(Photo courtesy of Google Images)
By Corey Fawcett, Staff Writer -- fawcett13@up.edu
Fr. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., a UP regent and former vice president of the University of Notre Dame is moving to The Bluff.
He will become UP's new executive vice president in charge of overseeing university operations and relations, financial affairs and student life effective July 1. Poorman will be an associate professor of theology as well.
Working at the University of Portland appeals to Poorman for academic and geographic reasons.
"I was drawn to the school's Catholic and Holy Cross identity, rising academic profile of students and its excellent academic programs and distinguished and dedicated faculty," Poorman said. "It's a place that treasures its own traditions of residential life and an intellectually and socially active campus. It's been blessed with outstanding leadership in administration of colleges, departments, programs and operations."
Not to mention he has fallen under Portland's spell.
"I'm also excited about the location in the heart of one of the most naturally beautiful and interesting cities in the country," Poorman said.
Poorman currently lives in Indiana at Notre Dame, where he just finished an 11-year stint as vice president for Student Affairs. Among his duties were the supervision of residential life, Campus Ministry, Notre Dame Security Police, the Counseling Center, the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education, the Career Center, the Student Activities Office, Health Services, the Gender Relations Center and Multicultural and International Student Services.
In his new job at UP, he takes on the former responsibilities of Fr. Tom Doyle, C.S.C., who left UP last summer to take Poorman's place at Notre Dame as vice president of student affairs. Unlike Doyle, Poorman will also oversee student life at UP.
"Fr. Poorman was a very successful vice president of student affairs at Notre Dame, a very difficult job," Beauchamp said. "He is extremely organized and advanced the Student Life operation as an integral part of the mission of the University."
Poorman is also a tenured professor of Christian ethics, with areas of interest in moral theology, character formation, contemporary issues such as medical ethics, professional ethics, sexual ethics and various topics in applied ethics.
"I may wait some time before I teach so that I can learn about the administrative responsibilities," Poorman said, "but I look forward to being in the classroom and continuing to develop in my areas of interest and scholarship."
"His years of experience and excellent reputation as an administrator and teacher that he brings with him to UP will be very important as we go forward with the strategic plan and other things being done to advance UP as a premier Catholic university," Beauchamp said.
Poorman plans to do a lot of listening and learning to adjust to his new position.
"I want to get to know the culture and community of UP and discover where my own contributions might best be made," Poorman said.
"I hope to build on the strengths that are already present at UP and help with improvements where they may be needed," Poorman said. "I also hope to give some creative thought with the help of others to fundraising and meeting the goals of the RISE campaign."
"He is an excellent colleague who will work well as part of a team in fostering the community environment we value at UP," Beauchamp said.
