Nastacia Voisin |
Classes will stop at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, as UP inaugurates its new president, Fr. Mark Poorman. Poorman was elected by the Board of Regents in January, succeeding Fr. William Beauchamp, who served as president for 10 years.
As UP’s 20th president, Poorman will oversee the completion of campus projects set in motion by Beauchamp and guide the University forward with his vision of success. Among his presidency goals are an expansion of the role of ethics on campus and the creation of better ways for students to connect with their post-graduate destinations.
Poorman came to UP from the University of Notre Dame, where he held multiple administrative positions and taught theology classes from 1999 to 2010. He grew up in three states: Arizona, California and Illinois. Poorman was ordained a Congregation of Holy Cross priest in 1982.
Since 2011, Poorman served as executive vice president, overseeing departments such as University operations and affairs, financial affairs and student affairs. He also served as a theology professor and Schoenfeldt Hall’s pastoral resident. Poorman was a key figure in establishing the Dundon-Berchtold Fund for Moral Development and Applied Ethics. He became the University’s president on July 1, 2014.
Poorman focused his research on moral theology and its pastoral implications. He has also written and lectured about health care and character ethics, pastoral ministry, sexuality and Catholic higher education. At UP, he primarily taught courses on Christian ethics and moral theology.
Q&A with Fr. Poorman
Q: It's early yet, but what are some of the unexpected challenges and joys of being president?
A: One great ongoing challenge: To find as many opportunities to promote the mission and people of UP as I possibly can. That work is never done, and I welcome it!
Two great ongoing joys: The tremendous sense of support and encouragement from so many UP folks; and the incredible privilege on behalf of the Holy Cross community of serving those folks, who labor every day for the good of our students.
Q: Is there anything that you miss about being a pastoral resident of Schoenfeldt Hall?
A: I miss the contact with students through random visits to my room, in the hallways, at hall-sponsored events, in passing conversations. I'm very fortunate in that I can continue to celebrate some Masses in Schoenfeldt, along with the other residence halls, in the course of the school year. Presiding at those Spirit-filled Masses is a real blessing!
Q: Do you have any favorite places on The Bluff?
A: I love the view of the Academic Quad from the portico of the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. It's beautiful, regardless of the weather. The view the other direction from the upper floors of Franz Hall (especially from Dean [John] Watzke's and Dean [Robin] Anderson's patios!) is also terrific — the quad, the West Hills and the city in the distance.
And I love being at Merlo Field when students pack the place and the collective energy runs high.
Q: What is something that you would like students to know about you as a person?
A: My many years of teaching students, being in residence with them, and ministering to them through preaching, presiding and counseling have formed and transformed my own vocation to the priesthood, and I look forward to continuing to rely upon that calling and background in assuming the role of president.
Inauguration Schedule
Friday, Sept. 26:
- All classes canceled after 11:15
- 11:45 a.m.: Inauguration Mass in the Chiles Center
- 3:00 p.m.: Inauguration Ceremony in the Chiles Center, with a reception following in the Chiles Center Plaza
- 9:00 p.m. (approximately): student ceremony after the soccer game in the Pilot House with free food and music
Nastacia Voisin is a reporter and copy editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at voisin15@up.edu.
