PSU Magazine Fall 1996

PSU Weekend features Northwest author Author David Guterson will discuss his best-selling novel, Snow Falling on Cedars, at the keynote event during PSU Weekend, Oct. 25-27. Guterson is the luncheon speaker for Seminar Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, at noon in Smith Center Ballroom. Snow Falling on Cedars has received critical and popular acclaim, including the 1995 PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction, the 1994 Barnes & Noble Discover Great Writers Award, and the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Book Award. It has also been touted by Ellen Goodman in her article, "Start Summer with 'Snow Fallin."' Both the book and author were featured in People Magazine. The story takes place 10 years after World War II on an island in north– west Washington. The author explores the tense relationships of the islanders during the trial of a Japanese– American man accused of killing a Caucasian. Guterson, a popular speaker at universities around the country, will describe the historical aspect of his writing and talk about the creative inspiration of the Northwest. The luncheon is $17.50; lecture only is $5. Reservations are required and may be obtained by calling the Alumni Office at 725-4948. PSU Weekend supporters are invited to meet Guterson at a special patron reception on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Harrison Hall. The gather– ing will also feature PSU President Judith Ramaley and Seminar Day guest lecturers. Patron tickets are $50 and include the Friday evening reception, admission and preferred seating at the Saturday lecture and luncheon, an iden– tifying patron ribbon, and recognition in the Seminar Day program. To become a patron for PSU Weekend '96, call the Alumni Office, 725-4948. Pick a topic, any topic And it's probably represented at Seminar Day '96 during PSU Weekend. NEWS PSU faculty and a number of well– known community members will offer their expertise as weekenders explore everything from how to protect your home from landslides, to the causes of insomnia, to Oregon's "real" history. Lecturers on Saturday, Oct. 26, include National Public Radio's "Doyenne of Dirt," Ketzel Levine; local antiques dealer and appraiser Fred Squire; geology professor and landslide expert Scott Bums; OPB's award-winning producer Steve Amen '86; and PSU's Dean of Urban and Public Affairs Nohad Toulan. Each lecture is 50 minutes long in a class– room format beginning every hour from 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. The lectures are free and open to the public. The Alumni Association requests advance reservations be made by mailing the return envelope from the PSU Weekend brochure. For a complete list of Seminar Day lectures or to request a brochure, call the Alumni Office at 725-4948. Dear fellow alumni: Have you seen our ads? In June, the Alumni Association sponsored a series of ads that ran in The Business Journal, The Oregonian, and The There is so much more to the PSU story-and you can help tell it by joining the PSU Advocates. The Advocates are a voice for PSU and higher education with a focused mission of raising public awareness about the importance Skanner. If you haven't seen one, look on page 7 of this magazine. We are proud of Portland State University alumni! That's why our ads featured recognized alumni leaders in business and community service. These individuals represent just a small sampling of Portland State graduates who daily influence the future of Oregon through business, engineering, fine arts, government, social service, and so much more. We're proud of our alumni, but we're also proud of our University. Its president, faculty, students, and programs continue to be recognized nationally for innovative developments and achievements, as you've read elsewhere in this issue. 18 PSU MAGAZINE FALL 1996 of higher education and PSU's unique contributions to the state of Oregon. During the Oregon State System of Higher Education's current planning process, the Advocates are helping people realize that PSU is already doing a number of outstanding and innovative things. The Advocates orga– nization keeps people informed and involved in issues that affect PSU, and is sponsored and paid for by private funds from the Alumni Association. Finally, the role of the Alumni Association is to make friends for the University. If you have been out of touch, I invite you to contact the Alumni Office to discuss ways to get involved. If you would like to talk to me about your connections to PSU, please feel free to contact me at my e-mail address: spurpura@gnn.com. I look forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones as I serve you in the coming year as president of the Alumni Association. Sue Brickey Purpura '77, President PSU Alumni Association