Engineering Alumni Spotlight: Frankwell and Ken

In 1987, two Portland State engineering students became roommates, cultivating a friendship that would last for decades. Frankwell Lin and Ken Li would both go on to find success in the semiconductor industry while giving back to PSU where their story began.

Early days at Portland State

Frankwell's academic journey at PSU began in September 1986 when he enrolled in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program for his master's degree. At PSU, he took courses in automatic design tools, digital signal processing, and artificial intelligence.

Frankwell enjoyed his time in Portland and remembers the city's proximity to natural beauty as one of the best parts of living here.

"The landscape of the seaside, the state and national parks, the Columbia River, and Mount Hood were all aspects of Portland that I enjoyed greatly during my studies at PSU," he remembers.

Ken came to Portland State from Taiwan in 1987, drawn by the university's VLSI (Very-Large-Scale Integration) design curriculum and the vibrant local tech community, which included companies like Intel and Tektronix. Ken quickly settled into life at PSU, appreciating the supportive faculty and the small, interactive classes.

The Taiwanese community on campus was very small at the time, so Frankwell and Ken met one another and decided to become roommates.
Frankwell and Ken spent time cooking Taiwanese food in their apartment in Portland, getting a slice of pizza together during finals week, and enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings while staying focused on their academic studies.

Supporting the next generation of engineers

After their time at PSU, Frankwell and Ken's paths diverged as they each focused on their career and family life. In 2005, they reconnected once again and used the internet to stay in touch. Since then, they have maintained a close friendship, meeting up at annual professional gatherings and other events in Taiwan, where they both live today.
Today, Frankwell is the co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Andes Technology Corporation, the world's leading embedded processor intellectual property supplier.

Ken worked in Silicon Valley for 20 years before moving to Taiwan to run Rafael Microelectronics, a global leader in radio-frequency ICs (RFICs), common pieces found in mobile and wireless devices. He worked as the general manager of Rafael for over seven years, before retiring in May 2024.

Frankwell and Ken remain committed to strengthening professional ties within the engineering community in the Pacific Northwest. Recently, they launched a research internship program at PSU's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, providing funding for freshmen and sophomores to gain early research and internship experience in a PSU lab under the mentorship of faculty.

In 2023, Frankwell visited Portland State for the first time in many years. Returning to campus, he was inspired to help students in obtaining professional research experience as part of their education. Frankwell established a research fund at PSU and subsequently invited Ken to join the initiative. Ken enthusiastically agreed, and together, the two alumni are providing crucial academic support to students at PSU's Maseeh College.

As PSU continues to nurture future engineers, the achievements of alumni like Frankwell and Ken serve as a testament to the university's enduring legacy of 50 years of engineering excellence. Their ongoing support and contributions highlight their commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators.

If you're interested in supporting PSU's Maseeh College, please click here.