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Robin Holmes-Sullivan Leads with Purpose Lewis & Clark President Robin Holmes-Sullivan Back-to-school is Lewis & Clark President Robin Holmes-Sullivan’s favorite time of year. After the comparative quiet of summer, she says, she looks forward to all the energy and activity that students bring to the campus. Under her direction, Lewis & Clark faculty and staff are ready to match the students’ enthusiasm with the expertise needed to ensure students thrive inside and outside the classroom. As enjoyable as it is to reconnect with returning students, President Holmes-Sullivan especially loves welcoming new students to Lewis & Clark each year. As someone who was a first-generation college student herself, she remembers how easy it is to feel doubts about whether a college is really the right place to be. But when the school responds to each student’s doubts by making them feel welcome and valued as members of the campus community, they can build the foundation for success throughout college and in the years after they graduate. She especially loves assuring first-gen students that a first-generation undergraduate can become a first-generation graduate student, and even a first-generation college president. As Lewis & Clark’s first Black president and first woman president, she delights in the fact that her presence inspires L&C students to think of their own futures as full of possibility. As the saying goes, “if you see it, you can be it.” President Holmes-Sullivan didn’t know when she started college, or even when she started graduate school, that one day she would be a college president. After earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, she became a clinical coordinator in the counseling center at the University of Oregon. During her 25 years at U. of O., she worked her way up to become vice president of student life. From there, she went to the University of California, where she served as vice president for student affairs, overseeing the undergraduate admissions process and other student-related issues for the 10-campus, 270,000-student system. So, what drew her to Lewis & Clark, a comparatively small school tucked in the beautiful wooded acres above the Willamette River in Portland? The answer is two-fold. First, she knew she’d get much more of what she loved about her early career: the chance to get to know individual students. Being part of a large, public university system meant her leadership had a broad impact – which was wonderful for students, even if they were students she never got to know. By contrast, at Lewis & Clark, “President Robin” is a familiar presence on campus, where she loves seizing opportunities to interact with students. Second, the presidency gives Dr. Holmes-Sullivan new challenges, as she is now the leader for the entire institution. In addition to the undergraduate college, Lewis & Clark has a Law School that is nationally renowned for its programs in fields like Environmental Law, Public Interest Law, and Business Law; and a Graduate School of Education and Counseling, which prepares students for careers as teachers, administrators, psychologists, and counselors in K-12 schools, and as mental health professionals, with expertise in much-needed areas like treating addiction and family therapy. Reflecting on her own educational and professional trajectory, President Holmes-Sullivan notes that might be one of the biggest lessons she hopes to impart to students. “Find meaningful work that you love and that feeds your soul,” she advises “but don’t be afraid to take on new challenges, and to push yourself in ways that will have you growing and learning throughout your life and your career.”

Alleging merchandise is too similar and causes confusion Customers browse the Columbia University Bookstore (AP) - Outerwear retailer Columbia Sportswear has sued Columbia University over alleged trademark infringement and a breach of contract, saying that the university’s merchandise looks too similar to its own offerings and can confuse shoppers. In a lawsuit filed July 23 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Columbia Sportswear, whose roots date back to 1938, alleges that the Ivy League university intentionally violated an agreement the parties signed on June 13, 2023. That agreement dictated how the university could use the word “Columbia” on its own apparel and accessories. As part of the pact, the university could feature “Columbia” on its merchandise provided that the name included a recognizable school insignia or its mascot, the word “university,” the name of the academic department or the founding year of the university — 1754 — or a combination. Columbia Sportswear clothing is sold at more than 800 retail locations including more than 150 of its branded stores as well as its website and third-party marketplaces. But Columbia Sportswear alleges the university breached the agreement a little more than a year later, with the Portland, Oregon-based company noticing several garments without any of the school logos being sold at the Columbia University online store. Many of the garments feature a bright blue color that is “confusingly similar” to the blue color that has long been associated with Columbia Sportswear, the suit alleged. The lawsuit offered photos of some of the Columbia University items that say only Columbia. “The likelihood of deception, confusion, and mistake engendered by the university’s misappropriation and misuse of the Columbia name is causing irreparable harm to the brand and goodwill symbolized by Columbia Sportswear’s registered mark Columbia and the reputation for quality it embodies,” the lawsuit alleged. The lawsuit comes at a time when Columbia University has been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support. Last week, Columbia University reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus. Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years, the university said. Columbia Sportswear aims to stop all sales of clothing that violate the agreement, recall any products already sold and donate any remaining merchandise to charity. Columbia Sportswear is also seeking three times the amount of actual damages determined by a jury. Neither Columbia Sportswear nor Columbia University could be immediately reached for comment.

