New Education Facility Breaks Ground in Portland


Share this article!

Construction begins on Faubion School & Concordia University-Portland’s College of Education

Concordia University, Portland Public Schools and Trillium Family Services break ground on a new $48.8M education facility and transformative partnership “3 to PhD.”

PORTLAND, Ore. – April 8, 2016 – More than 400 students, educators, elected officials, and community membersgathered on a warm, sunny morning to break ground and celebrate the development of a signature new facility for education in Portland, Ore., Thurs., April 7, 2016.

“This is how we turn hope into opportunity,” said City of Portland Mayor Charlie Hales.

The new three-story,138,827 sq.ft.,$48.8 millionfacilityat 3039 NE Rosa Parks Way will serve both PK-8 students and will prepare future teachers. The PPS School Building Improvement Bond is funding $33.3 million for the project. Concordia University and its supporters are contributing $15.5 million in building funding, along with land and additional resources.

The new building will combine Portland Public Schools’ Faubion School and the Concordia University College of Education. In addition, Trillium Family Services joins them in collaborating to create 3 to PhD® – a new model for education that aims to create safer, healthier and more educated communities.

The new facility will include:

  • Faubion School’s nearly 800 PK-8 students and educators
  • Concordia University College of Education with 8 classrooms and 26 faculty offices serving faculty, staff and students
  • early childhood education center
  • health and wellness center
  • STEAM and maker space facilities
  • food club with organic and nutritious products
  • additional services for both school communities

“3 to PhD is a positive model for communities across Oregon and nationwide. This collaboration is transformational for Northeast Portland, for the State of Oregon, and for the nation,” shared Senator Richard Devlin from Oregon’s state capitol. “Congratulations to the entire community on today’s ground breaking celebration of partnership and progress.”

The ceremonial ground breaking featured Faubion’s choir and Concordia’s Christi Crux Ensemble singing, the crowd gathered at the free, public event to share their anticipation and excitement. 

Sharing support and remarks during the ceremony were: U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, State Representative Lew Fredericks, City of Portland Mayor Charlie Hales, Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish, Trillium Family Services President & CEO Kim Scott; from Concordia University – President Charles Schlimpert, co-chair Council of Trustees Scott Howard, College of Education Dean Sheryl Reinisch, Director of Church Relations Pastor Mike Scheer,and Concordia senior and elementary education major Dylana McGill; and from Portland Public Schools – Superintendent Carole Smith, Faubion School Principal LaShawn Lee, Faubion parent Kimberley Dixon, Faubion PK student Jamal Edwards, and Faubion teacher and CU alumnus MaKenzie Price.

For more information or to contribute to 3 to PhD, visit http://www.pps.net/Page/471 and www.3toPhD.org. Engage with us on social media at #3toPhD @cu_portland. 

###

MEDIA CONTACTS: Madeline Turnock, APR, Concordia University, (503) 803-3729, [email protected], and Christine Miles, Portland Public Schools, 503-916-3027, [email protected]