PSU Magazine Spring 2003

HILANTH High school artists benefit from DePreist Professorship lsaka Shamsud-Din '99, MFA '01 believes in the power of art. As the inaugural James DePreist Professor of Ethnic Art, his mission is clear-to help young students of color find a voice through artistic expression and encourage them to develop that voice through continued art education. The first step' Guiding Portland's Roosevelt High School students through the creation of a multicultural heritage mural on their campus. Working with high school students is a natural way to prepare them for college, Shamsud-Din says, while "Nez Perce Family," a 30-inch bronze sculpture by Doug Hyde, is one of the works donated for the Native American Student & Commu– nity Center, which will open in fall 2003. 28 PSU MAGAZlNE SPRlNG 2003 introducing them to the variety of careers available to artists, including product design and advertising. "l know a local painter who does murals for NASA," says Shamsud-Din. "Many of the images they use to explain space exploration missions in the media are his work. 1 was a painter for almost 35 years before 1 came to PSU , and 1 did all kinds of things. There's almost no limit to the possibili– ties for an artist." Offering students a role model can have a tremendous impact. "We won– der why kids lack interest in school, but so many never see themselves in the curriculum, or in roles of author– ity," he says, "and many haven't ever had a black instructor. There's obvi– ously a lot of talent being lost, to the cost of our whole community." The Roosevelt mural will chronicle life in Portland over time-highlight– ing the richness of its diverse cultural heritage. For students who haven't encountered many positive references for their culture, Shamsud-Din says, the mural can be an opportunity to discover its strength. "You can appreciate other people, but somewhere along the line you also have to appreciate yourself." His group of Hispanic, African American, Asian, and white students reflect Roosevelt's diverse student population. Together they will concep– tualize scenes for the mural, collect resource materials, draft rough sketches, learn mural installation tech– niques , and paint. A celebration unveiling the mural is planned for the spring. The James DePreist Professorship , named in tribute to the Oregon Sym– phony's renowned conductor, is creat– ing new opportunities in art education for students from traditionally under– represented backgrounds. Donors Harold and Arlene Schnitzer are lead– ing the fundraising effort and provided a major gift to create the endowment. "Regardless of what career path is cho– sen in life, one's humanity can be enhanced through some connection with art," says Arlene Schnitzer. The University plans to raise a total of $1.2 million to fund the professorship in perpetuity. Ultimately, the professorship is about helping young people to recog– nize their abilities and pursue their dreams. Shamsud-Din tells his stu– dents to carry a sketch pad with them at all times and record whatever comes into their heads: "Don't you ever think your ideas aren't important. " Alumni couple funds business research How are companies managing chang– ing technology and implementing new ideas in today's rapidly evolving busi– ness environment' A major gift from Gary '67 and Bar– bara '68 Ames is helping PSU's School of Business Administration answer these and other questions. Professors Pamela Tierney and Melissa Appleyard. now hold the newly created Ames Professorships in the Management of Innovation and Technology. Tierney's research focuses on micro and macro factors influencing the initiation stage of the innovation process in corporate settings. A PSU faculty member since 1991 , she earned a doctorate in organizational behavior from University of Cincinnati. Apple– yard, who came to Portland State this year, investigates topics in technology and innovation management as well as business policy and strategy. She has a Ph.D. in economics from University of California at Berkeley and was on fac– ulty at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration of the Univer– sity of Virginia. D