M arch 1, 1995 • T he P ortland O bserver
P age A4
Plant Gets Lighting On Fast Track
The electricians had ju st 48
working days to preside lighting ser­
vice to Rundel Products' new 95,000
quare foot manufacturing facility in
Portland
The crew had 295 pieces ofhigh-
ly-specialized equipment to install,
energize and debug
“Pre-planning was paramount to
this project," said Rick Parrish,
project manager for Heil Electric.
“ But we had a good crew o f skilled
craftsmen who worked through the
tight time frame beautifully.”
Parrish is a member of the Ore­
gon-Columbia Chapter of the Nation­
al Electrical Contractors Association
and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, Local 48.
Rundel Products is the nation's
second largest manufacture o f cus­
tom binders and other specialized
packaging materials and the largest
west o f the Mississippi. It produces
custom products for companies like
Daytimers and Mentor Graphics.
Installing wiring for production equipment at Portland's new Rundel
Products manufacturing and warehouse facility is Jim Peed, a
member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
Local 48.
The large new facility is a dream
come true for the company, which
Jong ago outgrew itsold facility where
it had been operating on different
Foster Nomination Draws Support
President Clinton’s choice o f
Henry Foster to be the next U.S.
Surgeon General is drawing strong
support from the Coalition o f Black
Trade Unionists.
“ Dr. F o ster w ould brin g to
this p o sitio n the sam e en erg y ,
the sam e d e d ic a tio n , the sam e
leadership th at has ea rn e d him
national acclaim th ro u g h o u t his
d istin g u ish e d m e d ic a l c a r e e r,”
union o ffic ia ls said.
Foster was cited for developing
and directing innovative programs
aimed a, preventing drug abuse and
teenage pregnancy, such as the “ 1
have a Future Program,” which en­
courages youngsters to delay child­
bearing by boosting the ir self-esteem.
Foster has played a significant
role in training hundreds o f African
ically undeserved communities in the
inner city or poor rural areas, the
union representative said.
“ He is a role model, especially
for minority students in a profession
still lacking diversity,” the officials
said "It is disgraceful that Dr. Foster
has been the victim o f a smear cam ­
paign by radical right-wing groups.
The abortion issue is being used to
demonize doctors like Dr. Foster who
perform a legal medical service.”
The union has long advocated
responsible reproductive health po­
lices that protect a w om en’s right to
choose.
“ T he U nited S ta te s S enate
should not allow the nomination o f
Dr. Henry Foster to become a litmus
test for the radical right,” representa­
tives o f the union said.
Dr. Henry Foster
American medical professionals who
provide health care services for med-
Paragon Cable Airs
Telethon To Benefit
Kobe,Japan
A n n i versTrfiy
floors in separate buildings. Now, all
operations will be contained in one
state-of-the-art manufacturing and
warehouse facility.
CELEBRATION » /
¿The- s p o r t i a n i » ( © b s c r u t r
Paragon Cable cablecasted a
special telethon to help raise much
needed funds for the people o f Kobe,
Japan on Feb. 5.
This telethon, a national aid ef­
fort o f the cable industry, helped
survivors and the families o f victims
who have suffered through the worst
earthquake to hit Japan in more than
70 years.
Its hosts included well-known
Star trek actor George Takei, actress
Amy Hill o f All American Girl and
host o f the International C hannel’s
new teen show Pulse for Asian Amer­
icans, and Emmy Award-winning
b r o a d c a s te r/p ro d u c e r
M ario
Machado.
All donations from the telethon
will be delivered to the Japanese Red
Cross Society through the American
Red Cross.
Theisen Named As PSU Foundation Executive Director
Lee Scott Theisen has been
named as new executive director of
the Portland State University Foun­
dation
Dr. T h e ise n (p ro n o u n c e d
"Tyson") comes to the PSU Founda­
tion from the Arizona Historical So­
ciety Foundation in Phoenix, where
he served as executive director since
1990.
He will start his PSU Founda­
tion post in March, working closely
with the Office o f University Devel­
opment to help secure new donations
an gifts to meet Portland State's di­
verse urban and community-orient­
ed missions.
“This is a great period o f growth
for Portland State," said Theisen.
"This jo b provides an exciting op­
portunity to work for a university
that has dynamic leadership and a
clear idea o f its urban mission.”
