Donation for math and statistics department
by Virginia Vickery, Vanguard staff
Portland State President Wim Wiewel announced a $3.9 million investment for computational science in Portland State’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics from alumnus Fariborz Maseeh at an event this morning. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and Portland Mayor Sam Adams spoke at the event honoring Maseeh for the contribution made through his Massiah Foundation.
Adams thanked Maseeh and said, “The nation’s best urban university just got better.”
The department will be renamed the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The donation, which comes from Portland State's largest individual donor, will support upgrades in the department's facilities and will add three new faculty positions in computational science, five annual research fellowships, a lecture series and symposium, according to a university press release.
Maseeh previously made an $8 million gift to the College of Engineering and Computer Science, which was named in his honor. He has also been supporting scholarships and seminars at the Mathematics and Statistics Department for the past four years, according to the press release.
In addition to renaming the department, new faculty positions supported by his gift will be named the "Maseeh Distinguished Chair in Computational Mathematics" and the "Maseeh Professors in Computational Mathematics." The graduate research fellowships will be known as the "Eugene Enneking Fellows," after one of Maseeh's mentors at Portland State.
"With significant global competition facing us, now is the time to contribute to our educational institutions,” Maseeh said. “Investments fostering collaboration between academia and business will lead to useful and practical breakthroughs in the future.”
Computational scientists create computer simulations and data analysis tools that predict the behavior of extremely complex systems that shape everyday life, such as the atmosphere, oceans, tectonic plates, airplanes, freeways, cells and genes.
"Once again, Fariborz Maseeh is setting an example of excellence," Wiewel said. "His generosity shows the way to making [Portland State] the internationally competitive urban research university that Portland needs."
A first-generation American born in Iran, Maseeh received both his B.S. in structural engineering and M.S. in mathematics from Portland State, an M.S. in engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and has earned a doctorate of science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Maseeh founded, and later sold, one of the world's first and fastest-growing companies specializing in the custom design, development and manufacturing of tiny, micro-mechanical chips used in products ranging from cardiac pacemakers to aircraft landing gears. He serves on the advisory boards of a number of universities including Portland State, Michigan Institute of Technology, University of California Irvine and University of Southern California, according to the press release.
(Left) Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski (right) Portland Mayor Sam Adams.
TOP PHOTO: (Left to right) Kulongoski, Donor Dr. Fariborz Maseeh, President Wim Wiewel and Adams.
Photos courtesy of Rodrigo Melgarejo, Portland State Vanguard
The official opening of a Cycle Track on SW Broadway marks a new phase in Portland's development as a world-class bicycling city and reaffirms Portland State's commitment to sustainability. A Cycle Track protects bike riders from downtown traffic by placing them in a buffered bike lane between the curb and on-street parking. This event will be celebrated with a press conference for the demonstration project.
Opening remarks will be given by Portland Mayor Sam Adams followed by Portland State President Wim Wiewel. Also in attendance will be Scott Bricker, executive director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.
When: Today, Monday, August 31, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Portland State University between Neuberger Hall and Smith Memorial Student Union
Scott Gallagher Office of University Communications 503-725-8789 503-957-7545
The Bicycle Business League is an association of Portland businesses that are organizing to promote bicycling and livable streets as an integral component to healthy business and commerce. Www.bicyclebusinessleague.com.
We are kicking off our new program titled, "Ice Cream for Bike Lane Builders!"
The Bicycle Business League just received approval yesterday from PBOT's paving crew to deliver free ice cream treats to the crew on SW Broadway tomorrow at 1 p.m. Icicle Tricycles, a member of the BBL, will be donating free ice cream treats to show appreciation to the PBOT crew creating the new cycle facilities.
Please feel free to join us and witness our appreciation to these great workers who are improving Portland's safety.
The SW Broadway cycle track will improve cycling safety through PSU's campus with an innovative design.
The BBL and Icicle Tricycles feel that showing appreciation to these hard working crews is necessary to continue the cycle of support for transportation facilities that are safe for all users.
