Portland State Magazine Winter 2011

PARK BLOCKS Combining the Peace Corps and education GROWING UP in Pordand, Linda Centurion MS '07 never knew anyone who had served in the Peace Corps. But the Catholic school graduate hungered for international work experience and the opportunity to immerse herself in another culture. The cwo years Centurion spent in Paraguay as a special education reacher for the Peace Corps provided just char opportunity. le also caught her what it was like ro live on $112 a month, rake bucket baths, and walk an hour ro teach in a one-room schoolhouse. Now a counselor at Barlow High School in Gresham, Centurion is cell– ing her students about a new program at Portland State rhat combines Peace Corps experience with earning a master's degree. The University recently joined the Peace Corps Master's Incernarional program as an educational partner-the only one in Portland. Students spend one to rwo years in school and another 27 months as a Peace Corps volunteer. Applicants must first apply for PSU graduate admission and then apply to the Peace Corps, which can be a long process. The process is worth ir, says Centu– rion, who describes her service in rhe Peace Corps as "life changing." She is one of 662 PSU graduates who have volunteered since 1961. Read about some of their experiences and see arc and photos chat Centurion and otl1ers brought back ar an exhibit celebrating "Peace Corps: Fifty Years of Service," March 1 through June 12 ar the Oregon Hisrorical Society, 1200 SW Park, Portland. These pieces from Guatemala and Samoa were brought back by Peace Corps volun– teers who are sharing their mementos and their stories at an Oregon Historical Society exhibit, March 1 through June 12. Peace Corps volunteers may now earn a master's degree through a new PSU program. Named for a rabbi and pioneering scholar RABBI JOSHUA STAMPFER forged new territory in 1961 when he taught PSU's first Judaic studies class. Now, rhe University has named a new Judaic srndies professorship after Stampfer, who led Congregation Neveh Shalom in southwest Portland for four decades. The professorship will be the Pacific Norrhwesr's only designated profes– sorship in Israel studies and rhe fourth tenure-line faculty position in rhe Harold chnirzer Family Program in Judaic Srndies. "For me, rhe fulfillment of the professor oflsrael Studies is truly the realization of a dream," Srampfer said. "A university campus is the best venue for measured dialogue, debate, learning, and understanding, especially concern– ing complex topics like Israel." Srampfer, now rabbi emeritus ar Neveh Shalom, has left his mark on local and national organizations. He is a board member of the National Peace Now Organization as well as an appoin– tee on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. In 1983, he was one of rhe earliest visitors to Kaifeng, China, where he met with descendants of rhe ancient Jewish community there. The Judaic Studies program at the University was established eight years ago through a Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation $1 million chal– lenge grant. Students in the program examine all aspects of rhe history, religion, culture, and social and politica 1 foundations of the Jewish people. ■ A new professorship honors longtime Portland Rabbi Joshua Stampfer. WINTER 2011 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 5