Portland State Magazine Winter 2017

WINTER 2017 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 1 2 FROM THE PRESIDENT The University as sanctuary LETTERS Deinum’s influence lasts a lifetime Defending English language classes PARK BLOCKS Dan Bernstine, former president, passes away A place for every student Four years free We’re ‘cool’ and ‘innovative’ Teaching from a Native American perspective Departments C O N T E N T S 11 14 Features 3 8 ON THE COVER Portland Community College student Nista Shrestha visited the state capitol in Salem last year while enrolled in a Portland State Center for Women’s Leadership program. See story on page 11. Photo by Katana Triplett. PORTLAND STATE M A G A Z I N E WINTER 2017 VOL. 31 | NO. 2 New paths toward a law degree Portable classroom like you’ve never seen them Opera composed for PSU singers IMPACT OF GIVING Sharing stories of generosity The gift of music A groundbreaking achievement Committed to equal access Faces in our future The next generation of inventors ALUMNI Reconstructing lives with microsurgery Alumni in the news GIVING Raising more than $1 million for students LOOKING BACK 50 years ago 26 28 29 16 TOGETHER FOR THE LONG HAUL Partnering with Daimler Trucks is giving students experience and jobs. PASSING THE TORCH Inspiring the next generation of women leaders. CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD What Antarctica is telling us about our warming planet. JUST ASK ROBERT Robert Mercer has helped countless student navigate their way to a PSU degree. 18 Page 14 4 page 4 page 19