November 23, 2009
THE LAST CURRENTLY for fall term will be published electronically Wednesday, December 2. Deadline for that issue is Wednesday noon, November 25. Currently will resume weekly publication the week of January 11.
Teaching the art of memoir
Truth may not always be stranger than fiction, but it can be a lot tougher. For Debra Gwartney, who teaches in PSU's new creative writing MFA program, storytelling demands honesty, whether in journalism, or essays, or her own critically acclaimed memoir of parenthood published in 2009. Everyone has a tale to tell—Gwartney helps her students find the nerve to tell theirs. Read more about outstanding PSU faculty >
Enrollment grows at Oregon universities
George Pernsteiner, chancellor of the Oregon University System, recently announced that enrollment reached a record 91,580 students for fall 2009, an increase of 5.8 percent over last year. This is the highest percentage increase for the Oregon University System since 2001 and the largest incoming class in history. Portland State experienced a 5.2 percent increase in overall enrollment, recording a headcount of 27,972 students. Read more >
A good match for outstanding teaching
Professors who are challenging, knowledgeable, engaged with students, and passionate about their subject are outstanding in the eyes of Portland State students. Scott Burns, who shared these findings at a recent Carnegie Conversation, epitomizes these traits say his own students. Colleagues listened, and surprised Burns at the event with a special certificate of appreciation for excellent teaching. Student praises for Burns were read aloud and displayed on a slide loop.
For more than a decade, Burns, chair and professor of geology, has coordinated the John Eliot Allen Awards for outstanding teaching in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He has always refused the nomination himself, saying it is conflict of interest. So at the Carnegie event, Dean Marvin Kaiser and Vice Provost Leslie McBride presented him with a special, one-of-a-kind teaching award. Read more >
Lab to receive $1 million federal appropriation
President Barack Obama has signed into law the 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, which includes a $1 million appropriation for the Green Building Research Laboratory at Portland State. The new lab supports fundamental and applied research for the green building industry and serves as a teaching resource for students studying building science. David Sailor, professor of mechanical and materials engineering, directs the lab. Read more >
Applications sought for Academic Innovation Mini-Grant programs
Faculty interested in academic portfolio development and those interested in producing a publishable case study of their community-engaged research project are invited to submit applications by mid-December for two Academic Innovation Mini-Grant programs sponsored by the Center of Academic Excellence.
Grants of at least $500 will be awarded to as many as 10 faculty chosen for the Academic Portfolio Development cohort, which will meet regularly and present a campuswide forum in May; applications are due Dec. 14. Experienced faculty, who are working on community-campus research projects, are invited to apply for the Community-Engaged Research Scholar program by Dec. 18. Eight participants will receive a minimum $1,500 grant to develop case studies that will help the University develop common metrics for community-engaged research. Read about the opportunities >
Bring holiday cheer to Portland's elderly
Fill a holiday stocking with a warm hat, new magazine, or a local grocery gift card for low-income older adults. The Institute on Aging and the Gerontology Association of Portland State are helping Northwest Pilot Project bring cheer to elderly, disabled, poor, and homeless people in downtown Portland.
Holiday Stocking Project drop-off boxes are located in the Smith Union Lobby; 341 Cramer Hall; Millar Library Lobby; rooms 350, 450, and 470 Urban Center Building; and 730 Market Center Building. You may also deliver your stocking to Northwest Pilot Project, 1430 SW Broadway #200. Contributions are needed by Dec. 10. For stocking stuffer ideas >
Women Vikings earn another Big Sky title
The volleyball team has secured its second Big Sky regular season title in three years. A win over Northern Colorado on Nov. 14 at Stott Center assured the team a Big Sky win even with one game to go in the regular season. The Vikings will enter the Big Sky Tournament as the No. 1 seed on Nov. 27 and 28. Read more >
For November 2009
Notices | People | Presented | Published/Exhibited | Grants