Fr. Art Wheeler, C.S.C, PhD Associate Professor, History

In his 38 years on The Bluff, Fr Art Wheeler has served in a myriad of roles at UP, from Pastoral Resident in Kenna and Mehling, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, to the Director of Studies Abroad. “I have been fortunate to spend a great deal of life working directly with students,” he says. “Being accessible to students has long been a charism of Holy Cross priests.”

As an undergraduate at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, Wheeler was unsure of his vocation. He felt a call from God that led him to graduate school while determining whether to pursue government service or the priesthood. After completing a doctorate at Notre Dame, he entered the formation program for the Congregation of the Holy Cross. “Once I started teaching as a priest, I felt confirmed in my vocation as a priest-educator,” he says. He came to University of Portland in 1987, where he taught history classes and assisted with British programs. With guidance and assistance from many at UP, he helped expand the studies abroad programs, using experience from teaching seven full semesters and 25 summers overseas, and was the director of studies abroad from 1995 to 2015.

As an instructor, his favorite courses to teach tended to focus on World Wars I and II. One particularly memorable program was led alongside Dr. John Orr and took students on a six-week tour through historic sites in Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Paris, London, and other key cities and battlefields connected with World War I. In general, he enjoys teaching history classes of many kinds, to a wide variety of students.  A special focus has been with the cadets of the ROTC programs. “They bring professional insight and enthusiasm,” he says. He still receives letters from former students who have been inspired by his work as a teacher and program leader— “I greatly appreciate hearing how they have used materials from UP and Studies Abroad programs in teaching their own classes, running overseas programs, and engaging in research projects,” he says.

Fr. Art plans to continue living at UP as a priest and will continue teaching history classes as an adjunct after taking a C.S.C.-sponsored sabbatical—we look forward to continuing to see him around campus!