Portland State Magazine

- “ PETER SIMON AN UNEXPECTED DUET GRADUATING MUSIC major Madisen Hallberg was selected by College of the Arts faculty to sing the national anthem for Portland State University’s virtual commencement this June. While she rehearsed in the Park Blocks, a professional opera singer, Emmanuel Henreid, passed by and asked if he could join in.Te result was a beautiful duet that has inspired viewers around the world.Te viral video was featured on ABC World News, NBC’s Te Today Show, NPR, and dozens of other national media outlets, and as a result, it has been viewed more than 500 million times online. PSU’s Ofce of University Communications estimates adding broadcast views would bring the total number of views to approximately 1 billion. Watch the full- length performance at pdx.edu/unexpected-duet . FIRST COHORT OF STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES GRADUATES PORTLAND STATE University’s 2020 virtual commencement was the frst of its kind in more ways than one. Five students with Down syndrome—the frst cohort of the Career and Community Studies program— graduated with a four-year certifcate. Launched in 2016 and funded by a fve- year federal grant, the program’s focus is providing access to a typical post-secondary education experience for students with intellectual disabilities who are traditionally left behind. Students take classes aligned with their career interests and are encouraged to participate in campus life and activities. Te frst fve graduates were Rachel Esteve (pictured), Lucy Balthazaar, Wyatt Isaacs, William Larson and Sawyer Viola. Tis fall, the program includes 15 students. “Other people have assumptions that we can’t go to college,” Balthazaar said. “And I think we need to make it clear that we are not less, we can go to college and we are beautiful people.” —KATY SWORDFISK HARRY ESTEVE INSTAWORTHY PSU Here are some of our favorite PSU Instagram photos from the past few months. Tag up with #portlandstate , #portlandstatealumni , or #proudviks . LEFT: Faculty welcomed students to remote classes with inspiring and funny welcome videos. CENTER: Esmeralda Valdez ’20 posted this perfect depiction...of the class 2020” (photograph by Lupe Juarez ’18) RIGHT: The usually bustling Park Blocks offered a quiet spot for reading on the first day of a mostly remote fall term. FALL 2020 // 9