Former university president to lecture

Former Portland State University President Judith Ramaley will be on campus to discuss the initiatives of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The lecture will take place this Friday, May 10 from 3:30-4:15 p.m. in the second floor gallery of the Urban Center.

Ramaley is the current assistant director at the NSF, and directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR). She has been in this position since August of last year.

Ramaley is coming to campus to learn more about Portland State’s progress in math, science, engineering and teacher preparation.

According to the NSF Web site, the mission state of the foundation is “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity and welfare; and to secure the national defense.” The NSF is an independent agency of the U.S. Government.

The foundation is comprised of 24 part-time members and a Director who all serve as the National Science Board.

In Ramaley’s position as assistant director for EHR, she oversees an $800 million annual portfolio. The NSF Web site states that the EHR portfolio supports programs dealing with learning from kindergarten through graduate education. The EHR also has projects for challenged school populations.

Last year Ramaley resigned from her position as the president of the University of Vermont.

According to a 2001 article in the Oregonian, Ramaley’s resignation was forced due to pressure from the University of Vermont’s Board of Trustees. During Ramaley’s tenure at the university, there was a hazing scandal on the men’s hockey team, budget deficits and profound faculty discontentment.

To date, Portland State University has had eight presidents. Ramaley was the seventh president at the university. Her tenure was from 1990 to 1997.

There will be a reception in Ramaley’s honor directly after the lecture.

For more information on Ramaley’s visit or to RSVP for the reception call 503-725-5774 or by e-mail at [email protected].