News
Congress Makes Additional $2 Million Commitment to Portland State Engineering
The U.S. House and Senate are expected to reach agreement tonight or tomorrow on House Joint Resolution 2 (H.J. Res. 2), making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2003, and providing $2 million in funding for Portland State University's Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology.
Portland State will receive $1 million in funding from the Department of Commerce and $1 million from the Department of Education. Today's designation will leverage an additional $2 million and moves the University closer to meeting the matching requirements for state bonds already authorized for the project.
"PSU's College of Engineering and Computer Science is crucial to our region's economic vitality. Our future depends on the new technology innovations that PSU engineering faculty and students will develop," said Congressman David Wu. "This funding will help the University serve more students, increase research, and build national distinction for its signature centers."
"Investing in high quality education projects like PSU's proposed Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology means long-term job security for Oregonians and a successful future for businesses in our state," said Congressman Earl Blumenauer. "I will continue to be a strong supporter of the center and look forward to attending ground-breaking ceremonies."
"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 serving more students through the new Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology."
"Portland State University and the College of Engineering and Computer Science are extremely grateful for the continued support we have received from the entire Oregon delegation," said PSU President Daniel O. Bernstine.
"We are especially thankful for this support given the tough economic challenges facing Oregon and the nation. This funding puts Portland State that much closer to breaking ground for the Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology, and that much closer to creating new jobs, generating research that encourages innovation, and supporting the growth of Oregon's knowledge-based economy," said President Bernstine. "I want to give special thanks to Senator Gordon Smith and Congressmen Blumenauer and Wu who worked with the Congressional leadership to secure this funding."
The Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology will serve as the new home to PSU's College of Engineering and Computer Science, furthering the college's longstanding commitment to make quality engineering education accessible throughout the community. Plans for the new engineering facility include 130,000 square feet of laboratories, classrooms and faculty office space. Plans also 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 center will facilitate the learning and research for newly educated and experienced engineers to work side-by-side in lifelong learning activities; will support direct collaborations with industry; and will provide space for laboratories that meet industry specifications for research in emerging high technology and engineering areas.
PSU's College of Engineering and Computer Science experienced a 15-percent increase in enrollment this fall, bringing its student body to 1,964 students. The college is well on its way to doubling enrollment and graduates by 2007, three years earlier than requested by the Oregon Legislature. The college has also experienced significant growth in research and faculty - this fall its research expenditures had grown 19 percent over the previous year; over the past two years, the college has increased faculty positions from 55 to 72. In addition, the college has added a number of teaching and research labs, including the Integrated Circuits and Design Test Laboratory, the only one of its kind at an American college or university, and the Intel Microcomputer Engineering Laboratory, which gives students access to software and machines that will better prepare them for careers in the high-tech field.
For additional information on the Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology please contact David Santen in the Office of Marketing and Communications at 503-725-8789.
Portland State will receive $1 million in funding from the Department of Commerce and $1 million from the Department of Education. Today's designation will leverage an additional $2 million and moves the University closer to meeting the matching requirements for state bonds already authorized for the project.
"PSU's College of Engineering and Computer Science is crucial to our region's economic vitality. Our future depends on the new technology innovations that PSU engineering faculty and students will develop," said Congressman David Wu. "This funding will help the University serve more students, increase research, and build national distinction for its signature centers."
"Investing in high quality education projects like PSU's proposed Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology means long-term job security for Oregonians and a successful future for businesses in our state," said Congressman Earl Blumenauer. "I will continue to be a strong supporter of the center and look forward to attending ground-breaking ceremonies."
"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 serving more students through the new Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology."
"Portland State University and the College of Engineering and Computer Science are extremely grateful for the continued support we have received from the entire Oregon delegation," said PSU President Daniel O. Bernstine.
"We are especially thankful for this support given the tough economic challenges facing Oregon and the nation. This funding puts Portland State that much closer to breaking ground for the Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology, and that much closer to creating new jobs, generating research that encourages innovation, and supporting the growth of Oregon's knowledge-based economy," said President Bernstine. "I want to give special thanks to Senator Gordon Smith and Congressmen Blumenauer and Wu who worked with the Congressional leadership to secure this funding."
The Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology will serve as the new home to PSU's College of Engineering and Computer Science, furthering the college's longstanding commitment to make quality engineering education accessible throughout the community. Plans for the new engineering facility include 130,000 square feet of laboratories, classrooms and faculty office space. Plans also 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 center will facilitate the learning and research for newly educated and experienced engineers to work side-by-side in lifelong learning activities; will support direct collaborations with industry; and will provide space for laboratories that meet industry specifications for research in emerging high technology and engineering areas.
PSU's College of Engineering and Computer Science experienced a 15-percent increase in enrollment this fall, bringing its student body to 1,964 students. The college is well on its way to doubling enrollment and graduates by 2007, three years earlier than requested by the Oregon Legislature. The college has also experienced significant growth in research and faculty - this fall its research expenditures had grown 19 percent over the previous year; over the past two years, the college has increased faculty positions from 55 to 72. In addition, the college has added a number of teaching and research labs, including the Integrated Circuits and Design Test Laboratory, the only one of its kind at an American college or university, and the Intel Microcomputer Engineering Laboratory, which gives students access to software and machines that will better prepare them for careers in the high-tech field.
For additional information on the Northwest Center for Engineering, Science, and Technology please contact David Santen in the Office of Marketing and Communications at 503-725-8789.
Profile
Dr. James F. Pankow »
Professor of Chemistry and Civil & Environmental EngineeringFellow of the Institute for Sustainable Solutions Ph.D.