A new permanent endowment for Portland State University’s School of Fine and Performing Arts, the Kamelia Massih Endowment for the Arts, has been set up that will fund annual Kamelia Massih Outstanding Student and Faculty Prizes for PSU’s School of Fine and Performing Arts. Donations to a memorial Kamelia Massih fund, along with a donation from Dr. Massih’s brother, PSU alumnus Fariborz Maseeh, made through his Massiah Foundation, have contributed to the endowment's establishment.
Upon the passing of former PSU student Kamelia Massih on March 19, 2010, her family requested that in lieu of flowers, her friends, family and colleagues donate to a memorial fund established at Portland State University in her honor.
The endowment each year will recognize outstanding students and faculty in PSU’s School of Fine and Performing Arts with annual prizes, one to a student and one to a faculty member who have brought innovation to their discipline, demonstrated excellence in performing or fine arts, and exemplify PSU’s commitment to community engagement.
Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Kamelia Massih came to the United States in 1978, where she initiated her studies in biology at Portland State University. She subsequently graduated in 1981 from Oregon State University and completed a doctorate in optometry at Pacific University. She opened her own practice, Beaverton Vision World in 1989. She gave her time and resources to a wide range of local and national charities and loved fine arts, music, and dance. Dr. Massih passed away on March 19, 2010, after a three-year battle with cancer.
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