Holiday Message

Happy New Year from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We hope 2006 was a wonderful year for you and wish you the best for 2007.

As we begin this New Year we are heartened that Governor Kulongoski recognizes the importance of higher education funding for the future of our state.

Specifically, the college has requests supported by the governor for the enhancement of Science Building 2 and for research on drug discovery and sustainability. Be sure to read about another milestone below—the dedication of our Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnology Institute research facility.

Marvin A. Kaiser
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Exhibit Leaves Message of Peace

Symbols of hope, messages of peace, and memories too important to forget stayed with those who attended the exhibition "Hiroshima-Nagasaki: An International Exhibit with a Message of Peace," presented in November by PSU's Center for Japanese Studies, under the direction of Professor Laurence Kominz.

The exhibition, which is traveling to 27 cities around the world, opened at PSU with a warm welcome by Portland Mayor Tom Potter. The exhibition included photographs, objects that survived the attack, personal accounts, and other pieces of interest. In addition to the exhibition, visitors attended talks by professor, survivors, and Japanese dignitaries.

Learn more about the Center for Japanese Studies.

Premier High-Tech Research Center Opens

On October 13th, PSU dedicated its Center for Electron Microscopy and Nanofabrication (CEMN), a signature research facility of the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) .The Center, directed by Professor Jun Jiao and managed by Assistant Professor Chunfei Li, is a state-of-the-art facility for training students in advanced research techniques and for providing companies access to powerful nanotechnology tools.

The facility's dedication event, attended by local and state business representatives and dignitaries, marked a great step forward in recognition of PSU's growing reputation as an important research institution.

Learn more about the CEMN research facility.

Gala Celebrates Scholarships for
27 Chicano/Latino Students

More than 600 guests enjoyed an evening of entertainment and celebration at the 10th annual Chicano/Latino Scholarship Gala on November 4th. Twenty-seven outstanding students were awarded scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000.

The event featured celebrity guest speaker Willie Barcena, a stand-up veteran comedian of film and television.

The Gala recognizes the achievements of the Chicano/Latino community and provides an opportunity for corporations, organizations and individuals to invest in the education of the fastest-growing ethnic population in Oregon and the United States.

See a list of this year's scholarship recipients.

The Walk of the Heroines:
An Inspired Holiday Gift!

If there is a special woman who has illuminated your life, you may honor her in a unique way on the Walk of the Heroines. Centered in the heart of the PSU campus, this beautiful garden park soon will be one of Portland's most inspiring new destinations. The names of heroines will be engraved on a series of arched slate walls. An educational kiosk will feature stories and photographs of the women honored. It is a place to celebrate and pay lasting tribute to women who have shaped our lives, our culture, our society.

Learn more about the Walk of the Heroines and the many honoring opportunities still available.

New Judaic Studies Minor Approved

More than 200 people turned out the night of December 7th to honor Dr. Robert Liebman for his key role in the creation of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies. At the event, Dr. Michael Weingrad was installed as the new director of Judaic Studies.

Together, Liebman and Weingrad were instrumental in the formation of a new minor in Judaic Studies.The 28-credit program will give students a broad understanding of Jewish history, religion, and culture in a variety of national and international contexts. Courses counting toward the minor are offered through Judaic Studies, History, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Sociology, and other departments.

Read more about the evening and about the program.

Associate Dean Grant Farr Testifies on Afghanistan

In September, Dr. Grant Farr testified before the U.S. Congress, House International Relations Committee about his research on U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan and the unintended effect of alienating moderate Moslem leaders who were generally disposed to be friendly to the United States. Farr suggested that these moderate Islamic leaders could offer an Islamic alternative to the more radical Islamic teachings and he recommended that the U.S. diplomatic mission in Afghanistan initiate contact with these leaders. It was an honor for PSU to have Dr. Farr called to provide his expertise.