PSU Magazine Spring 1995

Lee Theisen, formerly of the Arizona Historical Society Foundation, is now executive director of the PSU Foundation. Foundation director named Lee Scott Theisen has joined the PSU Foundation as new executive director. He came to the Foundation in March from the Arizona Historical Society Foundation in Phoenix, where he had erved as executive director since 1990. Theisen (pronounced "Tyson") will be working closely with the PSU Office of University Development. He will help lead fund-raising efforts for PSU's planned construction of it $28 million Urban Center Building and University Plaza. The building and plaza are considered to be a signature project of the University District Plan. At the Arizona Historical ociety Foundation, Thei en was responsible for guiding the society' strategic planning, fund raising, and community relations, rai ing more than $3.5 million in pledges and $3 million in bequests. Theisen has al o erved as executive director of the Indiana State Mu eum and Historic Sites, director of the Central Arizona Museum of History in Phoenix, and as an exhibits officer and archivist for the National Archives in Washington, D.C. A native ofWisconsin who was reared in Iowa, Theisen holds a doctoral degree in American history with a minor in Latin American history and art from 18 PSU Magazine the University of Arizona . He also has an M.A. in American history and a B.A. in film, history and political science from the University of Iowa. "Lee will be instrumental in preparing us for the cha llenges of a major cap ital drive that will fund PSU's strategy to expand as a major, innovative urban university," say CD Hobbs, president of the PSU Foundation Board of Directors and vice president and chief operating officer of Hi-Tech Publications in Beaverton. The PSU Foundation is guided by a 33-member board of directors, represen– tative of civic, bu iness, and cultural leadership in the Portland metropoli– tan area. Six Portland-area civic and bu iness leaders have also recently been named to the Foundation board. They are Daniel Campbell, a vice president of Western Bank in Beaverton; Li a Magnuson, district manager for sales for Xerox Corp.'s Portland office; harle Mo se MPA '84, PhD '94, chief of the Portland Police Bureau; Anne Myers '94, community leader and co-founder of PSU Friends of History; R bert Sznewaj , executive vice president of upport services for U.S. Bancorp; and Edward Truax, a partner in Coordinated Financial Planning. For PSU's first librarian Friends of the Library have raised more than $9,000 for a memorial to Jean Black, Portland State's first librarian. "It has been a ucce sful and exciting first project for the Friends," say Peter Grundfo sen '58, '66 MST, a founding member. Alumni and facu lty formed the Friends group last year. It now boasts more than 100 members and a full board of directors. On June 22, the group has another fund-raising event planned. Charlie White, professor emeritus of history, will lead a tour of the Columbia River Gorge. The trip, which includes a box lunch and supper at the Hood River Hotel, costs $100 ($60 tax deductible). For re ervations call White at 725-3994 . Clemans leads the 50th Cha rles "Chuck" C lemans '56 , Portland State's 1994 Outstanding Alumnus, is anxious ly awaiting the kick-off of the University's 50th anniversary. C leman, a long-time Oregon educator, is the chair of the steering committee planning the event-a committee that has been meeting and coord inating efforts for well over a year. "This is a chance to celebrate what's been accomplished in the past, look forward to the future, and to have a good time," says C lemans, who erved on the first Alumni Board and a a pa t president. Today, in add ition to chairing the PSU 50th Anniversary Steering Committee, C lemans is involved with the Oregon C ity/West Linn Rotary C lub, is a board member of the Regional Arts and Cu lture Council (formerly Metropolitan Art Commi sion), and works as an education consu ltant representing management in collective bargaining. In 1990 C lemans retired after a decade of serving as superintendent of schools for Oregon City . What does the Portland State committee have planned for the 1995-96 school year? The 50th Anniversary will officially kick-off with PSU Weekend on October 28, 1995. The steering committee is also considering a lecture series, symposiums, on-campus historical displays, a vintage car parade, and a big birthday party for students, faculty, staff, alums, and the community. Alumni and friends of Portland State are asked to " tay tuned" and to come back for the University's 50th Anniversary.