Portland State University Alumni News Downtown visions
Portland State University Alumni News Spring 1984 On the inside Milwaukie Storefront Project / 3 City, county and university ;o;n to save downlown Milwaukie Remembering Tennessee Williams / 5 Awess Barbara Baxley brings 36 years of chealer to PSU slUden!> and slage Dave Opoien ('83) / 6 Fresh out of school, marketing grad se/ls safety for a living Carolyn Davidson ('71) / 7 The Nike "swoosh" was her big break Biological brothers / 8·9 Alums Peter and Paul Paquet use the" biology degrees 10 save fish and wolves Foundation News / 10 Alumni News / 11 Campus New. /13, 14 Calendar / 15 On the cover: Downtown Portland Viewed through bubble Windows on the Professional Schools Building. Portland: Carl Abbott, Urban Studies Urban historian keeps finding things to write about this 'lively city' by Clarence Hein "Writing a book about a city is a great way to learn about it." Carl Abbott, professor of urban studies, is in his Francis Manor office at PSU's School of Urban and Public Affairs, explaining how a historian - born, raised and educated in the major cities of the midwest - landed at PSU teaching urban affairs courses and writing books about Portland. "My training is in American history and I've always been interested in the classic study of American pioneers, covered wagons, and all of that," Abbott says. "But, at the same time, I've been fascinated by the role the cities have played in the development of the west." Portland was not the first western city to capture Abbott's interest. His first stop after earning degrees at Swarthmore and the University of Chicago was on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. "When my first teaching assignment at the University of Denver incl uded a course on the history of Colorado, I had to do a lot of reading really fast. Once I had all that material pulled together, I ended up writing a book." The book, Colorado: A History of the Centennial State, was not cast from the mold of traditional state histories. "I wrote the book because I saw a vacuum, a lack of the kind of history book I felt was needed ." What kind was that? "First, readable," Abbott says with a laugh, hastening to add, "That is, something written for a general audience which also could be used as a text. Second, I felt there needed to be a book giving the emphasis to the role of Denver in the history of Colorado which it deserved." Arriving at Portland State in 1978, Abbott found himself living and working in the middle of what he considers one of the best and most exciting case studies in urban planning and development in the country. His interest was spurred by the fact that Portland "has remained a lively city at the same time that it has grown into a successful metropolis." Abbott began an intensive study of the evolution of the city, which resfJlted in Portland: Planning, Politics, and Growth in a Twentieth Century City, a book about the development of Portland from the turn of the century to today. Portland provides an excellent object lesson in the importance of political leadership and public support in comprehensive urban planning, Abbott says. "We did not have (such) planning in Portland until the last 15 to 20 years." In the book, published last year, Abbott says, "I use the development of planning, the planning commission, and planning activities as a framework. I wanted to see how these decisions impacted the kind of city that we live in; how they shaped our everyday lives." Continued on p. 2
Abbott can't stop writing, learning about Portland Continued from p. 1 Abbott devotes a good deal of his book to the evolution of the major planning decisions of the past two decades, such as the South Auditorium Urban Renewal Project, the revitalization and expansion of the downtown core, development of the city's waterfront, the transit mall, and neighborhood preservation. What he discovered, he said, is that "if you don't have political support, planning doesn't mean anything." Portland has been fortunate at some critical times to have both public and political support for key decisions. A current example, one that Abbott believes will help further revitalize downtown, is the Pioneer Square development. "This is an example of a real public-private effort. There are people who have questions about the design or about the entire project, but the square is completed and I believe it will be used." He pointed out that Pioneer Square organizers are being careful to schedule a lot of public events in the space early in its existence. "People will get into the habit of using that space, particularly as the weather gets better, and it will be a real addition to the area." The Pioneer Square development is one kind of effort which every city must make, Abbott says. "A city can live indefinitely if it does two things: If it maintains a diversified economy; and if it keeps recycling and reinvesting its older sections." He feels Portland is doing both. A joy to receive news from Alma Mater I am handicapped and alone in my room most of the time. It is always a joy to receive news of PSU-my Alma Mater. My PSU days were made memorable by the wonderful and intellectually stimulating times I had with friends among student.s and faculty. My studies-as I earned my SA degree in SOCiology-have been invaluable in helping me face times of almost insurmountable difficulties and severe physical pain. I am grateful to PSU, Ada May Page ('69) Kent, WA Widely read Thank you for a lovely article in the PSU Perspective (Winter 1984, 2 "You have to improve transportation and rehabilitate older buildings while redeveloping downtown. You have to keep up the older parts of the city, maintain them physically and SOcially to make them serve another generation." "That's what we did here during the 1970s," he says.'''We made sure that downtown Portland and the older neighborhoods would be useful and attractive for anolher generation, for people during the 19805 and 19905, But, we'll have 10 do it again, and again. Each generation, I think, has to look at what is needed to keep the city alive." The "we" in his discussion of Portland is conspicuous. Abbott admits that he and his (amily now are "confirmed Portlanders." And it is with obvious pride Ihal he speaks of Portland's "extraordinarily successful downtown." He is similarly enthusiastic about the place and potential of Portland State "There aren't many schools like PSU," he says. "This is the kind of school that I think is on the frontier of American higher education. This is where educational change is likely to occur." Portland State's stTength lies in its ability 10 "serve the various clienteles of the city with the kind of flexibility you don't have at more traditional campuses," believes Abbott. A tireless, energetic scholar and a prolific writer, Carl Abbott already has produced half a dozen books and "Headmistress comes late to French, starts school children early"). You do a superb job in presenting information and photos and are to be congratulated on a fine newspaper. realize and can appreciate the amount of time and energy you devote to the newspaper and have come to find out how widely read it is. Jane Josselyn (,69) Portland Quite impressed My interest was caught by your articles on bilingualism and French in the most recent Perspective (Winter 19B4). This is the first issue of Perspective I have read, as my husband is the Portland State graduate in the family and he only recently registered with the Alumni Office. I am quite impressed! You produce a very readable publication. Andrea Mack Davis, CA numerous articles