PSU Magazine Fall 2003

AROUND THE PARK BLOCKS Teaching the Constitution James Madison, fourth U.S. president and acknowledged father of the U.S. Constitution, would be proud of Port– land State. A prestigious fellowship named in his honor has gone to a PSU student three out of the past five years. The James Madison Fellowship is awarded yearly to one student from each state in support of fu ll-time grad– uate study Winners are either aspiring or experienced secondary school teach– ers of American history, government, and social studies. The grant covers up to $24,000 for two years of study Cathy Saks, David Douglas High School teacher and PSU student, won the fellowship this spring. Previous winners were Vickie Mashos in 2001 and Mindy Norton in 1998. "This is a notable accomplishment for our students," says Tim Garrison, history faculty and a steward for the fellowship on campus. Biotech foxes to guard Biotech chickens? Can a consortium of increasingly corporate-financed universities and corporate-derived nonprofits objec– tively "assess if relationships between universities and private biotechnology companies serve the public good?" ("What's Brewing in Biotechnology Food Laboratories,'' spring 2002 , PSU Magazine) Consider just one partner, Win– rock International. According to the National Institute for Research Advancement [Web site] , Winrock's budget of $32 million and assets of $73 million derive from national government (58%) ; interest/divi– dends, gains on investment (21 %); international organizations (U.S. AID, World Bank, Asian Develop– ment Bank, 14%); domestic founda– tions (Ford Foundation, Rockefeller 4 PSU MAGAZINE FALL 2002 $1 million donated for Judaic studies The University will create a certificate program in Judaic studies thanks to a $1 million pledge from the Harold Schnitzer family of Portland. The program is designed to collaborate with University of Oregon's Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies, which was established in 1998. Jordan Schnitzer, Harold's son, took the lead in crafting the family donation to PSU. lt will serve as a challenge grant that must be matched by community funds. The Portland State program will focus on the encounter of Jews and Judaism with the modern world. It will complement the UO program in fur– thering an understanding of Judaism and Jewish history as part of Western and world history. While the two programs will maintain separate identi– ties, they will work in conjunction with other colleges, universities, and community organizations as part of a L E T T E R S Foundation, 3%); private donations (2%); local or state government (1 %); foreign foundations (1 %) . How's that for independence from international market capitalism7 PSU Magazine goes on to say: "The study will not judge whether geneti– cally modified foods are good or bad." How can we decide if biotech indus– try/university collaboration "serves the public good'' without a measure of whether biotech products are good for the public? Corporations may avoid such self-scrutiny We poor public interest researchers can't afford such indulgence. Nathaniel Wander (Ph.D.) M.S. '94 Salem, Oregon Bad language discouraging I do not think the term "Damn" is nec– essary in the title of the article about statewide effort. Portland State will offer a certificate program combining foundation courses in Judaism and Jewish history with elective concentrations in Judaic studies. Up until now, Portland was the only major city on the West Coast without a Judaic studies program. Jordan Schnitzer received an Out– standing Philanthropy award from the University in May. A lifelong Portland resident and president of Harsch Investment Properties, Schnitzer has been an active leader in Oregon's civic and business communities and has been a supporter of Portland State for more than 10 years. He is invo lved in numerous civic organizations locally, including the University of Oregon Foundation and the Citizens Crime Commission, and with national orga– nizations such as the Trust for Jewish Philanthropy and the National Symphony Orchestra. D traffic in your PSU Magazine ("Damn That Traffic Jam," spring 2002). This title was used on the cover of your magazine as well. There are better ways to call atten– tion to your magazine contents than the use of bad language. Your magazine can influence people in a positive way and it should. The use of poor language does not entice me to read an article like that , it discourages. Joani Hamilton sent by email PSU Magazine wants to hear.from you. Send your comments lo PSU Maga;:inc , Portland State University, PO Box 751 , Portland OR 97207-0751; or to email address pswnag@pdx.edu . We reserve the right to edit.for space and clarity.