Ryan Hashagen Portland Pedalworks www.icetrikes.com 360-510-1818 portlandpedals@gmail.com
Beginning Sunday, August 30, MAX Yellow Line trains in downtown Portland will move to the new tracks on 5th and 6th avenues along the Portland Transit Mall. Also on Sunday, MAX Green Line trains will begin two weeks of test runs on the Mall and along I-205 before opening for service on Saturday, Sept. 12.
MAX service changes effective August 30
Yellow Line trains will operate on 5th and 6th avenues in downtown Portland between Union Station and PSU. The Yellow Line will no longer operate on SW 1st Avenue, Morrison or Yamhill. Outside downtown, the Yellow Line will continue to operate north to the Expo Center.
Schedules on all of the MAX Blue, Red and Yellow lines will be adjusted, with less frequent service in the early morning and late evening to offset a $31 million budget shortfall due to the continued recession.
Green Line trains will begin two weeks of simulated revenue service, running every 15-30 minutes on its planned schedule between Portland State and Clackamas Town Center, but will not pick up riders during this testing phase.
For complete TriMet schedules and trip planning, or to receive service updates by email, visit trimet.org or call 503-238-RIDE (7433) weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Green Line
In addition to Green Line trains operating in simulated service on the Portland Mall and along I-205, operators will be testing schedules, coordination with buses and other MAX lines, signals and other systems. Construction work is wrapping up that includes final bus and MAX station elements being installed.
Mall safety patrols
With MAX trains operating on the Portland Mall starting August 30, TriMet is stepping up safety patrols to educate motorists and bicyclists about the dedicated transit and travel lanes on 5th and 6th avenues. On Monday, August 31, officers will increase patrols on the Mall, focusing on the area between Burnside and Jefferson. Violators disobeying a traffic control device will be subject to appropriate enforcement actions including citations.
Opening Day Sept. 12
The Green Line opens Saturday, September 12, with opening ceremonies in the morning at Clackamas Town Center TC and PSU Urban Center as well as celebrations at stops along the alignment, including Pioneer Courthouse Square and Clackamas Town Center. Free rides on the Green Line begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue through the end of service.
About the project
MAX Green Line, TriMet’s fifth MAX line, will add 8.3-miles of light rail between Gateway Transit Center and Clackamas Town Center, and to 5th and 6th avenues in downtown Portland between Union Station and PSU. It is the first light rail extension into Clackamas County. It will serve the heart of downtown Portland and the busiest transit destination in the TriMet system—PSU. It will also help revitalize the Mall and poise the region for future rail extensions.
Fourth Annual Portland Brain Tumor Walk Raises Critical Funds for Brain Tumor Research
Who: National Brain Tumor Society East Coast Office: 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D, Watertown, MA 02472
What: Fourth Annual Portland Brain Tumor Walk
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 Registration: 8-9 a.m. Program and activities: 9 a.m. to noon.
Where: Willamette Park 6599 SW Beaver Ave., Portland, OR 97239 (on Nebraska off SW Macadam)
Fees: Free for ages 5 and under; $15 for ages 6-17; $35 for adults and on the day of the event. The registration fee includes an event t-shirt, food and beverages and full access to all event activities.
Description: An inspirational fundraising walk and community day to support vital brain tumor research and patient services at the National Brain Tumor Society. All ages welcome. Form a team of family, friends, or co-workers and help make a difference in the fight against brain tumors! Optional 5K walk (wheelchair & stroller accessible) with food, music, prizes and more.
Why: Brain tumors have no boundaries; they affect individuals of all ages, ethnicities and health histories. Over 500 Americans are diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor every day. That’s more than 190,000 people per year. Brain tumor research is under-funded, and greater public awareness of the problem is needed. Brain tumors are a leading cause of solid tumor cancer deaths in children and young adults. Brain tumors cannot be prevented because their causes are unknown.
Local: Hundreds of families in the Portland area have been affected by brain tumors. As patients, survivors or caregivers, these local residents comprise a community with a compelling story of survival and hope. Contact us to reach local spokespersons for overviews of their stories.
(Left) Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski (right) Portland Mayor Sam Adams.
