Portland State Magazine

1 month ago | pdx.edu | KJ Fields

Small moments, unnoticed by most, can change a life. This concept is a common theme in playwright Sara Jean Accuardi’s (’06) work. Her latest award-winning play, “The Storyteller,” is no exception. The play’s premise came to Accuardi as she walked along the Portland waterfront near decrepit houseboats in the heart of the beautiful city. “I saw two different societies – together but totally separate – and I like giving a voice to things most people overlook,” Accuardi says.

1 month ago | pdx.edu | Lauren Valenti

The department that oversees Portland State’s pipeline to innovation, Propel PSU, has relocated to a new campus location, bringing its four programs together into a single, integrated space. The move creates a dedicated hub for entrepreneurship and innovation at PSU, better serving students, faculty, community members and business owners alike. It’s also part of the collective effort at PSU to drive Portland's economic, social and cultural resurgence.

Oct 21, 2024 | pdx.edu | Karen Stein

Portland State University professor Darrell Grant always knew he wanted to be a musician. Since childhood, steeped in the language of the piano, he studied classical music and jazz and played in school ensembles and a professional performing group. After earning his undergraduate degree at Eastman School of Music and a master’s in jazz studies from the University of Miami, he moved to New York to become a jazz musician.

Jul 25, 2024 | pdx.edu | Ian Wallace

On July 24, Willamette Week featured Portland State University’s Littman + White Galleries in their Best of Portland 2024 issue under the “Best Things to Do and See” category. The Littman + White Galleries are student-run exhibition spaces located in PSU’s Smith Memorial Student Union. Gallery curators focus on empowering marginalized voices and perspectives through thought-provoking shows from local, regional, and national artists.

Jul 1, 2024 | pdx.edu | Rebecca Olson |Karen Stein

Portland State University’s College of the Arts recognized jazz artist, community builder and alumna esperanza spalding with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at its 2024 commencement ceremony Friday, June 14, in acknowledgment of her contributions to the arts.    In her address to the graduates, spalding began with a song, calling upon students to embrace the agency that each person has in shaping their own life and the future of their environment and community.