PSU Magazine Winter 1993

Something for everyone From Shakespeare to Seminar Day, from National Public Radio's Susan Stamberg to Viking Alumni Night, this year's PSU Alumni Weekend was a hit with every audience. The November 13-14 event, sponsored by the PSU Alumni Association, tried to have something for everyone, and apparently succeeded. Wally Harding '58, chair of PSU Weekend '92, sa id the event accom– plished its purpose: "We're trying to demonstrate the strong relationship be– tween the University and its com– munities. While most of the audience at our various activities continues to be alumni, we had good participation from the community, as well." Harding and his volunteer commit– tee designed a program that included 27 lectures offered by PSU professors and well-known guest lecturers from the community. Topics ranged from those with wide appeal-"Are You Making Good Decisions?" by President Judith Ramaley- to those with a more specific focus-"El Nino and Oregon's Drought" by Geography Professor Dan Johnson. According to Alumni Director Pat Squire, participation in weekend events improved significantly over last year. "We had nearly 600 different people attending Seminar Day," she said, "and a number of the lectures had to be moved from rooms in Smith Cen– ter to lecture halls in Cramer Hall to accommodate the big advance registration." Stamberg, a former anchor ofNPR's "All Things Considered" and currently an anchor of"Weekend Edition," found a warm reception at her lunch– eon lecture in the Smith Center ballroom. Her talk "All Sorts of Things Considered" recapped experiences during her 20 years in public radio and provided an amusing look at the recent election. The Viking Alumni Night pre-game reception featured a jazz trio, plenty of hot food, and a visit from injured PSU quarterback John Charles, who 18 PSU PSU Weekend speaker Susan Stam· berg sat with President Judith Ramaley (top), before addressing a sold-out crowd (bottom photos) in Smith Memorial Center. mingled with the crowd and signed T -shirts. "We're delighted with the response to this non- trad itiona l homecoming," said Squire. "Tying the daytime events to a home footba ll game is especially attractive to footba ll fans, who know they'll be in town for the weekend." One alumna, when asked how she heard about the weekend, responded that she had been ant icipat ing it ever since last year's event. Strategy for advocates A strategy and training session fo r PSU Advocates and University sup– porters is scheduled for Satu rday, Jan. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon in 327 Smith Memorial Center. PSU Advocates are alumni and friends who volunteer to keep informed about PSU and higher education issues and act as advocates on behalf of the University. According to Linda Marshall '83, chair of the PSU Advocates Commit– tee, the session will include an update from PSU President Judith Ramaley, a budget status report, informat ion about curricu lum revisions from Provost Michael Reardon, and a training and