By Olivia Alsept-Ellis |
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.
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 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.”
