New Engineering Building to Expand the Capacity of the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer ScienceThe Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and the Maseeh College Dean’s Office have moved into the new engineering building in the Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology. The building was dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on May 9, 2006.
The new building connects to the Fourth Avenue Building, also part of the Northwest Center, which houses the Departments of Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Engineering and Technology Management. The Center combines programs previously distributed across campus, allowing for continued growth in research and enrollment. See PSU Insights article about the move to the new engineering building. Building AttributesThe five-floor tower hosts 41 new teaching and research laboratories, an auditorium, and office space. The extensive laboratories create enhanced teaching and research capabilities and increased collaboration with the region's technology and engineering community. Additionally, the new resources enhance the college's ability to continue to attract outstanding new faculty, ensuring that students receive a first-class education. Plans for the Northwest Center include the creation of a regional center to house the growing number of collaborative programs involving PSU, Oregon Health & Science University, and other institutions. The Northwest Center is located at 1930 SW Fourth Avenue adjacent to PSU's Fourth Avenue Building and the 1900 Building that currently houses the city of Portland's Bureau of Planning. All three buildings are connected on the lower level. Fundraising HistoryAt a public announcement ceremony in March 2004, PSU President Daniel O. Bernstine and Dr. Fariborz Maseeh, founder and president of The Massiah Foundation, announced the largest gift in Portland State University's history—$8 million from the foundation to the College of Engineering and Computer Science. With this gift, the college became the Fariborz Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. Of the $8 million gift, $6 million was used to support the construction of a new 130,000 square-foot tower, part of the Northwest Center. The remainder established two professorships, five student fellowships, and an endowment for the dean of the college known as the H. Chik M. Erzurumlu Dean of the college. "In our quest for excellence, this significant gift will help the college to advance its initiative of being regionally relevant and nationally prominent in a select core of disciplines that are most important to the current and future needs of the region," said Dean Robert D. Dryden. The Federal government has committed over $2 million toward the construction of the facility, including $400,000 in funds for the Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory, which is located in the Northwest Center. "PSU has demonstrated its commitment to providing high quality education and research in the engineering field," said Senator Gordon Smith. "This funding will enhance the University's efforts to build national distinction, attract top-rate faculty, and serve more students through the new Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology." The Northwest Center is also being funded by $26.5 million in general obligation bonds from the state of Oregon and $5 million from the city of Portland/Portland Development Center. Private fundraising includes:
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