PSU Magazine Spring 1996

U -status work honored A reception honoring former state en. Don Willner, whose decade-long effort in the Oregon Legislature led to the elevation of Portland State College to university status, was held at PSU in February. Hosting the recep– tion were former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Betty Roberts '58, former state Sen. Tom Hartung, and PSU President Judith Ramaley. Beginning in the '60s, Willner worked in the Legislature to establi h publicly funded graduate level educa– tion and research programs in the metropolitan area. As a member of the Oregon Senate and through commu– nity study committees, he repeatedly focused the state' attention on the need for graduate education and a comprehensive university in Portland. His efforts culminated with sponsor– ship of Senate Bill 65, which officially designated Portland State as a University in 1969, and led to the eventual establishment of graduate and profe sional program re ponsive to the region's needs. "I was tremendously appreciative of his efforts," says Roberts, who served in the Oregon Senate at the time of Willner's efforts. "I had a personal Former state Sen. Don Willner was honored this winter by President Judith Ramaley and others for his past efforts in gaining university status for Portland State. 16 PSU MAGAZINE SPRING 1996 interest because going to school at Portland State College got my whole career going." As a member of the econd graduat– ing class of Portland State College, Roberts understood the goals Willner was working for. She herself had endured the hardship of earning a ma ter's degree in political science in Eugene- ince no program was avail– able in Portland-while living in Portland as a mother of four children and working full time. Willner succeeded even in the face of trong opposition from Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, and the chancellor's office, says Roberts. "They just weren't will– ing to accept the idea of nontradi– tional students and the nontraditional role for a univer ity that was so much needed after the war," she says. The reception for Willner wa sponsored by the PSU Foundation and the Friends of the Library. Burke endowment grows A fund-rai ing drive to create an endowment fund in honor of Barney Burke, professor emeritus of history, is well on its the way toward achieving its goal of $26,000. Established on the occasion of Burke's retirement two years ago, the fund will be used to grant annual scholarships to PSU history majors. Burke began teaching at Portland State in 1967 and served as head of the History Department for many years. The respon e from alumni has been phenomenal, according to Erica Goodwin MA '83, co-chair of the fundraising committee. "The reason is because there are so many people who just adore Professor Burke," says Goodwin, who herself took classes from the legendary teacher as part of her coursework in history. "He was always amusing and he was fun," she says. "He was so direct and honest, it was wonderful." David Johnson, chair of the History Department, agrees. "He is one f the greatest teachers I've seen in my life," he says. "He was inspiring both as a teacher of undergraduates and as a mentor to graduate students. He was an outstanding scholar who inspired generations of students here." Contributions to the Bernard V. Burke Endowed Scholarship Fund can be made in care of the PSU Foundation. English Department has many supportive friends In its first year and a half, membership in the new PSU Friends of English has blossomed from some 15 initial members to more than 200, according to Nathan Cogan, professor of Engli h and founder of the group. The Friends of English has two purposes: to raise scholarship funds for the English Department' annual Student Award Day and to sp nsor literary events, including film , forums, speakers, and evening concert and literary readings. This year the group granted $200 in scholarships. Its goal is to create an endowment fund of $10,000 in order to make available $1,000 in annual awards, says Cogan. Events during the current academic year included a forum on Shakespeare with several theater directors, a creening and discussion of the film "Vanya on 42nd Street," and an evening f renaissance music and lyric , featuring three performers from the English department. In the future, the group hopes to bring a major writer or playwright to the Univer ity, according to Cogan. The literary events are meant to cultivate PSU's relationship with the community and are consistent with the University's mission to serve the people in the metro area, says Cogan. Annual member hip in Friends of English is $25 and is tax deductible and payable to PSU Foundation/ Friends of English. For more informa– tion call Cogan at 725-4736.