PSU Magazine Spring 1998

Nonprofits-continued from page s Northwest through distance-learning programs that focus on nonprofit management and leadership educa– tion. Nonprofit organizations and their responsibilities are growing nationwide due to government restructuring and de-emphasis of federal and state programs in meeting community needs, says Robert Long, philanthropy and volunteerism director of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. "The big challenge is associated with resources," Long says. "The pool of resources isn't necessarily growing with the new responsibilities, which requires more effective leadership and management from among nonprofit groups. We were impressed with the capacity the Institute already has in place to deliver these kinds of manage– ment and leadership education programs." Working on Patience The Music Department is sharing opera in a unique way thi spring as it produces Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera Patience, May 29-June 6. The artistic staff is working with students from Portland's Roosevelt High School in all stages of the produc– tion. The students are learning about stage craft, costuming, lighting, as well as orchestral and vocal preparation. Glenn Ludtke, Roosevelt music instructor, is bringing students to production meetings, rehearsals, and a final evening performance. This rela– tionship was made possible by a Regional Arts and Culture Council grant. There are five performance of Patience scheduled in 175 Lincoln Hall. Cost is $15 for general admission and $12 for students. Ruth Dobson is artis– tic director, Huw Edward is conducting, stage design is by guest Patsy Maxson, Bruce Keller is the set designer, and Margaret Louise Hetherington is providing costume design. Education dean named Phyllis Edmundson, dean and professor at Eastern Washington University's College of Education and Human Development, is Portland State's new dean of the Graduate School of Education. She will officially begin duties July l. Edmundson was selected after a national search. The post has been held since 1986 by Robert Everhart. Everhart will remain as a professor and will work on special projects for the School. Edmundson has served as dean at Eastern Washington's College of Education in Cheney, Washington, since 1995. She previously was a professor of education in the Department of Foundations, Technology, and Secondary Education at Boise State University, where she also served as an associate dean in the College of Education. Edmundson began her education career in 1963 as a public school teacher in Pocatello and Boise, Idaho. FROM THE PRESIDENT In an article this winter about increased competition in higher education, Business Week magazine called Portland State "years ahead of other institutions" when it comes to academic and administrative innovation and serving the changing needs of students. Of course, those of you familiar with PSU have known this for some time now, but it's always nice to have your beliefs affirmed from the outside. At about the same time that the Business Week article appeared, the Governor's Task Force on Higher Education and the Economy recommended dramatic changes in Oregon's higher education system. Among the recommendations were a move to a more decen– tralized system and the adoption of policies and procedures that encourage individual institu· tions to be more entrepreneurial in responding to student and community needs. I welcome these recommendations for two reasons: 4 PSU MAGAZINE SPRING 1998 First, I believe that a university system which is more flexible and more attuned to the community's higher educa– tion needs and priorities will be a better system for all of Oregon. Second, I welcome these recommendations because, as the magazine said, PSU is "years ahead" in recognizing and meeting the needs of our constituents. In the coming months it will be our task to continue to focus on those things we do well, continue to encourage faculty to be entrepreneurial and engaged with the commu– nity, and continue building the private and political support that is so essential to PSU's future. I also believe that the campus environment must be as nurturing as possible for those of us who work and study here. We need to devote our attention to enhancing the student experience at PSU, from "first contact" to comple– tion of a degree. I have appointed a special commission to examine the issues related to campus climate and to recom· mend steps we might take to be sure that we are doing everything possible to help students attend PSU and succeed in their individual educational goals. We want to make PSU the institution of first choice for all students, not only from the metropolitan region but from throughout the state of Oregon, the nation, and the world. Dan Bemstine, President