and scholarly papers concerned with urban history. And he has more to write about Portland. While the ink still is drying on Portland, he has begun work on another book, this one a popular history of the city to be published by Windsor Press under the auspices of the PSU Foundation. "This will be an entertaining, coffee table type book," he says. "U's an exercise for me in writing for a more general audience and it will have to be concise, more focused Ihan a text." "Of course every professor thinks that his subject is endlessly Writer wanted Perspective is looking for a creative. reliable writer, preferably a graduate of Portland Siale. to take assignments as well as to generate original ideas for stories. We offer a competitive per-word rate, but no one gets rich on a quarterly, so the job would be partly a labor of love. Please contact editor Cynthia Stowell at News and Information Services, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, Oregon 97207; (503) 229-371 1, fascinating. Whatever it is, you're convinced that every detail is of immense value." Those feelings can't be indulged in a popular book, he noted. The book. Portland: Gateway to the Northwest, will be completed nexl year. The subject - the city Abbott calls home - may never cease to hold his interest. "You know, one of Portland's problems always has been that it hasn't thought big enough. II'S as if Portlanders don't believe that this is a major city ... but it is." A major city which, the urban historian says with a laugh, he finds "endlessly faSCinating. " Editor's note Perspective now taking ads Beginning with this issue, PSU Perspective opens its columns on a limited basis to outside advertisers. By presenting tasteful and interesting advertisements, we hope to provide a service to alumni while defraying part of our publication costs. Perspective has carried ads for the University's Alumni Office and other University programs featuring trips, classes and programs specifically for alumni. Now, community businesses are also invited to advertise. And. to further serve our alumni, Perspective will offer a 10 percent discount on ad costs to businesses owned or operated by PSU alumni. For a Perspective advertising rale card. call or write: News and Information Services, PSU, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207, (503) 229·3711. We also welcome your comments on the appearance of advertising in Perspective. mIT ~ r s p e c t i v e PSU f'enptdive ~ published q .... fit'rlv dur'"8 !he )'eoiU by News .nd Inform.aIlOl SeNKn for .Iumnl, '.cully..-.d st.ff ¥1d friends d PorIland S t . t e U n ~ r s i t y . ldilor C vnltli.1o D. SIoweIl C o n t r i b u t O l 1 C t . 1 o I l ! O C ~ H e i n '65 CliffJol!o!lOfl ~ E d i t o r P . l t S c o t i Chante of .todd..-: Send bach _ ;and old a d d ~ ~ w , o s 10 PSU I'etspect'", P.O. Bolt 751, PorIi.1ood $t.1ole Univemty. Portto!nd. Oreson, 97207 'oIIreqls: If this is'Wt' i ~ a d d r e s ~ 10 vour 'lOll 01' daughter who no longer molllr\tair'l!l 011 ptmUoenI .toddrffl.llt your home. p I e ~ l1OI:i,..,. the PSU Alumni O f f k ~ ISO)·229-4948) of the new /TI.1oihnlJ ....... , PSU supportS equ.l1 to.x:oiIooo;1I opportUnity Wlthoul .n:llo _. r.lCe. ~ n d l a p , • • ~ 1 1 O r \ , ) 1 Ofi8ln, mMlliIl SWUs.. 01' ~ , g i o n .
A storefront with a cause Faculty, students and an alum work for the future of downtown Milwaukie by Cynthia D. Stowell With the spotlight on downtown Portland and its successful revitalization efforts, the needs of smaller surrounding cities can be eclipsed. Downtown areas swallowed up by Portland's expanding boundaries are further compromised each time the larger city makes its core more appealing. Milwaukie is one such city facing a crisis of identity. Once separated from Portland by open fields and a long streetcar ride, the 130-year old city is now-nearly indistinguishable from Portland's southward sprawl. And yet Milwaukie stiU has a distinct downtown area and a number of old-timers who remember the city as something more than a suburb of Portland. "Milwaukie is a community in transition," said Sheldon Edner. principal investigator for the Milwaukie Storefront Project, a joint revitalization effort of Clackamas County, Milwaukie and PSU's Center for Urban Studies. "lts downtown core is declining, or at least not growing, its population is getting older, and its economic base is limited." Edner, a professor of urban studies at PSU and assistant director of the Center, sees the Storefront's mission as "knitting together the business community" 50 downtown merchants can begin to address their common problems and plan ahead. "We're working with today's residents toward tomorrow's future," said Edner, pleased with his impromptu slogan. The Milwaukie Storefront Project, staffed by five PSU graduate students and an intern from Clackamas Community College, opened last September in leased office space on 21st Street in downtown Milwaukie. Among the staff's plans for the yearlong project have been to analyze Milwaukie's economic base, make suggestions for development, help merchants make aesthetic improvements, and stage promotional events, such as an outdoor market, to draw attention to downtown. In their regular one-on-one visitations to merchants, students have uncovered other concerns--such as parking- which they've also tried to address. "The team has done a super job," said Topaz Faulkner ('82 MUP), Milwaukie's Director of Planning and Community Services and graduate of PSU's School of Urban and Public Affairs. "And they came with such ambitious expectations." It was clear from the start that the Storefront would be "adion-oriented," said coordinator Mark Clemons, a third-term student in PSU's masters of urban studies program. "This project will only work if you're on the street-visible, accessible and responsive. You've got to offer them something." Clemons offers not only his classrooom knowledge, but also years of experience in community and neighborhood action groups in the Portland area. Another student, Jane Altier, was an intern in Faulkner's office when the idea for the project began to take shape. "She and I talked about downtown revitalization," said Faulkner, who had recently reestablished the downtown business association. When the city received a PSU students Tom Harry and lane Altier (above) k»ok over plans for foJcade improvement oJt storefront project in Milwaukie. At an e v ~ i n , meetin" storefront coordina· tor Mark Clemons (rishl, al cenler) talks with businessmen about downtown issues. 