PSU Magazine Fall 2003

History journal improves on its winning ways This spring the Pacific Historical Review won its eighth national award since the journal came to Portland Stale almost six years ago . The Society for History in the Federal Government awarded its James Madison prize for a Novem– ber 2002 article on U.S. island terri– tories after 1898. Overseeing the publication and the selection of arti– cles are co-editors, professors David Johnson and Carl Abbott, and assis– tant editor Susan Wladaver-Morgan . The 72-year-old journal came to PSU in 1996 after decades in UCLA's history department. The history of American expansion to the Pacific and beyond is the focus of the quar– terly publication. In addition to earn– ing prestigious awards, the journal has given graduate students invaluable training and career assistance, says Wladaver-Morgan. The Caroline P Stoel Endowed Editorial Fellowship provides for graduate students to work on the journal, many of whom go on to doctoral programs. How risky is hantavirus? PSU biologist Luis Ruedas did a lot of harm to efforts of conservation and biodiversity with his hantavirus scare published in The Oregonian. Now, a potentially more damaging article appears in the PSU Magazine (spring 2003 , "Hantavirus-Infected Mice Found in Portland-Area Parks") How can we work to remove nonna– tive plants and promote biodiversity if the PSU biology staff continues to scare off volunteers? Ruedas should discuss the risk of people visiting or working in the parks. It is very frustrating for vol– unteers working so hard to improve James DePreist wows spring graduates ln the past 10 years, Portland States spring commencement roster has included such heavy hitters as President Bill Clinton and Secretary of Health Donna Shalala. But among the faculty and administrators who attend year after year, no one can remember a more attentive audi– ence than that of 2003. The rea– son- a powerful speech delivered by James DePreist, outgo– ing Oregon Sym– phony director. "It was incredible," says Pat Squire, Alumni director. "His heartfelt message struck a cord. The audience must have interrupted him with cheers and clapping 10 to 12 times. Clinton was a powerful speaker, but James DePreist's message was so on target." "Graduates, the world in which we live is a mess," DePreist began before approximate 2,000 June graduates at L E T T E R S our parks when a state employee is working against us. Dave Kruse '63 Gladstone Editor's Note: This letter made us ask, What is the 1isk of catching hantavirus in Portland's parks? We talked with Paul Cieslak, M.D., manager of the communica– ble disease division of the Oregon Depart– ment of Human Services. He says the risk is very low to negligible. For the extra cau– tious, a surgical mask could be worn, but he fee ls it is unnecessary while working outside where the airborne concentration of rodent wine or droppings is small. the Rose Garden Arena. "Myth masquerading as truth, our beloved United States in crisis, many of its fun– damental principles under assault. And yet, a goodly number of your fellow Americans seem oblivious ... sleep– walking through these alarming times, heedless and gullible beyond belief. Our country simply cannot afford this, and our hard-won freedoms cannot long bear the weight of an unenlight– ened citizenry." DePreist called upon the students for "quality ideas and inspired execu– tion." He went on to say, "Each genera– tion of Americans is asked to be vigilant against the erosion of our con– stitutional rights. The task of your gen– eration is more than mere vigilance. Of you will be demanded the reclamation of eroded guarantees. By so doing, you will define patriotism devoid of theatri– cality and profoundly authentic. lt will not be easy." The University received a flood of requests for copies of the speech the following week. The entire speech can be read on the Web site www.pdx.edu/ commencementladdress.php. D Freedom fries live on Putting a photo of the Eiffel Tower on the front of the alumni magazine (PSU Magazine, spring 2003) was not a \'ery good thing given how many feel about the French these days. In conservative business circles (the ones who tend to be the bigger donors) anything French is taboo. Too bad but that is the way it is and will most likely be for a while. Maybe for a very long while. Don Morgan MBA '71 Bellevue, Washington PSU Magazine wants to hear from you. Send your comments to PSU Magazine, Portland State University, PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207-0751; or to email address psumag@pdx.edu. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. 4 PSU MAGAZINE FALL 2003