robert W. (Bob) Franz, member of the University of Portland’s Board of Regents and long-time donor to the University, passes away on August 9

Development

Alumni

Robert W. Franz, longtime regent, friend, and donor leaves his legacy as philanthropist for Franz Hall, Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Franz Chair in Entrepreneurship.

Earle M. Chiles

Businessman and philanthropist Earle M. Chiles, member of the University of Portland Board of Regents, passes away at age 83

Development

Athletics

Portland businessman and philanthropist Earle M. Chiles passed away on Thursday, June 23 after a long illness. He was 83. Chiles was a longtime supporter of the University of Portland and had been a member of the University’s Board of Regents since 1975.

Allen and Kathleen Lund honor family, faith and formation with a new gift to the University

Residence Life

Development

A new gift commitment from Allen and Kathleen Lund brings their lifetime commitment to the University of Portland to $10 million. In recognition, the new residence hall will be named Lund Family Hall.

Gift from University of Portland engineering alumnus establishes Richard and Diane VanGrunsven Professor of Engineering

Engineering

Development

University of Portland has received a gift from engineering alumnus Dick VanGrunsven '61, for $30,000 to establish a new term professorship in the Shiley School of Engineering. Over the three-year term of the project, mechanical engineering professor Timothy Doughty will have the title “The Richard and Diane VanGrunsven Professor of Engineering.”

University of Portland Announces Transformational Gift for Academic Support from Amy Dundon-Berchtold and Jim Berchtold '63

President

Dundon-Berchtold Institute

Development

University of Portland President Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., announced a $15 million commitment from Board of Regents member Amy Dundon-Berchtold and Jim Berchtold ’63.

University of Portland announces plans for new residence hall

Development

Residence Life

University of Portland has announced plans to construct a new residence hall with room for approximately 270 students.

University of Portland alumnus John Becic '52 gives $100,000 to establish professorship in accounting and help with upgrades of Joe Etzel Field

Development

Business

Athletics

University of Portland has received a $100,000 gift from alumnus John N. Becic, who graduated in 1952 with a degree in accounting.

UP alumnus Donald T. Galarneau '49 gives $50,000 to Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering, resulting in $50,000 match from GE

Engineering

Development

University of Portland alumnus Donald T. Galarneau, a 1949 University graduate, has donated $50,000 to the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering for the purchase for a high speed camera.

University of Portland receives $75,000 from Elizabeth Cebula to help fund the Entrepreneur Scholars Program and the Dean’s Leadership Initiative

Business

Development

Franz Center

The University of Portland has received a $75,000 gift from Elizabeth Cebula, whose family has long and supportive ties to the University. Cebula’s gift will help fund the Entrepreneur Scholars Program and the Pamplin School of Business (PSOBA) Dean’s Leadership Initiative.

University of Portland receives $100,000 for the Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center

Recreational Services

Development

University of Portland has announced a $100,000 gift from Dick Ebersol to help fund the Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center, currently under construction and named in recognition of President Emeritus Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C.

University of Portland's renovation of the Pilot House begins; set to be complete during Fall semester

Development

President

The University of Portland has begun renovation of the Pilot House, which historically housed the campus bookstore and a small dining area and lounge.

University of Portland receives $500,000 from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for the Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center

Recreational Services

Development

University of Portland has announced a grant of $500,000 from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for the Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center, currently under construction and named in recognition of former University President Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C.