PSU Magazine Winter 2001

PH I L A N T H R 0 p y I N ACTION New library research center funded Major gifts from four individuals will change forever the way students, fac– ulty, and community patrons use the Branford P. Millar Library. Contributions totaling over $600,000 from James E Miller, the estate of Marie Brown, Elizabeth Chuck Putney (left to right), representing contributor James F. Miller, celebrates with Library Director Tom Pfingsten and contrib· utor Robert Williams. Swindells, and Robert and Joan Williams will match state and federa l funds to con– struct a new $2.86 million Library Research Center on the second floor of the Millar Library. The Cen– ter will create a single ini– tial point of access to the Library's extensive collections and the vast informational resources avai lable worldwide. By consolidating state-of– the-art reference resources and highly skilled personnel, says Director Tom Pfingsten, "we will greatly improve the ability of librarians to serve PSU students, faculty, and the community as a whole." As the largest academic library in the region, the Millar Library is the PSU resource area residents most often use, and the hub of the Portland Area Library System (PORTALS), a 16- member consortium of academic and research libraries. With the comp le– tion of the Research Center, the Library will be equipped with the most advanced tools to guide users toward their research goa ls. "Thanks to these generous donors," Pfingsten notes, "the Millar Library continues to be the heart and sou l of a great urban university." Portland Mayor Vera Katz (top photo) talks with guest speaker Mario Cuomo at a dinner honoring Don Frisbee (left) and Mary Clark (above, left), seen here with Gerald Frank and Christina Friedhoff. Portland-area philanthropists honored Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo was the keynote speaker at a dinner honoring three Oregonians who are giving back to the commu– nity. Mary C lark and her husband, Mau– rie C lark, and Don Frisbee received the second annual Simon Benson awards on November 14. The award, which was named after early philan– thropist S imon Benson, honors indi– viduals who have demonstrated the same commitment to Oregon as Ben- son did in the early 20th century. Mary and Maurie C lark are long– time supporters of education around the state. Don Frisbee, former chair– man of PacifiCorp, has contributed to dozens of Oregon-based institutions and organizations. Cuomo, governor of New York from 1983 to 1995, shared his perspective on the role and responsibilities of gov– ernment in American life. Last year's event featured U.S. Secretary of State– designate Colin Powell. D WINTER 2001 PSU MAGAZINE 15