3-year block grant for building improvements it became apparent that the merchants needed some direction. Faulkner and Altier then began to look for funding for a kind of "Mainstreet" project inspired by the 7-year projects launched across the country by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Funding came principally through a federal community development block grant to Clackamas County, matched with hard and soft monies from the city of Milwaukie and a pledge of personnel and services (beyond the contract terms) from Portland State. local businesses even showed their support by donating furniture and printing services to the Storefront. The 12-month project differs from Mainstreet operations in its short duration and the absence of a downtown manager. "What can five students from Portland State do? We're considered temporary," said Clemons on the day after a Storefront workshop on facade improvement failed to attract any interest. Despite his discouragement, Clemons had a practical answer to his question. "My goals are to come up with a solution for the parking problem, have three or four businesses improve their facades, and leave them with a feeling that something can happen." The Storefront's parking study may well be its biggest contribution to Milwaukie. At the kick-off meeting for the project's "let's Get Physical" visual improvement campaign, business owners listened politely to presentations on awnings, planters and other aesthetic considerations, but discussion didn't get off the ground until the parking study was summarized. The study, which indicated that over 60% of prime downtown parking was being used by business employees, offered down·to-earth recommendations to the merchants. By the end of the meeting, they were talking about forming action groups to come up with solutions block by block. "Design was an issue we came to town with on our agenda," remarked Clemons. "Parking is theirs." "Neighborhoods organize around problems and issues that they're concerned about," he continued on an academic note. "Planners try and draw from the people what their goals are for themselves and mesh them with their own vision. It's a subjective process; planning is value-laden." Clemons is dearly excited about seeing his classroom experience echoed in his Storefront work. 'We sit in class and talk about planning and problems and citizen participation and values. It's purely academic. Now I'm seeing those things in practice. It gets frustrating, but I can see a few successes." The planner's biggest challenge, feels Clemons, is to convince townspeople that "change is not negative." A planner has to tell people, "Your town is not going to stay the same. What do you want your town to bel You can just let it happen or you can manage it and plan for it." Change is an "organic process" that without planning can result in sprawl, traffic pollution and other common urban problems, says Clemons. In Milwaukie, change has come to be viewed negatively. Platted in the 18505, Mi Iwaukie developed a strong commercial identity based on farming. forest prooucts and the Willamette River. In the last few decades. Milwaukie has Continued on p. 12 3
Compiled by Cliff Johnson '50s D ~ v i d E. I n g e ~ (56) works as an advocacy spedali§t for the United Cerebral Palsy ....ssociation. Ingerson himself suffers from cerebral palsy, a condition caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls and cOQfdinates muscular action. ~ m ~ D. Wilson ( ' S ~ ) , superintendent of the Curry C()Unly, Ore. Education Service Di§trict since 1981, has been appointed to the state Consolidated Education Grants Advisory Committee, established to advise the State Board of Education on formulas used in allocating federal money to local school distridS. He lives in Gold Beilch. '60s George H. Abu, Jr. 1'68, '78 MS), chief Instructor in the Culinary Arts Department ilt Clark College, Vancouvet', Wash. since 1974, is a member of the bO<IrcI of directors of the Oregon Chefs De Cuisine Society, which named him Chef of the Year in 1 ~ 8 l . M. E ~ r BoJrre" (,67) is a professor of bUSiness administration and d l f l ~ c t o r of the MugUire Oil and Gas Institute at Southern Methodist UnivMity, Dallas, Texas. He also is president of Management Education Centef, Inc., in Dallas. GeroJkI DeChoJine 1'62) is a professor of Chemistry at Mendocino Junior College, Ukiah, Calif George Erwin ('68) has been promoced to 5eOlClf vice president of marketing and prodlKl planning al Amencan Data, part of Orbanc:o financial Services Corp. in Portland. He also is active in thto VtSlllng Nurses Association. Jilme5 ('60) and Piltrki.l ('59) fowk!r are reliring this June. He is the supermtendent of Calexico, Calif. schools and she is a leoKner. They look forward to fishmg, reading and t t a ~ l i n g . Judy HoillftS ('65), a n.ational award.winning watercolor-artist and faculty member at Central Oregon Community College, Bend, Ore., waS one of three artists to exhibit worM recently at Sllnriver lodge's UPpef Gallery, located near Beod. Rich.,d P. Miltthews ('68) is director of tM! Washington County Museum, localro west of Portland at Portland Community College's Rock Creek campus. Shirley Phillips, Ph,D, ('69 MS) is Director of Microbiology at Emanuel Hospital's Laboralory in Portland. Leo M. Smith ('tl7), who retired in 1981, reports he is selling real eslate part lime, and enjoying ~ o g r a p h y , traveling and dancing. lnnnis L west 1'63) has been named deputy executive director of the Port of Portland. Now second m command under the Port'.. executive director, Lloyd "nderson, west formerly ~ r v e d under Anderwn (or two year.. when Ander.son was a Portland City Council member. West also h a ~ taught urban studies at PSU. loon G. Wienclten ('MI) is an accountant who speciidizes in helping falling companies back to financial heahh. Hts work on behalf 0( such majOr cltents as Empire Pacific Industries and Northern Special'y Sales Inc. was recently profiled in The Orl!fJOflian. '70s James C. A . a I ~ 1'72) has been named vice prestdeot and manager of the Raimer National Bank Commerctal Banking Center in Portland ttonilld L Andtorson ('72 MB....', formerly dm'ctor 01 Personnel Services at PSU, has been named assistant vtcc·chancellor for personnel s.ervices in the Oregon State SvstE'm of Higher EducatIOn 4 Sister Grace Anne Boys (,76 MSW) recently earned her Ph.D. in applied social SCiences at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. She lives in Beavenon, Ore. P.uline M. B r ~ o r d ('70) is employed as director of ~ i a l projects at f'enins.ula School 10 North Portland. She obtained a master's degree in educatlOfl at the University of Portland in '979. Sleven M. Cern ('7l) married Lorraine Therese DeDonato Jan. 14 at Madeleine Roman Catholic Church, Penland. AftE'f a reception at Willamette ....thletic Club, the couple honeymooned 10 Hawaii. Milrci Cl.lril.Yung ('71) has been named Director of f'tt)'iician Recruitmefll and Benefits for Northwest Permanenle, P.e., the area physician group of the Kaiser Permanente Health Care Program, Portland. Edwin S. Collier {'70 MAn. P.l(ific University thealer professor and long·time on·air talent for G.r. Joe's television and radio commercials, has been named the new staging director fOf the Champoeg HistOrical Pageant this summer. He is OIl a year's leave from Pacific to entff the doctOlal program in theater and television at the University of Oregon. William J. Criteser ('77) was named group claims manager.lI First farwest Insurance Companies, Portland, in February. David Jilme$ Dunnn ('73), author of The Rivt!f Why, his first novel and the first novel published by Sierra Club Books, returnPd to Portland State May 9 10 give a reading in ~ : ' : d ! ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ t ~ ~ ~ ~ r = r : t ~ ~ ~ f o ~ ~ ; ~ U English faculty members Phil Ford, Margaret Oarke and Tom Burnam. Nick flUKe ('76), a silk screener by tr.lde who makes T·shll1s and Jackets, is cultivating his tenniS game as a member of the Washington Park Hacklffs, a group of profidenl amateur tennis players who enJoy pursuing their game on local public tennis courts. Eric D. funk ('75, '78 MSn IS a leacher in the Vocational Music O e p a ~ n t at Ponland Community College. Rich H . l 1 ~ y , Jr. ('74), a popular JilZZ m ~ t c i a n , horn p l a ~ r and ensemble leader with e'(tenSive international experience, also works iI day job as a computet' programmer (or Blue Cross & ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ : ~ ~ g ~ ~ ~ d ~ ~ ~ ; ~ ~ K f r : i t 7 ! e . Oilnirl J. Hiclcmiln (,74) works as a chemist in the Oregon Department of Environmental Q ~ a l i t y ' s labor_tory for research and applied Edgar N. JoJme5 1'70) has pined the Washington, D.e. corporate law fifm of Zuckerman. Spaeder, Moore, Taylor & Kolker a.. an associate. Gregory S. JohnSOfl ('73) has worked for the past four years as a case manager supervisin8 chronically mentally ill adults served by Clackamas County Mental Health Center's lINC Program IUving In Community). John D. Kirby ('70) is a panner in the Kinney Bros. and Keele Hardware .. tore, whIch recently re-opened in the new Town Square Complex in OntaftO, Ofe. ShiIbt4Iy "Shilb" levy ('73) is a difector of exhibits at the Oregof'l Museum of SCience and Industry in Portland. He has been in the mus.eum buSiness fO( more than 20 years, 17 of them at OMSI. Bri.n Thomas lewis (,77) bfogan his studies this spring OIl the American Graduale School of Inlernational ~ n a g e m e n t , Thunderbird campus, at Glendale, Ariz. Gary Ma:r1in 1'77) is ,---==--- the new D I f t ~ ( l o r of Personnel Services at PSU. He had worked for the State Employment DtvtSlOn ..... h i l e a S l ~ n t a t PSU and followmg graduatton Most recently, he Wen Oreson Petwnnel Manageffor Willamette todUStfle'! In Albany RECREATION EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OFFERS SUMMER FUN PSU Alumni are planning a full calendar of summer events for your recreational enjoyment. Day trips, weekend tours, longer outings. Fun ... inexpensive ... relaxing ... energetic. You name it - we have something for everyone. Write or call now for detailed brochures RAFTING and flO....TING Exciting white water runs of Oregon's prernierrivefS X.cOUNTRY SKIING (AMP Lessons with certififod instructors plus eKlfas fiSHING Roo building and guided tours to catch the big ooes BICYCLE TOURS A wide variety of trips for individuals and families THE SUMMER SKI EXPERIENCE JUNE 22-24 Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced Cross-country skiiers - sign up today for The Summer Ski Experience. Three days of skiing MI. Hood's famous Palmer lift. swimming at Timberline Lodge ...special barbecue d inner at Illumination Rock on MI. Hood. Have a wonderful time improving your x-c downhill skiing .. in the sun! Week-end package includes all meals, lodging al Mazama Lodge, x·country skiing lessons, and guided climb of Mt. Hood. Write or call PSU Alumni now (or brochure and details. Sponsored by PSU Alumni and Timberline Nordic. PSU ALUMNI TOURS p () Ho, -').2 Porlimd ()R q-":I)- ~ I I \ .; • ~ (I ..t ( I ..t {! karen Martini ('73), formerly development officer at PSU, has been named Direclor of Annual funds at Reed CoUege, Portland. Cheryl McCord ('76) is a publications anorney with the Oregon State Bat. Gail """ Melson (70), a registered 5eCurities representative, has joined the Salem branch office of liberty Finar'l(ial Planners, and has been appointed as the firm's representative for the McMinnville, Ore. area. Paul Meyer ('73) works for Pacific Engineering Corp.• Ponland, focusing on PGE Company's Nuclear Plant Engineering Group. His family's third child, Ross, was born during t983. leomrd W. Nichenko ('75) is tile purchasing manager at fUR Systems, Inc., a photographic eqUipment and supplies firm in lake Oswego, Ore. CriliS A. N i c ~ s (,77), who earned his law degree at Gonzaga University Law School in 1981, is an attorney in private practice in downtown Portland. AdeJe OOOn ('7& MS), who has spent the past 2] years in the education field, has been named teacher of the year in the Battle Ground, Wash. school distill:!. She is a c o u n ~ l o r at Praine High School. John G. ' e ~ r s o n (73 MS) hilS been named associate professor of pharmacy at Ferris State Coltege, Big Rapids, Mich• .. Ie was most recently a post-doctoral fellow at the University of WiKoosin's School of Pharmacy. David B. Petrie (,77 MBAJls the IK'W vice president of fifrCal service'! at Southwest Washington Hospitals. He is also board chairman at Columbia Communtly Creeht Union, and is president-elect of the Heahocare Financial Management Msociahon's Oregon chapter. He and hiS Wife live m Vancou\-ef, Wash. with their t".o children. Ruby Sanbom (,?,2) IS a regional tralnmg ~ p e c l a h s t m eqUipment serviCes for Eastman Kooak Company in Siln Francisco. Moibel E. S c h ~ a c k ('77 MS) plans to retirl' in June, after completing a leaching career In Woodburn, Ore. spanning more than 26 years. I."'" R. Schlauch 1'79) has }Dined hiS father, Sill, in forming a new firm. Cardmal Trading ltd. The Portland firm already handles much of the lumber exporting business fOfmerly handled by Georgia.PaciflC, International, which recently was moved to Atlanta, Ga. ~ r a h M. uhlilnd ('71) serves as executive director for educational activities wltn Msoclated Oregon Industries, the Slate's largest business lobby. Eric P. Verheiden 1'74). who received his Ph.D from (allech, now works as a systems engineering speciaiisl for ....erojet·General Corp. 10 develop on·board computers for space satellites. He lives in Azusa, Calif. Esther Williamson ('79) recently retired after nearly 28 years with W e y e r h a e u ~ r Co., longview, Wash., and is busy learning about Computffii at a local community college, caring for her grandchIldren, and taking swimming lessons. fohn c. "Chad" Yowell ('7& MSn has been named dean of students at Pacific U n i v e r ~ l t y , Forest Grove, Ore. He formerly served as acting associate dean of students and director of athletics attne u n l v e r ~ i l y . Vowell, hiS WI(l' and their four children live in Hillsboro. '80s loon c. Allen III (,8) MS) has been admitted to the Ph.D. program in !oOCiOlogy .11 Wa>hmgton Slate University, Pullman. Wash. He p l c l n ~ to continue his research on how t e l e v i ~ i o n influences the voting habits oi people. and how the medium influences attitudes to'.\ilrd the elderly. Marl.' AlumNotH on p. '1
by Clarence Hein For Broadway and motion picture actress Barbara Baxley, being artist·in-residence with PSU's School of Performing Arts this spring has meant the opportunity to pursue twn consuming personal interests: working with students and performing the work of playwright Tennessee Williams, with whom she had a long and close friendship. At PSU, Baxley has been working with students five hours a week in an advanced acting workshop while, at the same time, preparing the role of Princess in the PSU production of Williams' "Sweet Bird of Youth," running May 10·19 in Uncoln Hall Auditorium. It has made for a heclic schedule, but one which the actress has enjoyed. "I like the leaching," she says. "I've been laught by the very best people in the country (Elia Kazan, Sanford Meisner). I've been very lucky there, and I try to impart what they did to me." Watching Baxley work with the PSU students, you can sense the affinity she has for them and the respect they have for her. When they talk, she listens; and when she talks, they listen. During performance of a ten-minute dramatic scene by t\vo students, Baxley sat quietly engrossed in their work. For the next 25 minutes, she talked, questioned, probed, suggested... pushing the students to think more deeply about the roles, the scene, the play and all aspects of the performance. "The playwright says what to do, but usually not how," she says later. "Making choices of how to approach the role...and being committed to that choice, putting all your energy into it, that's the hard part of acting. It's not easy and I don't think anyone knows what actors go through in creating a new part." In addition to her teaching schedule, Barbara Baxley spends several hours eolch day with the cast and director Jack Featheringill in rehearsals (or "Sweet