Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Portland Breaks Ground on New Academic Building

  • 11/02/17

Groundbreaking on the University of Portland’s new academic building, Dundon-Berchtold Hall, took place in September. Board of Regents member Amy Dundon-Berchtold and Jim Berchtold ’63, were joined in turning the ceremonial first shovel by University President Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.; Provost Thomas Greene; University Board of Regents Chair Thomas Arndorfer; and ASUP President Brandon Rivera.

University of Portland

The Dundon-Berchtolds made the $15 million lead gift commitment for construction of the hall on the university's Portland, OR, campus. This gift also funded the Dundon-Berchtold Institute for Moral Formation and Applied Ethics, which will be housed in the new building. Along with providing a home for the Institute, the new academic center will also add over 63,000 square feet of classrooms, offices and the recently announced Brian Doyle Lecture Hall.

In his remarks, Fr. Poorman called the groundbreaking a “hope-filled occasion.” He went on to say, “Dundon-Berchtold Hall is a critical step in the university’s commitment to providing the best possible education for our students. One that’s holistic and intellectually rigorous, and character focused, and grounded in faith.”

While thanking the many donors who have contributed to construction of the Hall, Fr. Poorman extended special gratitude to the Dundon-Berchtolds for moving the university “from a conversation phase to a happening phase.” And he noted that the university was proud to name the building in honor of them and their generous commitment.

Dundon-Berchtold Hall will provide much needed academic space for the campus. As the student population at the university has grown 30 percent over the past decade, classroom space has remained the same. Many of the classrooms in the hall will be designed for interactive learning, with spaces that are equipped with moveable furniture and updated technology. Other “cluster” classrooms will be used for small groups of students to work cooperatively and collaboratively together on projects and assignments, a core requirement of many university courses across all disciplines.

Dundon-Berchtold Hall is set for completion in January 2019.

Featured

  • North Texas School District Completes Third New Elementary School

    The Denton Independent School District in Dallas, Texas, recently finished construction on its third prototype design elementary school, Reeves Elementary, according to a news release.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

  • Round Rock ISD Completes New Early College High School

    Round Rock ISD near Austin, Texas, recently announced that construction is complete on a new, 46,500-square-foot campus for Early College High School, according to a news release. The new facility will allow the school’s students and staff to move from portables into a permanent building and increase its enrollment to 500.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.

Digital Edition