PSU Magazine Spring 1993

PSU Salutes luncheon slated for April 30 PSU Salutes, the annual recognition luncheon for Portland State friends and supporters, is scheduled for 11 :30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, April 30, at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Former U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin will be the keynote speaker and KATU's Paul Linnman will be the emcee. Portland State University alumni Gary Ames and David Kim will receive Outstand– ing Alumni awards, and Tom Autzen, Cap Hedges and Ron Timpe will receive Outstanding Friends of Portland State awards. The luncheon is open to the public, but advance reserva– tions are required. For information and reservations, call the PSU Alumni Office at 725-4948. Alums gather in Washington, D.C. More than 40 alumni and friends of Portland State gathered in .Washington, D.C., on March 11 with PSU President Judith Ramaley and Provost Michael Reardon. The event, sponsored by the PSU Alumni Association's Outreach Committee, was attended by members of the Oregon congressional delegation, PSU student interns, and alumni from the D.C. area. The reception was held at the Ella Smith House on Capitol Hill. Chuck Clemans '56, who represented the Alumni Board at the reception, met with alumni to discuss further con– nections with the University and the Alumni Association. "We're trying to establish a stronger bond between our D.C.-area alums and PSU. A number of our graduates in the area have helped us out with our student interns, with representing President Ramaley at inaugurations and with other activities. We'd like to strengthen that connection," says Clemans. 22 PSU Outreach Committee sponsors receptions The first-ever corporate alumni recep– tion was held February 23 for alumni at First Interstate Bank. According to Stan Sanders, chair of the Outreach Committee of the PSU Alumni Board, corporate receptions are designed to acquaint alumni with other PSU graduates in their organizations and to foster continuing relations with the University. Sanders, who is a vice presi– dent with First Interstate, says the ini– tial effort was successful. "We had a strong turnout for this event," says Sanders. "It was interesting to see how many of our graduates didn't know they and their colleagues shared another bond." The First Interstate alumni heard from PSU President Judith Ramaley, First Interstate Senior Vice President and member of the State Board of Higher Education Janice Wilson, and First Interstate CEO James Curran. While all alumni at First Interstate were welcome at the reception, only alumni identified on the Alumni Office database were able to receive invita– tions. "We encourage all alums to keep the Alumni Office updated with their employment information so they can participate in these kinds of activities," says Pat Squire, director of Alumni Relations. Additional corporate recep– tions are planned for the spring. PSU Advocates gear up The PSU Advocates, an informal group of PSU supporters, have begun a campaign aimed at educating the public and the legislature about the value of higher education to the state. Linda Marshall '83, chair of the Advo– cates Committee of the PSU Alumni Board, says the group is becoming increasingly active. "We conducted a very effective training and strategy session on January 23," says Marshall, "and followed up with higher education lobby day in the state capitol on March 30. Our theme for lobby day was higher education is a good investment." Marshall hosted an informal coffee hour with representative Ted Calouri and encourages other advocates to hold similar gatherings with their legislators. "We need to hear their concerns, and at the same time, express ours," she says. The Advocates sponsor a newsletter designed to keep supporters up to date about the University, the legislative assembly and activities of the Advo– cates. All advocacy activities are paid for by private funds from the Alumni Association. For information on the program, call Scott Kaden, assistant director of Alumni Relations, at 725-5073. Sheridan receives award Wilma F. Sheridan, dean emerita of the School of Fine and Performing Arts and professor emerita of music, received the Alumni Association's Distinguished Faculty Service Award at PSU's Founders Day celebration on February 12. The award, which recog– nizes "a faculty member who has made extraordinary contributions, not only to the University, but to the Portland community," was given for the first time. Jory Abrams '79, president of the PSU Alumni Board of Directors, made the presentation. She was joined by alumnus David York, MST '85, who provided a personal recollection of his student days with Sheridan, and Don Dickinson '72, chair of the Com– munications Committee of the Alumni Board, who presented Sheridan with a $500 check. Sheridan is recognized as an excep– tional music education teacher who followed the progress of her students as they entered the teaching profession. She has contributed to the field of music and disabled children and has served on the board of directors for National Music Education for the Handicapped. She has also worked with arts organizations in the Portland area to solidify ties between Portland State and the arts community. Sheridan said she and her husband discussed the $500 award and decided to donate the award to the Music Department for student scholarships.