Portland State Magazine Spring 2012

2 3 4 CONTENTS Departments FROM TH E PRESI DENT 6 FANFARE Urban renewal will jumpstart the Folkies forever city and PSU Front line therapy V for vegetables LETTERS Jazzed up A PSU history lesson New Works Watch out for crocs Giving her own high marks 18 GIVING Viking vessel Funding inventive solutions PARK BLOCKS 19 ATHLETICS Welcome to the USA Running fast Calling small businesses New tradition starts here Wind rw111el resting Wisdom for graduates 20 ALUMNI Reaching our to Seattle alumni Building a new online community Come back for PSU Week Against all odds Found in translation Millennial mind 28 LOOKING BACK The birth ofTirle IX ON THE COVER Mike was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old. Early intervention made a huge difference for this bright rhird– grader. Photo by Kelly James. See story on page 8. A new collection donated to the PSU Library gives a glimpse of what it was like for African Americans living in Portland in the 20th century. SPRING 2012 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 1