Portland State Magazine Fall 2011

THE KNOWLEDGE, an award-winning mural created by art professor Harrell Fletcher with assistance from Avalon Kalin, looms large at Southwest Fifth Avenue between Hall and College streets. A poll of faculty, staff, and students determined which PSU Library books were used. What do you know? Which London-born Oregon coach led his teams to 13 conference titles, 20 NCAA tournament berths, and 7 NCAA Final Four appear– ances? (Hint: it's not a PSU coach.) Which popular Oregon destination was once a social welfare project designed to help the poor become self-sufficient through farming? Stumped? (See answers below.) The online Oregon Encyclopedia of Culture and History can help. Factoids like chis are part of what make living in Oregon so interesting, but like all history, they can be easy to lose amidst the shuffie of papers and daily life. The encyclopedia was launched three years ago as part of the ramp– up for the state's 150th birthday. Founded as a partnership linking Portland State, the Oregon Council ofTeachers of English, and the Oregon Historical Society, the encyclopedia is a rich and growing trove of state history and culture. So far, more than 400 authors have written more than 850 online entries, and the site builders are willing to accommodate up to 5,000 entries, says Executive Director Bill Lang, a history professor at PSU. Topics range from art and architecture co literature, performing arcs, and music. "Our an1bition is to cover everyrhing about Oregon's history and culture, so in a sense we have no upper limit for the encyclopedia," Lang says. Editors pick enuy topics and select authors based on suggestions from a 26-member editorial advisory board and from the general public. With their help, the site continues to grow each week. As a reliable and easy-co-use source, the encyclopedia is particularly popular with teachers and students, says Lang. Answers. Clive Charles, beloved head coach at University of Portland; McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale. For more Oregon trivia, check out www.oregonencyclopedia.org . ■ FANFARE FALL 2011 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 7