Portland State Magazine Winter 2010

2 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE WIN ER 20 10 FROM THE PRESIDENT A gift of numeric proportions PEOPLE I NV EST in retirement accounts, property, and stocks all the time. Bue how does one invest in a region? Portland State alumnus Fariborz Maseeh knows the answer-invest in the largest urban research institution in Oregon, invest in PSU. Dr. Maseeh, who five years ago gave $8 million to our Engineering and Computer Science program, presented PSU with $3.9 million for computational science in December. It's important to note that Dr. Maseeh did not perceive this money as a gift. Instead, he viewed it in the same manner as Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Portland Mayor Sam Adams, and others– as an investment in the region . Computational science is a discipline that allows researchers to model complex systems such as brain function, regional freeways, even climate change in order to test theories and predict behavior. Research in computational science is not an end in itself, but the beginning of research yet to be done in health, finance, engineering, sustainability, and more. And as the governor and mayor noted at the event announcing the investment, expertise in computational science not only creates graduates who will contribute to the well-being of the region, it allows for industry partnerships that will advance economic development for Portland and the rest of the state. Industry representatives agree. Anne Hoot, vice president of business support at The Standard, spoke at the announcement. Already impressed with the talent of our graduates, Ms. Hoot-an actuary-said she wishes she could have benefited from Maseeh's gift, but knows that The Stan– dards' future employees now can. Alumnus Gordon Brinser MBA '77, vice president of operations at SolarWorld USA, discussed how his company's scien– tists save money and time using computa– tional science in the design and testing of solar cells. The success of these businesses is integral to building economic stability in our region. They are our partners and the future employers of our students. They need us and our research as much as we need them to be successful. Dr. Maseeh's investment will help that happen and will ensure that the Fariborz Maseeh Department ofMath– ematics and Statistics becomes a nation– ally recognized center for computational research and instruction . Dr. Maseeh understands that investing in education results in the highest returns. After all, life is a numbers game, and thanks to Fariborz Maseeh, PSU will be a leader in studying it. WimWiewel PRESIDENT, PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY, STAFF, AND PORTLAND community members turned out for the December 7 announcement of an investment in computational science from alumnus Fariborz Maseeh, pictured (top right photo, middle) with event speakers Gov. Ted Kulongoski and President Wim Wiewel. Industry leaders (top middle photo, left to right) Anne Hoot, The Standard, and Gordon Brinser MBA '77, SolarWorld USA, wait to speak with Eugene Enneking, professor emeritus of mathematics and statistics and a mentor to Maseeh. Photos by Kelly James.