PSU Magazine Winter 1992

ACHIEVEMENT Merrill, the library's five-story curved glass wall has provided a much-needed focal point on the Park Blocks campus. In front of the glass wall is a cop– per beech tree planted more than a century ago. 'i The Millar Library joined the Center for Research Libraries, gaining access to extensive re– search materials available at member libraries across the nation. 'i The Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies at PSU received State Board approval and the en– dorsement of local governments in the region. The Portland City Council allocated $100,000 in start– up funding for the Institute, a collaborative pro– gram designed to provide regional academic and research expertise to governments in the metropolitan area. 'i The National Geographic Society designated PSU's Department of Geography to lead and coor– dinate the Oregon Geographic Alliance following a legislative agreement to match the Society's $50,000 annual contribution. The purposes of the Alliance are to improve the teaching of geography in elementary and secondary schools, to develop specialized educational materials, and to build public awarene s of the importance of the study of geography. This summer, the Alliance provided special training and materials to 24 Oregon teachers during a workshop at PSU. UNIVERSITY,COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS 'e The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the University became partners in a program funded by the National Science Foundation to encourage outstanding high school students to be– come scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. The Young Scholar Research Participation Pro– gram involves the tudents in scientific research programs conducted by University faculty. The stu– dents also will conduct their own research projects for presentation at a seminar at PSU. 'i Mentor Graphics Corporation and the University formed a partnership to establish a cor– porate-subsidized, accredited child development center at the company's new Wilsonville site. Mar– garet Browning, director of PSU's Helen Gordon Child Development Center, became a full-time Mentor employee but continued to direct the PSU program. FIVE 'i' PSU has entered into a collaborative agreement with Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories under which the University is granted graduate fellow– ships, a professorship and free supercomputer time. ·~ The Center for Software Quality Research was established at PSU to help Northwest companies develop high-quality software in a co t-effective manner. ·~ The Oregon Business Electronic Database, developed by PSU's International Trade Institute, opened for business international bu ine s in particular. Establi hment of the database was funded by the Oregon Trade and Marketing Center with an operational assis– tance grant from the Department of Agriculture. The database lists every company in the state with detailed information about Oregon's 10,000 manufacturers. ITI officials expect the major users to be marketers, companies looking for suppliers and international trade opportunities, and public agencie . Public libraries throughout the state also may offer limited access to the database.