News

The Department of Art in Portland State University's School of Fine and Performing Arts announced its intent to award a scholarship in the name of one of its students, Justin Eyerly, an Oregon National Guard soldier killed in Iraq June 4, 2004. Eyerly and two other Oregonians died aiding a fellow guardsman who came under attack. The death of these citizen soldiers was the worst loss of life for the Oregon National Guard since World War II.

"We in the Department of Art were very shaken to lose a young emerging artist and thought it would be a fitting tribute to honor the service of a talented and committed artist who had such clear plans for how he would use those talents," said Susan Agre-Kippenhan, chair of the Department of Art. "Like a lot of his peers developing their skills here at PSU, Justin worked in a variety of media and applied himself in the community. He had completed an internship with the Portland Trailblazers, helping to design their Web site."

Planning is underway to award a scholarship to a sophomore Art student this year with some existing funds from the School. The School hopes to increase that amount through donations. "Depending on contributions, we may be able to offer more than one scholarship," said Agre-Kippenhan.

"Justin talked about going to Italy to study art after his National Guard duty was done," said Sue Eyerly, Justin's mother. "I think Justin would like the idea of a scholarship for another art student."

Contributions to the Eyerly Scholarship Fund can be sent to the School of Fine and Performing Arts, P.O. Box 751 Portland, Oregon 97207-0751.

The mission of Portland State University's School of Fine and Performing Arts is to strengthen Portland's extended cultural community by providing outstanding professional training and
education in the performing and visual arts in partnership with the region's working artists and cultural institutions.

# # #