How a Community College Honor Society Empowers Clark Students Gurraj Singh Dhami A new school year at Clark means introducing a new cohort of students to the supports and resources we’ve developed over our 90 years as a college. We’re always looking for new ways to make student journeys easier, whether it’s offering free food or creating clearer career pathways. One important resource on campus is Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), a respected international honor society for two-year colleges. Clark College’s chapter—a top 100 chapter out of 1,247 chapters—has a track record of helping students make friends, get scholarships, transfer to four-year schools, and achieve their goals. Beheshta Eqbali PTK is Community Support. Students who join PTK at Clark join a community of other determined students. They meet up to study and commiserate about the challenges of school, have opportunities to join leadership training, and lead community service activities such as school supply drives. PRK International also offers material support to members, distributing up to $90 million in scholarships. Clark students regularly bring home national recognition and scholarships. The Advisors Who Change Lives. PTK at Clark College wouldn’t make such an impact without the dedication of their advisor, Darci Feider, and other staff members who donate time and support. Feider is extremely busy as Senior Executive to the President but takes time to plan events and offer wisdom to students. Anton Vlasov One PTK member, Mary Chavez, credits Feider as the person who’s had the biggest impact on her student journey. “It’s just nice, someone seeing the hard work that you put out there... If I talk myself out of applying for a job she’s like “Oh, no, no, no you can definitely do that. You should apply.”” Feider is focused on the students. At an induction ceremony in March, Feider said “Phi Theta Kappa is all about recognition... we recognize people for being scholars, for their achievements, and for being a part of our community.” Clark Students Defy the Odds. The stories of Clark’s PTK members are examples of how a supportive community and material support at the college level empowers student dreams. Gurraj Singh Dhami, a 2025 graduate of Prairie High School and Clark College, was named the 2025–2026 recipient of the Community College President’s Scholarship Award, a scholarship for full tuition at Washington State University Vancouver. Dhami balanced college coursework, multiple jobs, and extensive volunteer commitments—all while serving as the ASCC President. Dhami has aspirations to become a doctor and expand access to healthcare in rural communities. Seth Stigall Barranco Beheshta Eqbali was named a PTK Visual Arts Award recipient for her painting Afghan Girl, which represents her deep connection to Afghan culture. In January, her work was published in the 30th edition of Nota Bene, Phi Theta Kappa’s honors anthology, and she received a $500 scholarship. Eqbali balances her creative life by studying web development. She graduated in June with an associate degree in applied technology. Seth Stigall Barranco represented Clark College as a member of the prestigious All-Washington Academic Team, PTK’s statewide program that honors high-achieving students from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges. He helped to start a new club for video game design and organized an event for MESA students while maintaining a 3.9 grade point average. A first-generation college student, he graduated with an associate degree in computer science and will join the first cohort of Clark’s Bachelor of Science in computer science program this fall. Anton Vlasov was also a member of PTK’s All-Washington Academic Team. Vlasov and his family left Ukraine to seek safety from the war when Russian rockets leveled the apartment building next door, leading him to enroll at Clark College. At 40 years old, he maintained a 3.81 grade point average and graduated with an associate’s degree in computer and information sciences. Next, he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in cybersecurity at Clark with a goal of working as a cybersecurity analyst. PTK Embodies Clark College’s Mission. Clark students come to campus with stories of perseverance and purpose, and we provide the tools and support they need to turn their goals into reality. As a catalyst for that transformation, Clark is proud to serve a student community in Southwest Washington as diverse and dynamic as the region itself.