Bird of Youth," by Tennessee Williams. She speaks with obvious fondness when discussing the late playwright's work and its effect on her. "I think what is so special about Tennessee is. first. the tenderness with which he looked at everything and everybody in life. He didn't leave anyone out with that tenderness and humanity of his, II she says. Pausing to light a cigarette and collect her thoughts, the actress continues in that distinctively husky voice, the kind that once was described as "sultry." "And, in each of his plays, he talks about how difficult it sometimes is to live. h's not an easy existence for anybody, But he always says, 'you have to go on.' No matter how difficult things are to deal with, he says, go on." Talking Tennessee Visiting artist Barbara Baxley talks about her old friend Tennessee Williams, teaching, and time. " .. .as time rushes by, you have to go on, keep doing your tap dance and change with the music. " She says that message is repeated in "Sweet Bird of Youth." "It's the same, only more so. He was older when he wrote this play, and it talks about the inability to keep things the same. You grow older. It may be a tragedy, but it happens. And in spite of the changes that occur as time rushes by, you have to go on, keep doing your tap dance and change with the music." Baxley had starring roles in two of Williams' plays on Broadway, "Camino Real" and "Period of Adjustmenl," earning a Tony nomination for the latter. She, Williams and playwright William Inge all were close friends, " I liked Tennessee's work, and I liked the man himself," she says. "When he was around you, you couldn't lie, because he didn't; you couldn't hide, because he didn't; you just became more of yourself." Barbara Baxley's Brooldway, film and television credits include some of the best of each medium over the past three decades. Besides the Williams plays, she has had major roles in "Plaza Suite," "Bus Stop," "The Three Sisters," "Private lives," and many Shakespeare plays. She also starred in the musical "She loves Me," where she first met Featheringill, who also worked on the New York production, In 1980, Featheringill directed Baxley in Neil Simon's liThe Gingerbread lady," as part of the PSU Players summer stock program at the Coasler Theater in Cannon Beach. Baxley has appeared in such recent films as "Norma Rae" and "Nashville," and her television work has included the repertory series "Studio 1" and "Playhouse 90." Adress Barbara Baxley took time out from her bus)' tl'aching schedule to talk about he, work (top). Back in class, me struck a ~ for students (above). What's on tap for Barbara Baxley in the future? New roles, or more teaching, perhaps? " I don't know. I've been doing this (acting) for 36 years and maybe that's enough. There is no way to make it painless." She lights another cigarette and adds, "Well, as you can see, this year I've spent a good deal of time teaching. I like the kids. They're young and enthusiastic and there are worlds ahead of them, b u ~ ~ I ~ ! ~ t d ~ ~ ~ t ~ p ~ : ; ; : y ' s immediate future will involve PSU and Oregon. From June 28 to July 15, she will make her second appearance at the Coaster Theater in Cannon Beach, recreating her "Sweet Bird" role for summer audiences. "Sweet Bird of Youth, " by Tennessee Wifliams, with Barbara Baxley as Princess, runs May 10·12, /1-19 al8 p.m. and May 13 all p.m. in Lincoln Hall Auditorium on the PSU campus. Reservations may be made through the P5U Box Office, 229·4440. The play will also run at the Coaster Theater in Cannon Beach, June 28·July 75. Barbara Baxley appears through the courtesy of Actors' Equity Association. 5
Marketing grad jumps feet-first into business of selling safety by Cliff johnson Taking one hundred trips down an enclosed nylon rescue slide in a single day to promote a new product al a local home show would make a less intrepid person start looking for another job. But Dave Opoien ('83) figures it's just another challenge in a difficult (irst year of selling safety (or a living. The recently graduated marketing major jumped into a hectic professional career feet·(irst when he and a partner decided to take on statewide marketing of the Tualatin, Ore. based Palladium Emergency Evacuation Systems. The product line allows rapid escape from multi·story homes, buildings, derricks, amusemenl sky-rides and other structures. Knowledge that his fabric-enclosed escape slides may some day save some of his customers' lives helps to keep him going despite initial sales resistance to the device. "This first year has been very, very challenging," Opoien admitted during a recent interview. "Just stepping out at 23 years of age and knocking on doors trying to convince people that this is the new way to do things has been extremely difficult. But I keep plugging along with it," he smiled, "and we have made a lot of progress." Several Palladium (the word means "safeguard") models are available 10 meet customers' needs, Opoien reports. In permanent building installations, the flexible cocoon o( rip-stop nylon is easily released from its anchored storage cabinet so that it unfurls to near-ground level for safe descent. Equipped with aluminized coating and elasticized panels, the escape slide can protect large and small people alike from heat, flames and flying cinders as occupants enter it feel·first and then inch their way down to safety. Pushing outward with arms, hands and legs helps to control the speed of descent. The device is so flexible, reports Opoien, that occupants ranging from infants to adults with as big as 55-inch waists can be served by the same slide. Even unconscious, injured or disabled users can be accommodated, with the aid of staff training provided by Opoien and his sales partner, Bill Deane. Fire department officials are a key sales target for Opoien's firm, and one Palladium model can be deployed from the operator's bucket located on the tip of a fire truck's telescoping aerial boom. Another can be strapped to a firefighter's back and carried to the upper floors of a building for emergency use. Since custom·built Palladium systems are already in service in several hospitals, rest homes, historic 6 buildings as well as in fire departments throughout the Pacific Northwest, one would think that selling the device would not present many difficulties. But as of the end of March, the Palladium systems had not yel been reported used during an actual fire situation, and the lingering skepticism creates a sales problem for Opoien. It is all reminiscent of the introduction of smoke detectors, which people were reluctant to install but later found to be a life-saving investment, says Opoien. But Opoien does have a growing cadre of customers who are convinced this is indeed an idea whose time has come. "I love iI," he enthused. "It's one of the best ideas I've ever seen, and that's why I got involved. Every time I'm out in the field giving demonstrations, it's a different situation. Vet we can always make our product fit the need, because it's so versatile." Opoien credits both his PSU education and his own initiative with puning him in the front line of his embryonic industry. "This business I have is very much like you might find in a senior-level case study class, where you're given something new At a recent Portland home show, Dave Opoien ('83) demonstrated the nylon rescue slide he markets for a living. At left, Opoien helps a youngster into the long cocoon, and below, he shows how the slide can be twisted to slow the descent of children and disabled victims. and told to wrestle with making it work," he noted. "It's the