PSU Magazine Winter 1999

1 I Sen. Mark 0. Hatfield PSU school named for five-term senator Urban and Public Affairs was named in his honor. The Mark 0. Hatfield School of Government was dedicated officially last spring at a dinner attended by more than 900 people, including business and govern– ment leaders and U.S. Sens. Howard Baker and Nancy Kassebaum Baker. Upon his retirement from the Senate in 1997, Sen. Hatfield joined the faculty at PSU, where he holds the title of Distinguished Professor of Government. Hatfield lectures regularly at PSU.The School of Government will receive $1 million appropriated by Congress in honor of Sen. Hatfield. of major campus bui lding projects such as the Urban Center and the Community Recreation Field. Academica lly, our nationally recognized undergrad uate cur– riculum continued to capture attention and support from institutions and foun– dations, and we added new graduate and professional certificate programs to better serve the region. Last year also set a record for philanthropic support of PSU, bringing more than $ 10 million to the University and its programs. However, as exc iting as our accom– plishments were last year, there is an even greater sense of excitement about the year ahead, and therein lies the promise. This year we hope to begin imple– mentation of a new public funding model for the Oregon University System, a mode l that marks the dawn of a new era in O regon higher education in which each individual institution assumes key ty fo r the University. In turn, the University's elevated profile and achieve– ments, such as the new Urban Center project, resulted in record-breaking pri– vate gifts to the PSU Foundation for sup– port of Un iversity programs. The total in private gifts to the Foundation leaped ro $7 .4 million in 1997-98, from $2.8 mil– lion only two years ago. The Foundation's endowment grew 28 percent in 1997-98. These fund -ra ising successes were the result of visionary and dedicated teamwork at all levels across campus, led by Vice President for Uni versity Relations Gary Withers. They are also a result of Foundation Board members ris– ing to a new level of per onal commit– ment and volunteer ded ication. We also welcomed to this team new Foundation Executive Director Jan Kurtz, a PSU alumna. All of the Un iversity and Foundation efforts are we ll coordinated and focused on long- term achievements responsibi lities for its own financial future. Your continued support for PSU wi ll be crucial to our success in meeting the challenges of this new era. Working together, we will take Portland State to its rightful place in the forefront of higher education. Sincerely, 41./~=±: President, Portland Stare University dedicated to accomplishing PSU's mission. The final credit for these successes belongs with you, our friends, for the leadership you provide the University through your financial support and per– sonal commitment. Thank you for join– ing us on our journey forward. ~ti~ Douglas S. Stirling ~ _ ./ President, PSU Foundation Board