PSU Magazine Spring 1995

Millar donors honored The fir t Millar Society luncheon was held this winter on campus in the Littman Gallery to recognize donors who have given the Univer ity annual gifts of $500 or more. The ociety is named for the second president of Portland State, Branford Price Millar, who served from 1959 to 1968, a time marked by rapid academic and physical growth. President Judith Ramaley spoke to the society members about Millar's nine-year tenure as president-a period when enrollment nearly tripled, undergraduate degree offerings increased from three to 25, and 19 new graduate and certificate degrees were added. Like that pres idency of 30 years ago, PSU is st ill just a challenging and exc iting, said Ramaley. The Univer ity has developed a major redevelopment plan for the 52 city blocks urrounding PSU; introduced a new undergraduate curricu lum this year that emphas ize critical thinking, research, and writing; and is forming innovative partnerships with government agenc ies, bu ine s, community groups, and other institutions of higher education. The play's the thing Future PSU English students are benefitting from one evening of comic, political intrigue. A benefit performance of the play Bodyhold was held April 20 at the Benson Hotel. A portion of the proceeds went to the PSU Foundation to endow an English Department student scholarship. The playwright, Gary Cole, is no stranger to helping out the University; he sits on the executive committee for the P U Foundation Board of Directors. He i also in a partner in the P rtland-based law firm of Ball, Janik & Novack, and acted in an number of univer ity and semi -professiona l productions while a student at Stanford Law choo l and a an attorney with the Central Intelligence Agency. Cole started work on the script while at the IA. Bodyhold is the tory of Rupert Pudgethorpe, a British executive who heads the operations of a huge multi- national corporati n in a Third World country that is embroiled in violent rebellion. By helping to prop up the corrupt local government, Pudgethorpe becomes a target fo r a group of insurgents conspi ring to kidnap h is neglected wife and bored daughter. The plot unfolds in a whirl of wit, seduction, and political machination. It is not too late to see Bodyhold.. Performances are scheduled each Thursday, Friday, and aturday through May 27 at 8 p.m. in the Benson' Parliament Rooms (no perfonnance May 4 and 5). A Sunday matinee i scheduled for May 7 at 2 p.m. Ticket are $15, with group discounts available. For ticket information, call 299-4666. James Draznin joined the University this winter as a Development Officer for Planned and Major Gifts. Ralph W . Macy, professor emeritus of biology, has included the PSU Foundation in his estate plans. He explains his reasons: "Because my academic life was always equally devoted to teaching and research , joining the PSU faculty in 1955 was an ideal opportunity. Although the resources for biological instruction and research were rudimentary , we persevered and accomplished a great deal. Many of my students went on to do distinguished work in the field, and I completed research resulting in some I 00 publications in scientific journals. "At PSU I enjoyed close contact Profes or Emeritu Ralph Macy and with students in lecture classes but · wif P I :m · I. especially in laboratories. Through one-to-one relationships it became evident that many of my students were succeeding in spite of numerous obstacles, including their lack of adequate financial resources . "Today it is apparent that the cost of higher education has escalated to the point that many students find it difficult if not impossible to afford. At a time when university training is more and more necessary for the better jobs and the requirement of a demanding society, it is imperative that financial support is made available. This has led me to establish an endowed scholarship for PSU students through my estate. "From modest conditions Portland State has become agreat urban university. To maintain this trajectory, PSU will rely on all of us who hold it dear. PS U is a genuine source of pride to me, and I am delighted to help it as I am able." -Ralph W. Macy SPRING 1995 19