PSU Magazine Spring 1999

McCoy scholar studying the legacy of slavery During eight weeks this summer, Joy Leary '86, MSW '88 will be teaching classes in a most unusual setting– aboard a ship traveling along the coast of West Africa. Sponsored by the United Nations, the ship will stop at infamous slave ports to erect monu– ments commemorating the legions of black Africans-as many as 30 mi ll ion by some estimates-who perished in their passage to the New World . Leary recently won the first McCoy Graduate Scholarship, a $3,000 fellow– ship offered in the Graduate School of Social Work. The award honors the late Gladys McCoy, former chair of the Multnomah Country Commiss ion, and her late husband, Bill McCoy, former state senator. According to Leary, now completing her doctoral thesis in social work on "post-traumatic slave syndrome," the centuries of slavery have spawned a lasting legacy. The stress and trauma have passed from one generation to the next, compounded by continuing injustice, she says. Historical as well as current forms of prejudice have produced deep-seated social and emotional injury to African Americans, Leary says. Focusing her research on ways black males are "targeted and despised," she examines subtle, as well as obvious, forms of oppress ion. Both d iscrimination in jobs, housing, and bank loans, as well as outright acts of hatred-"getting dragged behind a car by racist thugs"-create profound alienation . "And when people fee l disadvan– taged and left out, they act out," she explains. To liberate themselves, African Americans must not only fight for justice and equal opportunity, they must work to change the "extremely materialistic" values of modem society, strengthening fami ly and community ties, she says. Leary, 41, has given lectures at a number of prestigious universities, 26 PSU MAGAZINE SPRJNG I999 Joy Leary, first winner of the McCoy Graduate Scholarship in the Graduate School of Social Work, is writing her doctorial thesis on "post-traumatic slave syndrome." including Harvard, Columbia, and New York University. In 1994, she visited several countries in southern Africa with eight other African American women to discuss common issues with women from that region. A gift close to home For Harry Carsh '65, his recent gift of $ 125,000 toward the new Community Recreation Field has triggered fond memories of his student days. While working full time and taking classes toward his degree, he often stopped by his mother's apartment, in a building at SW 12th and H all that used to overlook the site. Now retired and living in Scotts– dale, Arizona, Carsh credits the University with giv ing him the tools he needed to begin h is career in busi– ness, which cu lminated in his position as head of international marketing for Nike Inc. PSU offers a vital service to people in the Portland area, he says. "Nobody here can say they never had a chance, because anyone can work and get loans and go to Portland State." Carsh has supported the University for many years, as well as persuaded fri ends and colleagues to make contri – butions. He likes to give to athlet ics, partly because "it's harder to fund," but also because he believes playing sports "teaches you things about life, about winning and losing, that are just as important as academics." He considers the new recreat ion field , in front of the Peter Stott Center, a superb asset both for the Univers ity and the community. "They did a great job with it," he says. "Even with all the rain O regon gets, you can go out there and play anytime and not be up to your ankles in mud." The field, which was originally grass, was resurfaced with artificial turf. The turf's infill, which supports the art ifi – cial grass blades, is made of sand and Nike G rind. Nike collects consumers' old ath letics shoes (any kind- not just Nike's ) and grinds them into little pieces to produce Nike G rind . New to the board The PSU Foundation Board of Directors appointed a new president and added eight new members this year. Tony Leinewebe r '68, vice presi– dent of administration with Crown Pacific, became president in January. New members of the board are Dave Carboneau '79, vice president of prod– ucts and services at PGE/Enron; Sho Dozono '69, president and CEO of Azumano Carlson Wagonlit Travel; and Mike G lanville '65, president of National Mortgage Co. Also new to the board this year are Carl Hollstein, vice president of manu– facturing at Protocol Systems Inc.; Robert Jesenik, president and CEO of JMW Capital Partners Inc.; Jane Morrow '65, MS '77, retired elementary and middle school teacher; Robert Morrow '63, tru tee of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court; and Caroline Stoel MA '73 , PSU adjunct history facu lty. D