For 15 years, the Portland State University Chemistry Department has offered something nearly unparalleled in higher education: the art and science of glassblowing. In this hands-on program, students don’t just observe experiments—they craft their own tools, solve complex problems by hand, and gain a rare skill that sets PSU graduates apart in labs around the world.
Today, this signature program is at a crossroads. As budgets tighten, the glassblowing lab faces the threat of closure. Without immediate support, this unique learning experience—and the craftsmanship it cultivates—could disappear.
Whether you spent hours at the bench perfecting a condenser, or simply admired the artistry of glasswork in our hallways, you understand that this program is at the heart of the Chemistry Department’s identity. To keep it alive, we need to raise $9,600—enough to fund two sections per term for a full year. Every $267 gifts one student the opportunity to take this transformative course.
Your gift today ensures that PSU’s torches keep burning bright, training the next generation of chemists, innovators, and artisans. Move this program from “at-risk” to “community-sustained” and preserve a tradition that is uniquely Portland State. Any funds not used on this priority will provide general support for the Chemistry Department.
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