News

Portland State University is honoring Mark Edlen with the President’s Award for Outstanding Philanthropy tomorrow, May 12, 2005, at the 16th annual PSU Salutes ceremony. PSU Salutes takes place from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the Columbia Falls Ballroom at PSU’s University Place (310 SW Lincoln).

PSU Salutes is the University’s annual event recognizing and honoring outstanding PSU alumni, faculty and friends for their dedication and continued support of both the University and the Portland community.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Philanthropy will be given to Mark Edlen in recognition of his generous support and partnership in building a strong University and urban community. Edlen‘s contributions through personal gifts and through his firm, Gerding/Edlen Development, have significantly advanced the progress of PSU’s Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology; The Broadway, a ten-story student housing and mixed-use complex; the Walk of the Heroines project, which is one of the nation’s few garden parks honoring the accomplishments of women from all walks of life; and the Mark and Ann Edlen Family Scholarship in Portland State’s new Center for Real Estate to name a few. Edlen is a former member of the PSU Foundation Board of Directors and is an exceptional advocate for Portland State in the community.

“Mark is a major force in advancing Portland State University on many fronts,” said PSU President Daniel O. Bernstine. “He and Ann have been personally generous in their support of students, and Mark is a true partner in building the future of the university district with his many contributions to vital campus projects. We are fortunate to have a Mark as a great supporter and friend of Portland State.”

Last fall, the University announced its $100 million Building Our Future campaign, which has contributed to much of the recent growth on campus, including capital projects such as the Native American Student and Community Center, the naming of the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology now under construction. The campaign has also helped to improve and upgrade research facilities and equipment, and endowed professorships and programs designed to attract and retain top faculty members, such as the James DePreist Visiting Professorship in Ethnic Art, Center for Professional Integrity and Accountability and the Center for Japanese Studies. In 2003-2004, nearly 1,500 scholarships supported by the Building Our Future campaign were awarded to Portland State students.

Source:
Mary Coniglio (503-725-5073)
PSU Alumni Relations

For Immediate Release (#05-072)