REACH Community Development Breaks Ground on 73Foster REACH 73Foster Groundbreaking REACH Community Development  (REACH), has officially broken ground on 73Foster, a new 64-unit affordable housing development in Portland’s Foster-Powell neighborhood. This $31.2 million investment in deeply affordable, service-enriched housing is being built by Walsh Construction and designed by Holst Architecture.   73Foster will include 22 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units and 42 apartments for households earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Residents will benefit from onsite wraparound services, in-unit heating and cooling, laundry facilities, bike storage, and a food pantry. A central landscaped courtyard will offer spaces for quiet relaxation and active play, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals and families.   In a moment when housing insecurity is one of the most urgent crises we face, 73Foster is a reminder that we are not standing still. We are building forward,” said  U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-3).  “These homes will provide safety, dignity, and stability for individuals and families who need it most. It is downpayment on a future where every Oregonian can thrive—and exactly the kind of project our public dollars should support.”   Located just one block from REACH’s earlier development, 72Foster, and adjacent to the Portland Mercado, 73Foster strengthens REACH’s long-term commitment to equitable development in a neighborhood where 50% of residents identify as people of color and the average household income is approximately $24,400.   “This investment means that families and individuals in our community who want to stay in Southeast Portland can afford to live here,” said Senator Khanh Pham (SD 23) . “73Foster affirms that everyone deserves a home where they feel welcome, safe, and supported.”   REACH partnered with Community Vision to incorporate universal design elements that promote accessibility for people of all abilities. The project also draws on partnerships with Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) and El Programa Hispano Catolica (EPHC) to provide culturally responsive outreach, translation services, leasing support, and ongoing resident engagement.   “This development represents an intentional investment in a thriving, diverse neighborhood – and a commitment to ensuring all Oregonians, regardless of income or ability, have access to a safe and stable home. We are proud to support this project through our Local Innovation and Fast Track and Permanent Supportive Housing programs and to stand alongside our partners, including REACH, in advancing equitable housing solutions that reflect the voices and needs of the community,” said Oregon Housing and Community Services Executive Director Andrea Bell .   “Foster-Powell is one of our most culturally diverse neighborhoods - but also a community where far too many live in poverty,” Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang said. “73Foster will enable people with disabilities and others who are left out of Portland’s housing market to thrive, offering stability, accessibility, and connection.”   “Regulated affordable housing is a critical tool for addressing our region’s homelessness crisis,” said PHB Director Helmi A. Hisserich , “which disproportionately impacts those living with disabilities. PHB is proud to fund 73Foster, an innovative development which will serve this community, along with other low-income Portlanders, for decades to come.”   The building’s mixed-income, service-enriched model is designed to serve a wide range of residents, including individuals who have experienced homelessness or live with disabilities.   “REACH is proud to be building homes in a neighborhood where families and individuals can thrive with dignity and support,” said Margaret Salazar , CEO of REACH. “This development reflects the values of our organization: equity, accessibility, and the power of community-driven partnerships.”   Project funding sources include Portland Housing Bureau and Metro Bond funds, Oregon Housing and Community Services LIFT and PSH funds, Metro Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Grant, Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), Energy Trust of Oregon, and private bank financing from Network For Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH).   Construction begun in June 2025, with residents expected to move in by 2026.   For more information, visit www.reachcdc.org

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Malcolm Jamal Warner drowns while in Costa Rica Malcolm Jamal Warner (AP) Malcolm-Jamal Warner the actor who played teenage son Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” has died at age 54 in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica, authorities there said. Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department said Monday that Warner drowned Sunday afternoon on a beach on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. He was swimming at Playa Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the ocean. “He was rescued by people on the beach,” the department’s initial report said, but first responders from Costa Rica’s Red Cross found him without vital signs and he was taken to the morgue. Warner created many TV moments etched in the memories of Generation X children and their parents, including a pilot-episode argument with Bill Cosby’s Cliff Huxtable about money and an ear piercing he tries to hide from his dad. His Theo was the only son among four daughters in the household of Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad’s Clair Huxtable on the NBC sitcom, and he would be one of the prime representations of American teenage boyhood on a show that was the most popular in America for much of its run from 1984 to 1992. He played the role for eight seasons in all 197 episodes, winning an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a comedy in 1986. For many the lasting image of the character, and of Warner, is of him wearing a badly botched mock designer shirt sewed by his sister Denise, played by Lisa Bonet. The “Gordon Gartrell” shirt later became a memeable image. Anthony Mackie wore one on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon and the profile picture on Cosby’s Instagram shows a toddler sporting one.

