PSU Magazine Spring 1992

LETTERS Focus on traditional work The Winter 1992 PSU Magazine fea – tured a recent graduate of the Graduate School of Social Work, Thayer Willis ("The Price of Wealth") . Ms. Willis' work is certainly illustrative of the wide range of employment opportunities open to one holding an MSW. How– ever, this form of service delivery is not representative of traditional social work practice, nor is it representative of the employment that the majority of MSWs engage in after graduation. Social Work is committed to train– ing students to work with disenfran– chised and vulnerable populations. Generally, these populations access ser– vices through a soc ial service agency. The profess ion promotes efforts in em– powering vulnerable populations, changing environmental systems and intervening in the conditions that con– tribute to social problems. I would appreciate an article in PSU Magazine that focuses on one of our graduates engaged in the type of social work that embraces the above-stated values. Charlene Rhyne, '83 MSW PSU Ass istant Professor of Social Work Math help remembered I was greatly touched read ing the article "Mastering Math" (Winter 199 1) which aptly describes Mildred Bennett's interest in assisting the minority student population during my years at PSU, 1971 -1973. I was an average high school stu– dent, who was a "non-math major" and had certain "math deficiencies." With Professor Bennett's assistance, I was able to complete a remedial course in algebra and nine hours of statistics. Operation Plus provided me with an opportunity to attend Portland State, and, as a result, I completed a political science degree within three years. I attended the University of O regon School of Law and rece ived my JD degree in 1976. 2 PSU I sincerely believe that not only am I indebted to Professor Bennett for her ass istance, but the minority community in the city of Portland should be deeply indebted for her caring and service. Melvin T. Toran, Sr. '73 Erie, Pennsylvania Reading the article about Mildred Ben– nett reinforced my feelings that PSU is a special place with special people, reaching out into the community to serve. I want to thank Professor Ben– nett for the help and knowledge she gave to one student many years ago. Jerry A. Parson '62 Portland PSU Magazine wants to hear from you; however, we reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. Send your comments to PSU Magazine, Portland State Univer– sity , P.O . Box 751 , Portland , OR 97207. Business as usual in Russia Despite upheava l in the former Soviet Union, Earl Molander, professor in the School of Business Administration, taught a new MBA certificate program in the Russ ian Federation during winter term. The Soviet and East European Busi– ness Administration (SEEBA) program in the School of Business Administra– tion, which Molander heads as execu– tive director, has opened two new business schools---one in Novgorod, the ancient Russ ian capital between St. Petersburg and Moscow, and the other in Blagoveshensk in the Russian Far East. The schools will be affiliates of SEEBA's Soviet American School of Business Administration (SASBA) , which is in its second year of operation in Khabarovsk, Portland's sister city in the Russ ian Far East. According to Molander, one measure of the displacement of the old communist orthodoxy with the new orthodoxy of capitalism and business is that all three schools have been given a wing of the former local party head– quarters for their offices and class– rooms. "Many of the rooms are still decorated with pictures of Marx and Lenin," said Molander. "It's quite ironic to be teaching subj ects antitheti– cal to communist theory with those two staring over your shoulder." In September 1992, the Soviet American Schools will begin offering Master of Business and Public Ad– ministration programs, combining in– struction in business and public administration and regional economic planning. Also in September, SEEBA expects to open three additional schools. The program has received re– quests fo r schools from more than 30 locations in the former Soviet Union. Recycle this magazine When you are through reading PSU Magazine, please don't throw it away. Recycle it! In Portland (and Seattle) it is now possible to leave glossy magazines on the curbside for recycling into newsprint. Readers living outside Portland but in C lackamas, Multnomah or Washington counties can call Metro Recycling Information Center, 224- 5555 , to locate a recycling center that will accept glossy publications. If you live in another area of Oregon or in another state, call your garbage hauler or chamber of commerce for recycling information . Through the years, we have ex– plored using other paper for PSU Magazine, but have found the cost of recycled paper to be too high. This may change as consumer demand for recycled paper increases. We'll keep looking into it. Of course, if PSU Magazine goes straight into the recycling bin without being read, let us know and we will take your name off our mailing list. If not, we'll continue sending the magazine to you, free of charge. And please, help us with our good inten– tions by completing the survey on the back cover of this issue. There might be a free vacation in it fo r you! - Kathryn Kirkland, edi tor