At the Arizona Historical Soci­
ety Foundation, Theisen was respon­
sible for guiding the society’s strate­
gic planning, fund raising and com­
munity relations. During the past 4 1'
2 years there, the foundation raised
more than $3.5 million in pledges
and $3 million in bequests. Theisen
has more than 17 years o f fund-rais­
ing experience.
PSU selected Theisen from four
finalists as part o f its nationwide
search to fill the post, which had been
vacant since early last summer.
"Lee is the final key addition to
the development team at the founda­
tion,” said CD Hobbs, president o f
the PSU Foundation Board o f Direc­
tors and vice president chief opera­
tion officer o f Hi-Tech Publications,
Beaverton. "Lee will be instrumental
in preparing us for the challenges o f
a major capital drive to fund PSU’s
strategy to expand as a major, inno­
vative urban university."
“ Lee's enthusiasm, his broad-
based background and expertise made
him the perfect match for this posi­
tion," said Regina Borum, executive
OSU Presidential Scholar
Overcomes Obstacles On
Path To Success
Tara Johnson
At the start o f her high school
career, Northeast Portland resident
Tara Johnson fit the mold o f the
typical high school dropout. Low-
income and the oldest o f three daugh­
ters in a single-parent household.
But four years later. Johnson
beat the odds, graduating as Grant
High School'sonly accumulative4.0
valedictorian. Now, at 19, Johnson is
an Oregon State University presi­
dential scholar, studying bioresources
research and microbilology with an
eye to a career in plant genetics.
It's been a tough path for the
college freshman, w ith Johnson fac­
ing and o v e rc o m in g o b sta c le s
throughout high school, ranging from
racism to raising cash for college.
But it’s her m other's love and deter­
mination that has helped strengthen
her resolve to succeed, she said
. , mother. Lulu Stroud-Johnson,
said she's not involved in one-woman
heroics - just in raising her children
the way her parents raised her
"I was raised in a family that is
extremely strong and made it a point
to support the children." Stroud-
Johnson said. “So. you see. it is just
natural for me to support my chil­
dren I do what I have to do to em-
power my children, and hopefully, I
have empowered them "
Without a parent’s active in­
volvement, it’s not difficult for chil­
dren to fall victim to the stereotypes
that repress success, Stroud-Johnson
said. Then, filled w ith hopelessness,
children stop try ing an end up drop­
ping out o f school.
Countering racism also can be a
factor for minority students, both
mother and daughter said.
“ It's subtle, but racism is there,”
said Tara Johnson. “T here's a lot o f
it you encounter."
Stroud-Johnson, with co-speak­
er W ynonna Jackson, will discuss
racism in Portland Public Schools
during a free public forum at OSU on
Feb. 22. It will begin at 6 p.m. in
Room 206 o f O S U 's M em orial
Union, 26th and Jefferson.
Stroud-Johnson has two daugh­
ters still attending Portland's Public
Schools: Tova, 17, a Grant High
School senior, and Kelva, 15. aG rant
freshm an. B oth teens m aintain
straight-A grades.
Running a full-time typing busi­
ness out o f her home and struggling
to find time to be a mother. Stroud-
Johnson says she makes her chil­
dren's welfare a priority But even
the best parental efforts can fail if
children d o n 't develop their own
desire and determination, she added.
Tara, who follows an intense
study schedule, acknowledges that
she is driven to success But it was
only with her m other's encourage­
ment that she reached her goal o f
being named an OSU presidential
scholar, she pointed out.
Presidential scholars are con­
sidered the state's top students and
receive $2,490 a year toward tuition
expenses, said Donna Vuchinich,
OSU development officer. "The goal
o f the program is to encourage the
best and brightest to remain in O re­
gon."
“ My m om 's been my single
g re a te st e n c o u ra g e m e n t.” T ara
Johnson said. “Shetruly is a full-time
parent. She always encourages us to
do well in school and to get good
grades."
(Ebe ^Jortlanb ODbsmwr
welcomes health articles from
______ the community.
i
Lee Theisen, PSU Foundation
Executive Director
director o f PSU ’s Office ofU niversi-
ty Development. “Together we will
work toward helping PSU gam er the
resources needed to meet its priori­
ties and mission.”
Theisen will help lead fund rais­
ing efforts for PSU ’s planned con­
struction o f its $28 million Urban
Center Building and University Pla­
za. The building and plaza are con­
sidered to be a signature project o f
the University District Plan. The plan-
produced by PSU, the city o f Port­
land and Portland neighborhood
groups-helps guide new develop­
ment on the PSU campus and sur­
rounding neighborhood in south
downtown Portland. The Urban Cen­
ter Building is expected to house
PSU ’s urban-related programs, a dis­
tance-learning center and retail shops.
