Portland State Magazine Fall 2016

WHEN I ACCEPTED the appointment as Portland State president back in 2008, a friend told me, “You know Wim, this isn’t a job, it’s a life.” I have to say he was absolutely right. And what a life it has been! Leading this dynamic and wonderful— and yes, sometimes a bit quirky— University has been an exhilarating, humbling and all-consuming experience. So it was with mixed emotions that I announced in July that I am stepping down at the end of the upcoming academic year. I gave what amounts to a year’s notice to allow the PSU Board of Trustees ample time to conduct a national search for my replacement. I am confident they will find someone who will keep the University moving forward. In the meantime, however, I plan to be as involved as ever in the day- to-day operations of PSU and in laying the groundwork for its successful future. I have a long list of goals for my final year as president, but three stand out as key priorities. The College Affordability and Success Coalition. This innovative group, formed between influential business leaders and Portland State, has set its sights on coming up with $25 million each year in regional and other funding for PSU scholarships and student support. In my last letter, I described a proposed regional business payroll tax that would provide annual funding for PSU. This coalition replaces that effort, and it is my goal to have a plan well under way before I leave. Increased private giving. With the PSU Foundation under the new and capable leadership of William Boldt, we are moving forward with our $300 million comprehensive campaign. For PSU to thrive, we need to significantly increase our endowment. Our five-year roadmap. What I liked best about the development of our new strategic plan was the intense campuswide spirit of collaboration that went into it. I’m seeing that same spirit as we have taken our first steps in carrying out the plan. After I retire as president, I will take a yearlong sabbatical, then return as faculty in the College of Urban and Public Affairs. Alice and I have loved our time in Oregon and plan to remain active in the state, in Portland and at PSU. We are proud of what we accomplished these past eight years, but mostly we are thankful for this amazing opportunity to get to know so many friends and supporters among the alumni, faculty, staff, students and community leaders. The collective effort by all of you continues to build PSU’s reputation and importance in this region. There’s still much to be done, and we look forward to staying involved. Go Viks! Wim Wiewel PRESIDENT, PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY 2 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE FALL 2016 Fall 2016 / VOL. 31 NO. 1 EDITOR Kathryn Kirkland WRITERS Stephanie Argy, Harry Esteve, Suzanne Pardington PHOTOGRAPHERS Kelly James, Edis Jurcys, NashCO Photography, Peter Simon COPY EDITOR Martha Wagner DESIGN Brett Forman, Evan Kirkley LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 810 Market Center Building PO Box 751 Portland OR 97207-0751 503-725-4451, fax 503-725-4465 psumag@pdx.edu ADDRESS CHANGES Please go to the website www.pdx.edu/alumni/contact or call 503-725-4948 ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE Tom Bull, Executive Director Simon Benson House 1803 SW Park Ave. PO Box 751 Portland OR 97207-0751 503-725-4948 psualum@pdx.edu PSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES Pete Nickerson, Chair Swati Adarkar Erica Bestpitch MS ’12 Gale Castillo MA ’74 Sho Dozono MS ’69 Maude Hines Thomas Imeson Margaret Kirkpatrick Irving Levin Rick Miller MBA ’91 Steff Shao ’16 Lindsay Stewart Peter Stott HD ’11 Christine Vernier Wim Wiewel Portland State Magazine is published three times a year, during fall, winter and spring terms. Contents may be reprinted only by permission of the editor. The magazine is printed on recycled paper. Portland State University is an affirmative action / equal opportunity institution. Time for a new chapter F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T