News

(Portland, Ore.) September 21, 2011 — Portland State University president Wim Wiewel outlined a five-point vision for the future of the University today at PSU’s annual convocation. The event for PSU faculty and staff is held each September to celebrate the opening of the academic year.

Wiewel spoke to a packed audience of some 450 faculty and staff members at PSU’s Hoffman Hall. He focused on the notable successes of the recent past – including a 60 percent increase in research funding over the last three years, a 22 percent increase in philanthropy, the commencement in June of the largest graduating class ever from an Oregon university, and an overwhelmingly high public perception of PSU from a recent poll – and used it to frame an ambitious set of goals for the coming year.

Those goals centered around partnering with public and private institutions, improving student success, achieving global excellence, enhancing educational opportunities through diversity and reaching out to public schools.

On the topic of global excellence, Wiewel recalled a trip he took over the summer to Indonesia, and the admiration the people there had for the American university system.

“In this climate in which people are wondering if college is worth it, just know that we are still the dream higher education destination for people from all over the world,” he said. 

Wiewel said that part of the future success of PSU centers on managing enrollment, which includes striking a balance between attracting new students – including out of state and international students – without overstretching the University’s ability to provide quality education. PSU created a new top-level position in June to manage those issues.  Jackie Balzer, the University’s vice provost for student affairs, was appointed to the new post as vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. 

In addition to President Wiewel’s speech, the event included an introduction by Provost Roy Koch of the recipients of this year’s Employee Excellence Awards. The award recipients were:

• Laurie Powers, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Regional Research Institute for Human Services, School of Social Work, recipient of the Millar Award for Faculty Excellence
• William Tate, Professor of Theater Arts, College of Fine and Performing Arts, recipient of the Hoffman Award for Faculty Excellence
• Cristine Paschild, University Archivist and Head of Special Collections, Library, recipient of the Butler Award for Library Faculty Service
• Daniel Fortmiller, Associate Vice President for Academic and Career Services, Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, recipient of the Cumpston Award for Service to Students

About Portland State University (PSU)

Located in Portland, Oregon, PSU has about 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students. PSU’s motto is “Let Knowledge Serve the City,” and it provides every student with opportunities to work with businesses, schools and organizations on real-world projects. Its downtown campus exhibits PSU’s commitment to sustainability through green buildings and business practice. Sustainability is incorporated into much of PSU’s curriculum.