Contact: Di Saunders – Office, 503-725-5714; Cell, 503-219-6869

PORTLAND, June 8, 2007 – George Pernsteiner, Chancellor of the Oregon University System, today announced the Search Committee for the Portland State University president. The new president will replace Daniel Bernstine, who has accepted the position of president of the Law School Admissions Council after ten years of dedicated service to the University.

The Search Committee will be chaired by Board member Jim Francesconi of Portland, and will include the following members from PSU: Scott Dawson, Dean of the School of Business Administration, Sandra Freels, Professor and Chair, Russian Studies; Rick Hawkins, President of the PSU Foundation; Jun Jiao, Assistant Professor of Physics; Debbie Murdock, Government Relations; Marc Nisenfeld, Science Support Services; Steve Reder, Professor and Chair in Applied Linguistics; Rudy Soto, incoming President of the Associated Students of PSU; and Angela Wykoff, PSU Alumni Association. Representing the community on the PSU Search Committee is: Norman Daniels, Joe’s (formerly GI Joe’s); Preston Pulliams, President of Portland Community College; Danny Santos, Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor; Steve Stadum, Chief Administrative Officer, Oregon Health & Science University; Charles Wilhoite, Commissioner, Portland Development Commission. Representing the OUS President’s Council will be Ed Ray, President, Oregon State University.

The Committee will begin their search process for a new president immediately, working with a national search firm, with a goal of assisting the Chancellor in his recommendation of a new president as soon as possible in 2008.

Jim Francesconi said, “This is a strong, diverse search committee which includes members with sound judgment, and passion and knowledge about Portland State and its mission. The committee will engage in extensive outreach during the search process, ensuring that candidates connect with faculty, staff, students and PSU’s many constituents. Finding a new president who has leadership strength, vision, ability to actively engage with students and faculty, and work collaboratively to positively affect the university and the broader community will be an exciting process. The search committee looks forward to initiating this important effort.”

Oregon University System comprises seven distinguished public universities, reaching more than one million people each year through on-campus classes, statewide public services and lifelong learning. For additional information, go to www.ous.edu

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