Funding for the Northwest Center for Engineering Science and Technology, an upcoming Portland State University venture, received a boost thanks to a $2.5 million grant. The grant was donated by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, the worlds largest chip maker, and his wife, Betty Moore.
The new infrastructure will house the university’s computer science department. When completed, the building will comprise about 130,000 square feet of high-tech laboratories that meet all industry specifications, expansive classrooms and office space to facilitate research in engineering fields.
PSU President Daniel Bernstine applauded this gesture by the Moores as very generous and a clear indication of their commitment to education. He further stated that this will send a signal to others that investing in PSU will reap huge economic benefits for the entire region.
“This is a critical time for corporate leaders to step to the plate and make investments in education – in future generations and in the work force of tomorrow,” Moore said. He further conveyed PSU had contributed a lot to Intel’s growth over the years.
Several senior chip designers and architects working at Intel said that Moore is a compassionate person with a penchant for both philanthropic activities and a business shrewdness. Many of them see him as an eminent visionary and guiding force.
According to them, Intel is very keen on establishing a strong bond with PSU, and this contribution was a first step in that direction.
Betty Moore, a journalism graduate of San Jose State College, is also very active in the couple’s numerous philanthropic activities. The couple formed the Moore Foundation in November 2000 and set up offices in San Francisco. The foundation’s main focus is the environment, scientific research, higher education and the Bay Area.
Gordon Moore, who turned 73 this January, is also known for his famous “Moore’s Law,” which he proposed in 1964, four years before he co-founded Intel.
“Moore’s Law” is the famous assertion that the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits would double every year.
Following the establishment of “Moore’s Law” the rate of increase for transistor density has slowed, and the law has been adjusted to refer to data density, which has kept true to Moore’s initial expectation.
Currently, he is also the director of Gilead Sciences Incorporated. Moore is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the IEEE. He has more than 45 patents to his credit
He received the National Medal of Technology from President George Bush in 1990.
In June 2002, Moore received the highest honor bestowed upon U.S. civilians, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It was in recognition of his leadership in making Intel the most successful developer of the microchip.