“The addition o f Lee as another
professional fund-raiser at PSU is
very important and is something I’ve
looked forward to for a long time,”
said Borum.
Prior to gaining directorship of
the Arizona Historical Society Foun­
dation, Theisen served as a market­
ing consultant in Indianapolis. From
1983 to 1989 he was executive direc­
tor o f the Indiana State Museum and
Historic Sites. From 1977 to 1983 he
was director o f the Central Arizona
Museum ofH istory in Phoenix. Prior
to that, he worked four years as an
exhibits officer and archivist for the
National Archives in Washington,
DC.
A native o f W isconsin who was
reared in Iowa, Theisen holds a doc­
toral degree from the University o f
Arizona in American History, with a
minor in Latin American History and
Art. He also has a M.A. degree in
American History and a B.A. degree
in Film, History and Political Sci­
ence from the University o f Iowa.
The PSU Foundation is guided
by a 33-member Board o f Directors,
representative o f civic, business and
cultural leadership in the Portland
metropolitan area. The Foundation
helps direct funds raised by PSU to
support a wide range o f activities,
including scholarships, faculty de­
velopment, research and education
equipment, and special programs and
speakers.
Family
Survives
Duplex Fire
Education Secretary Makes Oregon Visit
U.S. Education Secretary Rich­
ard Riley was in Oregon this week to
salute O regon's Goals 2000 plan, the
nation's first program setting aca­
demic standards for all students.
Riley was invited to speak at a
legislative forum at Willamette Uni­
versity in Salem and to carve an “Ed
Flex" provision in Goals 2000 which
will allow six states to grant waivers
o f certain federal regulations in or­
der to better serve students.
"The nation has turned its atten­
tion to school improvement and
turned to Oregon as the leader,” said
State School Superintendent Normal
Paulus.
In announcing the approval o f
O regon's Goals 20000 plan. Riley
said, "I realize it is not a coincidence
that Oregon was the first Goals 2000
state plan to be approved the U.S.
Department o f educat ion. Oregon has
long been recognized as a leader in
education reform efforts to improve
teaching and learning for all stu­
dents.
“I commend you on the quality
o f the plan and implementation ef­
forts already underway which reflect
the hard work o f so many people -
policymakers, practitioners, parents,
business and community leaders -
throughout the state," Riley added.
“Y our leadership and vision
which tie education reform to the
achievement o f high standards by all
students are an example from which
others can benefit.”
C O M M U N ITY
you ™ RALLY "95"
a ru
(Presented by Your Bible Speaks SDA Church)
A in’1 Ncthin9 But
A Good Thing . . . %
In Jesus
*
A working smoke detector is
being credited for saving the lives of
four family members living in a two-
story' duplex at 536 N.E. Skidmore.
The fire broke out last Wednes­
day night. The cause was blamed on
children playing with a cigarette light­
er. Smoke was coming out o f the
building’sevesandoutthe front door
when firefighters arrived.
Fire department officials said
nearly 10 percent of all fires this year
have been caused by children play­
ing with fire, a nine-year high for the
Portland area.
tr
f ire
M a h ( n e o f a J\ÌHfi f , sfecero ) f
'VJJ' h -'vfwìfNtcaH ^ a tfh 7 ' fi/}ooÁ¿
riho
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Keynote Speaker
Pastor Roscoe Howard
Minister, Youth Evangelist
Join other area youth tor:
W ORKSHOPS • SKITS • MUSIC
5:00 Musical w/ Portland Mass Choir
nu ora a
■ He M aye .U itte
tea
M e c /m S tf/a y - m m m u
J :0 0 ~ 7 :0 0 /itn
V e fia fu x fa y
J 0 :0 0 fittt-6 :0 0 /ttti
Saturday, March 4, 1995
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
2 8 0 8 > I f i • l l f i i / h i i f i / l u ’i
f i f it e 7 '' ( f it n a y '/ a t f i u t i
'-UNCH
'J i i t i f j ''ñ / t y / ,
(5 0 8 ) 2 8 8 -5 2 4 6
'©ED
2101 NE Hancock
(Home of Central Lutheran Church)
Bring A Friend!
For further information call:
287-7649 Or 249-3790
'C A S H ---------
(p W r iE C T K ^
PAYDAY ADVANCES
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