Portland State Electrician Leroy has earned a reputation as one of the most skilled technicians on campus. Leroy Laush works as an Instrument Technician at Portland State University. He started this job in March 1996, which means he has worked there for almost 30 years now. His long service shows how much the school trusts his skills.
Leroy lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He went to school at Portland Community College and Portland State University. This mix of schooling gives him both hands-on skills and deeper knowledge about how things work.
Before joining Portland State, Leroy worked at NSI (now called Leviton) from 1993 to 1996. There, he fixed electronics, helped customers, and built new lighting control systems. These early jobs helped him gain the skills he now uses every day.
His bosses at Portland State speak highly of his work. One review said, “Quality of work continues at the highest level once again in 2019.” This kind of praise shows why so many people trust Leroy with their electrical needs.
What Does Portland State Electrician Leroy Do?
Leroy does much more than just fix broken lights. As an Instrument Technician, he works on scientific tools used in labs and classrooms. He fixes broken circuits, designs new ones, and builds custom parts when needed.
He works with complex machines like spectrometers, gas testing tools, and electron microscopes. Many of these devices cost thousands of dollars, and Leroy’s skills help the school save money on repairs and replacements.
Each morning, Leroy checks all the electrical systems on campus. He makes sure everything works properly before students and teachers arrive. This helps prevent problems before they can disrupt classes or research.
Throughout the day, he responds to calls about problems in classrooms, labs, and dorms. Whether it’s flickering lights or broken outlets, Leroy can quickly find and fix the issue. His quick work keeps campus life running smoothly.
Special Projects and Upgrades
A big part of Leroy’s job involves installing new systems and upgrading old ones. He puts in new lighting in lecture halls and adds equipment to research labs. Each project must meet both safety rules and user needs.
In 2025, Oregon banned fluorescent tubes, so Leroy helps change campus lighting to LED systems. This work saves money, helps the environment, and follows new laws. It shows how electricians must keep up with changing rules.
Leroy also responds to emergencies, sometimes at a moment’s notice. Once, during a big campus event, the main stage lost power just before the show. Leroy found the problem and fixed it so quickly that when the lights came back on, the crowd cheered.
He maintains all electrical systems to prevent such emergencies. This includes regular checks, tests, and keeping records of all work done. By finding small problems early, he stops them from becoming bigger issues later.
Challenges Portland State Electrician Leroy Faces
Working at a busy university brings many challenges. Each day brings new problems, and no two fixes are exactly the same. Leroy must think quickly and find creative solutions for each unique situation.
Many campus buildings are quite old, with outdated wiring systems. This makes repairs harder and more complex. Leroy must find ways to fix these old systems or safely upgrade them to modern standards.
Portland’s rainy weather adds another challenge, especially for outdoor electrical work. Leroy plans carefully to keep work moving forward safely, even during wet or snowy days. Safety always comes first in his planning.
Time management also tests his skills, as students need access to buildings throughout the day. Leroy must schedule work to cause the least disruption while still getting everything done on time. He never cuts corners on safety, no matter the time pressure.
How Leroy Helps Portland State University
Leroy’s work directly helps research and teaching at Portland State. By keeping scientific tools working properly, he enables faculty and students to conduct important research. Many studies would stop without his expert maintenance.
The surface mount facility he maintains lets teachers and students create custom circuits for their projects. This advanced technology supports innovative research and gives students hands-on experience with real-world electronics.
Beyond fixing things, Leroy mentors interns interested in electrical work. He teaches them complex ideas and helps build their confidence. Seeing them grow into skilled workers has been one of the best parts of his long career.
This teaching role helps train new electricians, which meets the growing need for skilled workers. By sharing his knowledge, Leroy ensures his expertise will continue helping others long after his own career ends.
Latest Trends Affecting Electricians Like Leroy
The electrical field keeps changing, and Leroy stays current through ongoing training. He learns about new systems, tools, and methods to work safely and effectively. This commitment to learning sets him apart from many others.
For university electricians, training focuses on new technologies, energy saving practices, and safety rules. These skills matter greatly in school settings, where both teaching needs and research demands must be met.
Several trends now shape Leroy’s work, including more focus on renewable energy sources. Portland State wants to cut energy costs while helping the environment, and Leroy helps integrate these new systems with existing ones.
Smart building systems now connect lighting, heating, and security through computer networks. Leroy must understand both electrical systems and how they connect to these networks. His broad knowledge helps the whole campus run more smoothly.
Why Portland State Electrician Leroy Matters
Leroy Laush represents the often unseen experts who keep large institutions running smoothly. His nearly three decades at Portland State show his lasting impact on campus life, research capabilities, and teaching facilities.
As we move through 2025, experts like Leroy take on even more important roles. They not only maintain basic systems but also lead the way toward sustainable practices and new technologies. Their work shapes the future of campus operations.
The skills, problem-solving ability, and dedication Leroy brings to his job highlight why technical experts matter so much in modern schools. He doesn’t just “keep the lights on” – he makes cutting-edge research possible, supports excellent teaching, and helps create a greener campus.
For students, staff, and faculty at Portland State University, Leroy’s work touches almost every aspect of daily life. Though they may not see him often, his expertise powers their studies, research, and campus experiences every single day.
