PSU Magazine Spring 2001

$8 PH I L A N T H R 0 p y I N ACTION Phoning for funds brings unexpected rewards Vidhya Sathyaraj, a post-baccalaureate student in accounting, says she came to Portland State to help advance her career goals. "There's a great program in account– ing specifically designed for people who've got degrees in other dis– ciplines," says Sathyaraj, who has a degree in psychology. "Plus at PSU you really get a lot of support in getting your career started-the Career Cen– ter, faculty, internships, hands-on Student Vidhya Sathyaraj may be calling you for a contribution to the PSU Foundation. This year's campaign has raised $596,224 toward its $800,000 goal. (photo by Brent Schauer) Fellowship memorializes local writer When Tom Bates, a highly regarded local writer, died of pancreatic cancer in December 1999, his colleagues, readers, and friends came together to create a permanent tribute to his impact on literary arts and culture in our region. The Tom Bates Fellowship in PSU's Center for Excellence in Writing will support promising students in the program. The center, says writer and board member Julie Dixon, i a graduate program with empha is on practical writ– ing knowledge to prepare students to go out and do what they love to do for a living. Bates, an award-winning journalist and author, edited at various times Oregon Magazine, The Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine and New West Mag– azine, in addition to writing features for The Oregonian. An active mentor and advocate for local writers, he played a crucial role in the creation of the Center for Excellence in Writing. Since its opening in 2000, the center's writing degree programs and frequent workshops and outreach programs have generated wide interest in the community. The fund-raising effort for the fellowship has been lead by Dixon, a co– founder of the center and friend of Bates. Major support from Win McCor– mack and Arlene Schnitzer, as well as Dixon, emerged rapidly, bringing the endowment within sight of its $150,000 goal in less than a year. For more information about the Bates Fellowship, contact Kristine Baggett at 503-725-8052; for information on the Center for Excellence in Writing, contact Tracy Dillon at 503-725-3579. 18 PSU MAGAZINE SPRING 2001 curriculum--everyone works really closely with you." Sathyaraj also found career help from an unusual source-her campus job calling alumni and friends of PSU to contribute to the PSU Foundation. Sathyaraj and her fellow callers find that the alumni they talk with on the phone frequently ask them about their studies and future plans. "They'll give us suggestions, help us with networking, even offer to make introductions for u ," she says. "I was nervous when I first started, but now I really enjoy the job. My communica– tion skills, ability to be clear, persua– sive, confident, and poised have all improved a lot, and the other callers I work with say the same thing. These are skills we need in the classroom, at work, and throughout our future careers-it's good preparation." The atmosphere is lively in tele– fund headquarters, where tudent callers phone alumni and friends every weeknight evening and weekend. "Our supervisors are gr~at," Sathyaraj notes. "They work very hard to moti– vate us and, on a slow night when all we're getting are answering machines, they keep us entertained. Sometimes there are treats, and we share stories with each other between calls." Te lefund callers are expected to establish a positive connection between the people they talk with and the Uni– versity, says Sathyaraj. "Everyone's got a different financial situation and some– times someone can't give right now. But we still want to leave them with a good feeling about PSU and leave a door open for future giving." Funds contributed through the Telefund make a crucial difference for PSU students, helping to provide scholar hips and sustain high quality academic programs. "If we didn't need the money, we wouldn't be asking," says Sathyaraj. "Your support i important to PSU stu– dents. Every gift makes a difference." D