Bringing Neighbors Together Through the Healing Power of Food From left to right State Representative Travis Nelson, Chef Kiara Hardy, Kitchen Killa Culinary Solutions and Crystal Chanel, Community Cookout event Producer, Press Release Marketing Beloved local chef and community champion, Chef Kiara Hardy, is back with the 2nd Annual Kitchen Killa & Friends Community CookOut, a heart-centered gathering created to nourish, uplift, and unite the Portland community through the universal language of good food.   Happening Saturday, July 26, 2025, at George Park in St. Johns (7240 Fessenden Street, Portland, OR 97203) from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. This free event invites single mothers, housing-vulnerable, at-risk LGBTQ+ youth, young adults, seniors, and anyone in need of a fresh, hot meal to come out and enjoy an afternoon of nourishment and neighborly connection.   In addition to enjoying a free meal, attendees have access to city of Portland resources, a clothing drive and free haircuts provided by Prolific Barber. Clean, gently used clothing, personal care products, and financial contributions are being accepted in advance of the event. Community members in need of clothing are welcome to visit the Clothing Give-away Station at the event to select items for themselves and their families, no questions asked. To donate or get involved, email crystal@kitchenkilla.com . Admission is free. All are welcome.   This year’s event is made possible thanks to the generous support of New Seasons Market, KF Curates, Press Release Marketing, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, DNA Community Consulting, DB Dessert Company & Cafe, Alejandro Jimenez Real Estate, State Representative Travis Nelson, Dunia, Woods Realty Group, and The Kidz Outside.

NFL’s Alex Green visits ‘Leap into 6th Grade’ camp Alex Green and Student (Photo Courtesy of Blosser Center)   Even though it is summer vacation, the halls of Ockley Green Middle School in Northeast Portland were buzzing on Friday, July 18 as students waited for the arrival of former NFL Green Bay Packers player Alex Green. These incoming 6 th  grade students have been spending their summer break at Ockley Green participating in a new “Leap into 6 th  Grade” summer reading program. When Green, who is a dyslexia advocate, walked into the cafeteria at Ockley Green Middle School, the students erupted into cheers. Green then led the students through an exercise with a one-dollar bill to show students that even if they feel discouraged, they must keep working hard. "No matter what happens in life, you still have value," Green told the students. The summer camp is a first-time partnership with the Blosser Center for Dyslexia and Portland Public Schools and represents more than just summer learning, it's a targeted response to incoming 6 th  grade students who may need extra reading help. About 35 rising sixth graders are participating in the month-long program, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays at no cost to families. This partnership fills a critical gap in Oregon's literacy intervention efforts. While state funding has primarily focused on early elementary literacy programs for kindergarten through third grade, many students who struggled during remote learning during the Covid pandemic have been left without adequate support as they advance through middle school. "What's so exciting about reaching these incoming 6 th  grade students is that we're not just teaching them to read, we're igniting a passion for learning that will carry them through life,” says Suzanne LaGrande, Executive Director of the Blosser Center for Dyslexia Education. “When a sixth grader discovers they can master a book and falls in love with reading, that transforms their entire educational trajectory. We're giving them back their confidence and showing them that learning can be joyful again.” The students participating in the program were identified through the four elementary schools that feed into Ockley Green Middle School. The camp's structure reflects research-backed approaches to reading intervention that focuses on intensive one-on-one tutoring. Students rotate through different learning blocks, including small group writing sessions, robotics activities, and an hour of individualized instruction with trained tutors who address each student's needs. This pilot program represents the kind of targeted intervention that literacy experts believe is necessary to address Oregon's reading crisis. With only 42.5% of students meeting English and language arts proficiency standards statewide, the need for programs that serve struggling readers has never been more urgent. LaGrande hopes this partnership with Portland Public Schools will expand beyond this summer. "When kids get behind, they also get discouraged. They start to believe that they're not smart," she explains. "So the faster we can get them to grade-level reading proficiency, the more we can get them caught up, and launch them into the future."

