[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 23 (Monday, February 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1311-S1312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, this year marks the 50th anniversary 
of Portland State University [PSU], Oregon's urban university. In its 
short life, the university has evolved into a national model for how 
higher education can be integrated into urban communities through 
service learning directed at taking on thorny urban problems. What this 
means is that instead of just focusing on ethereal academic concepts, 
PSU staff and students roll up their sleeves and connect concepts with 
community, and knowledge of an academic subject with real world 
applications.
  In 1946, Portland State University began as an extension school to 
serve returning World War II veterans. Today, the university serves 
more than 37,000 individuals every year, offering a wide range of 
undergraduate and graduate degree programs. What's more, since its 
extension school days, PSU's mission has shifted to showing how town 
and gown can work together to build the communities of the future.
  When innovative community programs in the Portland metropolitan area 
are brought to my attention, often I find that PSU is in the thick of 
things. One program that I am involved with is PSU's partnership with 
the Police Activities League [PAL] in sponsoring the National Youth 
Sports Program on campus every year. The program provides at-risk 
youngsters with a structured summer program which emphasizes sports, 
positive decisionmaking skills, and education. PSU does more than just 
provide the facilities--in keeping with its mission, university faculty 
consult with PAL in developing curriculum for the program and students 
are active participants in running the program. The collaboration 
doesn't just stop at the end of the summer. Throughout the year, PSU 
and PAL work together to involve these youngsters in positive programs 
and encourage them to work toward a college degree.
  PSU has also tapped into emerging technologies to both strengthen the 
university and the community. One of the most innovative uses of 
technology is its PORTALS program, or the Portland Area Library System. 
PORTALS is a cooperative endeavor linking public and private 
institutions throughout the Portland area to an electronically 
accessible research library, with PSU as its hub. The States of Oregon 
and Washington both stand to benefit from the new resources available 
through this innovative project.
  These programs are just the tip of the iceberg of the university's 
involvement, PSU runs teacher academies to help local teachers get in-
service education. PSU students, who are all required to be involved in 
community projects, work at local community-based organizations such as 
community health centers, schools, and after-school programs.

[[Page S1312]]

  It is thus no surprise that PSU has received a number of national 
awards for its innovative curriculum and for its work serving the 
metropolitan community and the State. Last year, the school received 
over $3 million from foundations and Federal agencies to support its 
cutting-edge undergraduate curriculum. For the same reason it is also 
has been recognized by the American Association of Higher Education, 
the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the 
Interstate Commission on Higher Education as a national model for 
innovative undergraduate education.
  The 50th anniversary is a time to celebrate the achievements of the 
past and look forward to the innovations and adventures of the future. 
The faculty, staff, and students at Portland State University, past and 
present, deserve our congratulations on a remarkable history and our 
best wishes for future success.

                          ____________________