same situation in business," he emphasized. "You can't let anything slide. Although you might be able to do that in a class or two. you can't do that here, because everything you do results in either a profit or loss. And," he smiles, "this is real money we're talking aoout." Transferring to PSU from linn-Benton Community College, Opoien was attracted by the University's School of Business Administration as well as its baseball program. He played ball under Coach Jack Dunn for two years but concentrated on his marketing studies during his senior year, while working part·time for a local parcel delivery service run by the man who shortly would become his current business partner. "PSU and the Marketing Department and the Business School taught me quite a bit about having to work hard," he concluded. "I learned you have to keep plugging every day to do well. And I think I've jU5t carried that over into my business life." Th. Tflp 01 fump. SCANDINAVIAN HOLIDAY DENMARK. NORWAY SWEDEN. FINLAND August 5-26 A SCANDINAVIAN PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TOUR Tour leaders Ross Fogelquist, BS '62, MST '65, president of Portland's Scandinavian Club, and Robert W. Matson, professor of history, University of Pittsburgh, have planned a very special journey to the Top of Europe. We'll meet people as they enjoy their own special activities . . . kaffee klatschs, folk dancing, saunas. We'll see Lapland and North Cape...cross the Arctic Circle...and participate in warm Scandinavian hospitality as we visit. • COPENHAGEN. . the Christiansborg and Amalienborg palaces, city hall, Royal Theatre, Round Tower and more. An overnight steamer takes us to .. • OSlO ... the Royal Opera House, Akershus Fortress, the Vigeland sculptures in Frogner Park. Stay at Hotel Continental, then to .. • MORA and STOCKLHOLM ... the Royal Palace, Old Town, the Great Cathedral, a day of leisure, then board a ship to • HElSINKI ... Presidential Palace, the University on Senate Square, a day's excursion to Turku, Ivalo . sail along the Norway coast, stopping at small fishing villages to . • TROMSO AND BERGEN. . Old Town, the home of Edvard Grieg, the harbor ... "Norway in a Nutshell" by rail, ferry and motorcoach. Enjoy a farewell dinner to remember! Call or write PSU Alumni Tours now for brochure and reservations. $2795. PSU ALUMNI TOURS f I ~ I I)" 1" .... I. I " ~
Artist launched design career with a "swoosh" by Cynthia O. Stowell Every time a pair of Nike shoes strides by in a foot race, maneuvers on a racquetball court, or strolls across a college campus, the talents of Carolyn Davidson ('71) are on display. As a design student at Portland Stale fifteen years ago, Davidson launched her career with a swoosh-and our visual landscape hasn't been the same since. The Nike swoosh, easily one of the world's most familiar corporate trademarks, keeps a low profile in Davidson's northeast Portland studio. A gold swoosh·shaped ring on the artist's finger offers the only clue to the origin of the international symbol of speed, comfort and good health. II's not Davidson's style to capitalize on her connection with the Beaverton-based athletic shoe company and its logo. "I'd rather get jobs from satisfied clients than knock on doors and flash my work around," said the busy designer, who only in the last few years has begun to "show off" the swoosh that sits quietly in her portfr,lio. And yet, the importance of that first job is not lost on her. "If it hadn't been for Nike, I wouldn't be here," said Davidson, seated at a drafting table so piled with Cultural Tour CUBA June 15-25 An exciting lO-day trip to Cuba, designed exdu§ively for profes.sional§ in the visual and perfOfming arts. We will stay in Havana and Silntiago de Cuba, SO yO\! may pursue research intereslS through: • Cub.macan, Havana's arts school • National Art Museum with one of Cuba's best·known painters • Cuba's first biennial in plastic arts • Old Havana restoration project with the Chief architect and Histori;:m of City of Havana • Cuban Film Institute • lose Marti National library with Director Julio le Riverend These and many mote special opportunities 10 meet and talk with artists and perfOrmel'!i in their homes andSiooim. For complete details, call or write tod<lY: Mel !(au, PSU artist and professor of art, 229·3515, PSU Art Department. P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207. $1425 from Portland PSU Department of Art and Architecture work that it can't be tilted, "Nike started it aiL I still get referrals from people I worked with there," Colleagues often ask Davidson why she doesn't feel any resentmenl for the multi-million dollar corporation that paid her about $35 (she doesn't remember the exact figure) for her design. Her response: "I billed them and they paid it. What can I say? They started me in business and they've been so loyal to me. I can't think of any reason to hold a grudge." "Nike started it all. I sti II get referrals from people I worked with there." - The people at Nike, Inc. have not forgotten the unassuming young art student who helped get the new line of shoes into the running. last fall, Nike president Robert Woodell called Davidson to invite her for lunch - "to talk over old times." Davidson thought to herself, "Isn't it fantaslic that they still know who I am!" When she arrived, she was greeted with a huge buffet, video cameras and a crowd of appreciative people. The artist was presented with a gold and diamond swoosh ring, some stock in the company, and a tongue-in-cheek certificate blaming her for all of Nike's problems. "They didn't have to do that," she said of the surprise recognition. "That's just the kind of guys they are." Good things seem to come Davidson's way, "1guess I've been kind of blessed by sitting in the right place at the right time," she says of the events that shaped her career. She remembers vividly the day at Portland Carolyn Davidson ('71) State when she and a classmate were Sitting in the hall working on an assignment in perspective and accounting teacher Phillip Knight walked by. Davidson was bemoaning the fact that she couldn'! afford to take a class in oil painting, and Knight made a mental note. Shortly after, Davidson received a call from Knight offering her $2 an hour to make signs and charts for use in his Tiger shoe distributorship. Knight soon came to depend on her work, and when he began dreaming about his own shoe, he asked for her help in developing a trademark. The name "Nike," the winged goddess of victory, came to Knight's partner in a dream, and the pair asked Davidson to dream up a trademark that spoke of "speed." Together, they perfected the swoosh design. "And it kind of looks like a wing, doesn't ill" says Davidson, still excited about her creation. The "swoop," as she sometimes calls it before correcting herself, has been one of the most imitated trademarks. "It's exciting to see your design copied," Davidson smiled, quickly adding, "but, you know, some of their staff lawyers work on nothing but copyright infringement." Davidson no longer handles any of Nike's design needs, "They're real Madison Avenue now," she said, matter-of-factly. "And besides, I wouldn't want to think of ways of selling shoes forever." She loves Ihe great variety of her work. From her home studio she has produced murals, signs, catalogs, company identifications, bread labels, greeting cards and wallpaper. There are no big corporate names other than Nike in Davidson'S portfolio, but she stays busy with jobs she gets mainly through printers. "I look around and I see my de5igns," she said with satisfaction, "I don't