Father arrested in front of the school during morning drop-off A guardian drops off a child at the Guidepost Montessori school on Friday, July 18 th ,2025, in Beaverton, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) (AP) — Parents at a preschool in a Portland suburb are reeling after immigration officers arrested a father in front of the school during morning drop-off hours, breaking his car window to detain him in front of children, families and staffers. “I feel like a day care, which is where young children are taken care of, should be a safe place,” Natalie Berning said after dropping off her daughter at the Montessori in Beaverton on Friday morning. “Not only is it traumatizing for the family, it’s traumatizing for all the other children as well.” Mahdi Khanbabazadeh, a 38-year-old chiropractor and citizen of Iran, was initially pulled over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, while driving his child to the school Tuesday. After asking if he could drop off the child first, he continued driving and called his wife to tell her what happened, according to his wife, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to privacy concerns for her and her young child. His wife rushed to the school, took their child from his car and brought him inside. Khanbabazadeh stayed in the vehicle in the parking lot and asked if he could move somewhere not on school grounds out of consideration for the children and families, his wife said. He pulled out of the lot and onto the street and began to open the car door to step out when agents broke the window and took him into custody, according to his wife. Kellie Burns, who has two children attending the preschool, said her husband was there and heard the glass shatter. “More than anything we want to express how unnecessarily violent and inhumane this was,” she said. “Everyone felt helpless. Everyone was scared.” ICE said it detained Khanbabazadeh because he overstayed his visa, which his wife disputes. “Officers attempted to arrest Khanbabazadeh during a traffic stop when he requested permission to drop his child off at daycare,” ICE said in a statement. “Officers allowed him to proceed to the daycare parking lot where he stopped cooperating, resisted arrest and refused to exit his vehicle, resulting in ICE officers making entry by breaking one of the windows to complete the arrest.” Immigration officials have dramatically ramped up arrests across the country since May. Shortly after President Donald Trump took office in January, his administration lifted restrictions on making immigration arrests at schools, health care facilities and places of worship, stirring fears about going to places once considered safe spaces. After U.S. military strikes on Iran in June, officials trumpeted immigration arrests of Iranians, some of whom settled in the United States long ago. Khanbabazadeh’s wife said he has always maintained lawful status. After he arrived on a valid student visa and they subsequently married, she said, they submitted all required paperwork to adjust his status and were waiting for a final decision following their green card interview months ago. Khanbabazadeh is being held at the ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, she said. Guidepost Global Education, which oversees the Montessori school, called the incident “deeply upsetting.” “We understand that this incident raises broader questions about how law enforcement actions intersect with school environments,” CEO Maris Mendes said in a statement. “It is not lost on us how frightening and confusing this experience may have been for those involved — especially for the young children who may have witnessed it while arriving at school with their parents.” Parents said they want to support the family and teachers. “We know it’s happening across the country, of course, but no one is prepared for their preschool ... to deal with it,” Burns said. “It’s really been a nightmare.”