Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, November 06, 2013, Page 4, Image 4

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    Page 4
IjJnrtlanb (Dbserürr
IPs Back!
Live Music at Billy Webb’s Elks Lodge
Every Friday and Sunday
Come join us for a Scorpio Party
Friday November 15th, 2013
9:00pm till 2:00am
Featuring Randy Starr and the Player ’s
Dress to Impress; Cash award for Best Dressed
Great Drinks and Big Fun
for the 30 and over Crowd
Admission: $5:00
For Members & Guest
November 6, 2013
Reception for new College Leader
Jeremy Brown
takes reigns at
Portland
Community
College
More than 500 people, including
Gov. John Kitzhaber, gathered at
the Portland Art Museum to meet
Portland Community College's new
president Jeremy Brown. Notable
guests for the Oct. 30 ceremony also
included Portland Commissioner
Amanda Fritz, State Senators Mark
Hass and Betsy Johnson, State
Representatives Michael Dembrow,
Chris Gorsek and Margaret Doherty,
Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey and
Portland Public Schools leader
Carole Smith, to name a few.
The PCC Investiture Ceremony,
"Together, Envision the Future,"
gave the community a chance to get
a taste of Brown's vision for the
college's future and welcome him to
his new position. In his address, he
said the investiture wasn't about
him but a celebration of the college
and the difference it makes in the
community.
"All of this is humbling," Brown
said. "I am grateful, and I thank each
of you. This is an amazing moment
Jeremy Brown listens to remarks during a ceremony installing him
as the sixth president of Portland Community College. Seated
next to him is student Rachel Black Elk.
in PCC's history. More and more
people are looking to PCC as the
primary route to achieving their
educational and career goals. We
offer opportunities to older stu­
dents, students right out of high
school, veterans, displaced work­
ers, and international students. Stu­
dents interested in transferring to
universities such as Portland State,
as well as those seeking terminal
two-year degrees, one year certifi-
Model School
continued
With the change of season it’s time to consider how visible
you and your family are at night or during low-light hours.
Here are some easy ways to increase visibility:
L Be reflective and shine
Z Add lights
Z Be alert
Make it a priority to *be seen* when you’re out and about
this fell and w inter
trimet.org/beseen
Drive less. Save more.
TR l@MET
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from fron t
instructors adopt a village mentality,
and are committed to putting in the
hours to develop a good curriculum
and key programs like summer school.
He credits the commitment of teach­
ers as crucial to the fact that over 98
percent of SEI kids graduate on time,
with 85 percent going on to college.
Harri s said that the school ’ s model
has long been successful. In 2010
when she and others from the acad­
emy went before the Board of Educa­
tion to renew their charter, she says
its students were outscoring other
African-American students in the
state in the subjects of reading, writ­
ing, and science. This year alone, she
said, SEI 8th grade boys were even
outscoring their peers in mathemat­
ics.
Hopson said he only hopes that
more people will take heed to the work
SEI does, especially considering the
odds stacked against the vast major-
Policy Director
cates, retraining in new skills, ESOL,
GED, pursuit of lifelong learning,
and small business development.
"More and more, we are asked to
be all things to all people, at all times
and in all ways," he added.
The program, hosted by KGW-
TV news anchor Laural Porter, in­
clu d e d p e rfo rm an c e s by the
Jefferson Dancers and the student-
continued
on page 18
ity of its students from underserved
populations in north and northeast
Portland.
He said the 9-year-old academy
has proven itself during its short
tenure as a uniquely positive force
for African-American students, and
said it is time for more financial sup­
port for the school.
“Now when we look at the amount
of kids that we service, and the amount
of money that we’re getting both
from Portland Public Schools and
state g overnm ent, w e’re very
underfunded...by a long shot.”
“When you’re looking at what we
call the ‘misery index,’ which talks
about education, healthcare, and the
criminal justice system, black folks
are at the bottom of it. And if you’re
looking at the equity lens that the
state, Portland Public Schools and
the county are using now, it says
we’re trying to close the disparity
between races. Because that’s what
we do. And our stats are clear in our
abilities to get this done,” he said.
Resistance Education and Training
instructor, and has been involved
with the Making Positive Choices
c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 2
Youth Forum; Racial Profiling Com­
too many waves it will be a detriment mittee; Citywide Diversity Commit­
to the changes needed in the Bu­ tee; Police Equity: Leadership Coun­
reau.”
cil; and Community and Police Rela­
Wesson-Mitchell has served as tions Committee.
a patrol officer, an investigative of­
She lives in the Lents neighbor­
ficer and police recruitment coordi­ hood with her husband, JaMarr
nator. She also has been a Gang Mitchell, and their sons.