mind the glory when it comes my way...but I'm more concerned with doing quality work on time rather than beating out the competition. I want to be able to solve a client's problem so that they're happy." When Davidson graduated from Roosevelt High School in Portland, where she wrote for the student newspaper, she had no idea that a career in art lay ahead. At 22, she married Coast Guard officer Neil Davidson (,75 MS) and found herself at the Port Angeles station as the "only officer's wife without kids. When the ships went out, we'd have coffee klatsches and I'd have nothing to talk to them about." Her husband suggested she take some classes and she did, dabbling in political science and ice skating. When Neil enrolled at Portland State to get his masters in psychology, Carolyn started work on her undergraduate degree, still without real direction. Her first course in design - "the empty elective I happened to take" - opened up a new world for the young woman who had never even doodled with any regularity. "A lot of the students I went to school with didn't go into graphic d ~ i g n because they didn't get the break I did," said Davidson sympathetically. She felt they all received excellent instruction from such "great teachers" as Robert Kasal (now head of the art department), Bettye lou Bennett, and Shirley and Orvid Orbeck, "The teachers in the d ~ i g n program hadn't been teaching for forty years and stagnating. They were all current and busy in their own careers," Now, Davidson feels her biggest challenge is to stay as fresh as her instructors were. "I'm trying very hard not to be stale, to keep my thinking current. I don't want someone to point to something and say 'That's a Carolyn Davidson,'" As silent as she's been about her swoosh, she may keep her public guessing for a long time. 7
Peter Paquet ('75 MS, '79 Ph.D.) feels at home on the rivers of Oregon. Akm8 the banks of the WiliameUe River at Oregon City, where yet another dam and power project are being proposed, Paquet's family settled on a donation land daim in the 1850s. Peter is the elder of the two Paquet brothers, so perhaps it is fining that he has the comfortable office in a renovated building in downtown Portland while Paul hunkers in the brush of Manitoba. But as a senior planner for the Northwest Power Planning Council, Peter looks for any excuse to get out on the rivers whose fish he helps protect. Most of the time, however, Peter Paquet ('75 MS, '79 Ph.D.) is in his office, making sure the 200 fish and wildlife-related measures of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980 are being implemented. That federal act created the 8-member Council (representing Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana) and empowered it to develop a 20-year electric power plan for the Columbia River basin and a program to "protect, mitigate and enhance" the region's fish and wildlife. One of the unique aspects of the Act is that it "treats conservation as a resource," says Paquet. "There's tremendous waste out there," waste that can be trimmed with model building codes and industrial sector conservation. "Saving megawaHs will prevent having to build neYI plants," explains Paquet. And, of course, that would be ideal for the ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 8 f ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I ~ ~ ; e : : ~ ~ b ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ a ~ n e d . As long as humans want lights and power, the wildlife will need the power planning act; its measures are intended to "correct existing problems at the mainstem Columbia River dams and ensure that future projects meet certain standards for {ish and wildlife," says Paquet, whose focus is Ihe anadromous fish of ihe Columbia River system. It is part of Paquet's job to work with agencies on eliminating barriers to the successful river to ocean migration of the once-plentiful salmon. Paquet is currently pouring a lot of his energy into the "water budget," a plan 10 alter the flow of the Columbia to 8 more closely resemble the natural seasonal fluctuations, Spring freshets, which help young salmon along their journey to the sea, have been stored to use during times of high energy demand, critically slowing the salmon's downriver passage. Paquet is working with Indian tribes and water users to release artificial freshets at appropriate times. "It's a trade-off," admits Paquet. "We sacrifice 500 megawatts and give it to the fish." There is a certain justice, in Paquet's eyes, in "the ratepayer subsidizing the fish instead of the fish subsidizing the ratepayer." Other possible solutions to the passage problem are the barging of steelhead and the installation of screens or bypass systems at the dams, where turbines destroy untold numbers of fish. Paquet's " It's a trade-off. We sacrifice 500 megawatts and give it to the fish." program also addresses Ihe issue of propagation, favoring natural rather than hatchery rearing for greater survival success. At the other end of the life cycle, the fish and wildlife program seeks the enforcement of reasonable harvest regulations. Although the Northwest Power Planning Council has no jurisdiction over the harvest, "it won't approve the funding of propagation facilities if adequate controls over ocean and river fishing are not exercised," said Paquet. Paquet helped design the fish and wildlife program for the Council while "on loan" from the Siting and Regulation Division of the Department of Energy in Salem, where he had reviewed the environmental impact of proposed energy projects statewide. He officially joined Ihe NPPC in August of last year. Fifth generation Oregonians Peter and Paul Paquet carryon a long family tradition of working close to the land. But unlike their fishing and trapping forebears, who were among the early waves of white people to come and exploit the vast resources of the northwest, the Paquet brothers have committed themselves to conserving the natural environment. Peter has focused on the fish of the Columbia River system and Paul is studying the wolf population in Manitoba, Canada. Their devotion to the environment brought them together at Portland State for a time and then put 7,500 miles between them, but they remain Biological Brothers Stories by Cynthia D. Stowell , I The fish advocate was once nearly as involved with Oregon's timber as he now is with its fish. In his doctoral research on dwarf mistletoe, Paquet identified a hormonal change that takes place in host trees when the parasite mistletoe is present. He laughs when he reads Ihe ponderous title of his dissertatioo-"Seasonal Variation in Cytokinin Adivity and Content in Two Species of Dwarf Mistletoe and Their Hosts"-but the seemingly arcane topic is quite relevant to the Northwest. where timber loss and resulting financial losses from mistletoe infestation are high, said Paquet. The graduate of PSU's Environmental Sciences and Resources Ph.D. Program felt that the plight of the anadromous fish was even more critical. "Fish seemed to be the big problem in this area, with 80 percent of the energy hydroelectriC," said Paquet. So, his mistletoe research completed, Paquet went with the flow. It was not the big leap one might expect. "The PSU program is multi-disciplinary, so we were prepared in the areas of energy and environment," explained the biologist. "We learned to communicate with other disciplines; physicists, for example, can be real people, too," he laughed. Although PSU's Environmental Sciences program is not at all politically oriented, Paquet found himself well-equipped temperamentally for the sensitive politics of the Columbia River. With the Council, he must reconcile the divergent interests of state and federal agencies, Indian tribes, utilities, and individual fishermen. "I enjoy that aspect of it," he admitted. As a longtime board member for Ihe Portland chapter of the National Audubon Society, Paquet is accustomed to dealing with humans and beasts alike. And one of his most memorable environmental experiences was hiking the entire 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail with four Continued on p. 12 Out in the aspen parkland of Manitoba, on the southern edge of Ihe boreal forest, a couple of wolves snarl at a coyote that gets 100 close to their elk carcass. The coyote turns tail and runs, and the wolves return to the fresh meat. They are aware of another presence-a human, watching. But there is no threat from this quarter. The man is a friend, and they sense it. They fill their bellies, and leave. Paul Paquet, ('82 MS) doesn't want the wolves' kill, nor does he want their hides. He just wants to know more about the misunderstood animals so humans will save some space on the planet for them. Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, Canada is one place that wolves are welcome. And that's why Paquet is there, far from his Oregon home, and why he will probably be there for another few wolf generations. "It's this type of research that we hope will lead to the preservation of the wolves worldwide, II he said by telephone recently. "This park provides valuable information for other countries that want to set up preserves." for the last two years, Paquet has been working on Canada's only longterm research project on wolves, started in 1974 by the Canadian Wildlife Service and continuing now with the help of the University of Alberta and numerous private foundations, including the National Geographic Society. "Canada probably has the largest population of wolves in the world, but they still exist pretty much worldwide," said Paquet, who is co-editor of a book entilled Wolves of the World, a scholarly compilation of current research. "Most people don't realize it, but the wolf was almost cosmopolitan in its distribution at one time. But in a lot of these areas they're simply remnant populations and they're Quickly diminishing." Paquet feels the world would be a less desirable place without wolves. "There are a number of reasons (why wolves should be preserved), Paul Paquet ('82 MS) welcomed a new Alukan wolf pup to the Washington Park Zoo in 1977 while he was studyins the soci411 behavior of wolves in captivity. beginning with philosophical, ethical and moral viewpoints. And there's also the ecological aspect-they're an integral and valuable part of the environment and they contribute to its health." He paused, and then spoke from his heart. "There's also a number of people, including myself, who just like to know they're there." It's easy for Paquet and other humans to like wolves. "They're very intelligent animals," he explained. "In many ways they reflect our own behavior because they are social animals. They live in family groups, or a pack, and they all contribute to the social welfare of their family unit. They display a high degree of social cooperation." "I've always had an intense interest in dogs." Paquet's own interest in wolves is one of those lifelong affinities that is hard to document. "I've always had an intense interest in dogs," he offered. As an adult, Paquet has studied both the wolf, the progenitor of the domestic dog, and the coyote, a cousin. And now he's looking into how all three are related. "We're trying to find out if there is any hybridization that's taking place between wolves and domestic dogs. Because if in fad you are going to preserve the species, you don't want it to be polluted by domestic genes." With the help of PSU biology professor Deborah Duffield. who is running blood and tissue analyses for Paquet, the researchers are "hoping to be able to find a genetic marker distinguishing wolves from domestic dogs and coyotes," he said. The confirmed dog lover is most excited about his observations of wolf and coyote interaction at Riding Mountain, where the lerritories of the natural enemies overlap. "Coyotes usually bounce off wolf territory like a balloon, but here they occupy exactly the same area," said Paquet. "The wolves don't have any love at all for the coyotes and they do kill them. But t have observed the coyote following fairly closely behind the wolves and the wolves don't seem to respond." AI Riding Mountain, the wolves and coyotes have an interloper in common: the human. "One of the interpretive programs in the national parks is to bring people out and have them howl," reported Paquet. "The wolves and coyotes respond and it's a direct method of involving the public." So Paquel is observing their howling behavior to help determine whether there might be harm in this rather desultory style of inlerspecies communication. Paquet's research also includes observation of predation patterns, consumption rates and territorial configurations, and how they relate to pack size and environmental changes. He also does some den site observation to record social and familial behaviors. This can get a little touchy. The wolves surrounded their tent, barking and howling for hours. One day last summer, Paquet and his wife Jenny startled a pack of wolves at their den site when the couple "snuck in without their knowing." The wolves surrounded their tent, barking and howling for hours. "ThaI was a new experience. I've never seen them behave in that manner," he said, sounding a little hurt. '" think we had set up camp in one of their normal runs and they were just surprised." The next day, Paul (by then alonel located the wolves' new den site and, throwing his sleeping bag down within 20 feet of the den, he received not even a growl. "I would wake up occasionally and they'd be staring at me," said Paquet, "but from that time on they paid very little attention to me." Jenny and Paul are sometimes out for days at a time watching wolves, although this year the den sites are close enough to reach on day trips from their rental home, situated on about 500 acres just outside the park. Jenny, a native southern Californian, is apparently a good sport about their frontier life, and has found her own niche in the sparse but art-oriented society of Wasagaming, Manitoba. When she's not stalking wolves with Paul, she plays harmonica in a rock band and coaxes vegetables out of ground that is frost-free for less than 60 days a year. If anything brings the Paquets back to "civilization," it might be Paul's interest in the social behavior of wolves, which is much easier to study in captive populations. For six years, Paquet observed a pack of Alaskan wolves at Washington Park Zoo in Portland, gathering data about mating, pup rearing, and other social behaviors, which he wrotp about in his master's thesis for PSU. '" still miss those particular wolves," he said. "I gal really close to them. I know if I went back to visit them, they'd get right up when 1whistled." While in Oregon, Paquet spearheaded support for the controversial statewide ballot measure banning the use of leghold traps. The measure lost, the vote was challenged in court, and even now the case is in an appeal process. Meanwhile, Ihe descendant of French fur trappers reluctantly uses traps for tagging subjects and never traps or hunts for sport. It's inevitable that a friend of wolves would find himself bucking popular opinion. The wolf seems Continued on p. 12 9
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