Matthew Baasten:  

Recently, my teaching career has involved more and more administrative responsibilities. First, I served five years as chair of the Theology Department. During these years, I continued to teach two courses during the fall, spring and summer terms at University of Portland. I especially enjoy teaching a marriage course with a very good friend from the sociology department. Bob and I have taught this course at least twice each year, including three times in Salzburg, Austria, since summer of 2001. Then I served as the Associate Dean of students in our College of Arts and Sciences, while teaching three courses per year. My main duty was to work with students who were struggling academically or who were dealing with difficult situations, like a death in the family. It is exciting to watch students mature and grow academically. For the past five years, my main responsibilities were tied to my new role as Associate Provost. My friends like to tease me that I have gone over to the "dark side." All I know is that I have been busy working with students from all of o...Expand for more