PSU Magazine Fall 2003

Au MN I ASSOCIATION NEWS Simon Benson House: How Do I Use Thee? Let Me Count the Ways On a cold and windy day in January 2000, the Simon Benson House rolled into its new location at SW Park and Montgomery on campus. Within a year, the 100-year-old Queen Anne style house was restored to its original splendor, and the home's primary occupants, the Alumni Relations staff, were ready for business. For the past two years the Benson House has been evolving in its new role as PSU's Alumni and Visitors Center. Lt has also become a source of pride for Portland State and the Port– land community. The Simon Benson House gives us a glimpse into our city's past and serves as tribute to its original owner, Simon Benson, a visionary phil– anthropist who made many gifts to the city and state. The house is available for a variety of uses. Here are just a few ways to enjoy the Simon Benson House: ❖ Office of Alumni Relations - open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 18 PSU MAGAZINE FALL 2002 ❖ Seeing is believing - Stop by the main floor Visitors Center and see the beautiful restoration work– grand staircase and all-for your– self. You'll also find campus maps and general information on PSU and the Benson House. Group tours are available by appointment. The Visitors Center is open weekdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Times are subject to change as we run on volunteer power. PHOTO BY STEVE DIPAOLA ❖ Speaking of volunteers - Are you looking for an exciting volunteer opponunity 7 Friendly people are needed to greet visitors and provide general information about the house and Portland State. Training is provided. ❖ Location, location, location - Think the Benson House would make an ideal location for your next com– pany retreat or social gathering 7 We do, and that is why the first f1oor is available to rent. ❖ Relaxation - Enjoy a good book, eat your lunch, or just sit and rest a while in the garden patio adjacent to the Benson House. While visiting the garden take note of the inscribed bricks and look for your own or read others. ❖ Art imitates life - This holiday sea– son let the Benson House glitter for you-as an ornament. The limited edition, hand numbered, 24-karat gold-plated ornaments are $28 and available by calling 503-725-4948 . For more infonnation on the Simon Benson House, including volunteer opportunities and rental infonnation, contact Mary Coniglio, assistant director of Alumni Relations, 503-725-5073 or by email at coniglio@pd.x.edu . Or look for the Benson House on the PSU Alumni Web site at www.alumni.pd.x.edu . Get to know our newest alumni, the Class of 2002 Did you know that 3,476 students graduated in 2002 , joining the ranks of our 82,000 alumni around the world? And it was an illustrious group, with 34 percent earning graduate degrees, including 35 doctorates. Within the class of 2002, 44 per– cent of the students received their degrees from the College of Liberal Ans and Sciences, followed by 21 per- cent from the School of Business Administration. Female graduates out– numbered males 59 percent to 41 per– cent, and women represented 63 percent of the master's degree recipi– ents. Ethnic minorities accounted for 14 percent of the total, and interna– tional students represented nearly 10 percent. Congratulations graduates and wel– come to the PSU Alumni Association! We look forward to keeping our newest alumni connected to Portland State University.