PSU Magazine Winter 2006

SSOCIATION NEWS Alumni travelers visit the Mayan Peninsula Twelve intrepid alumni travelers saw the Mayan ruins in early November, not too long after Hurricane Wilma swept through. According to Shirley Griffith '67, "this particular trip was one of the most fun PSU trips that l have ever taken." The Mayan Splendors trip to the Yucatan Peninsula included educational presentations on the golden age of Mayan civi– lization, colonial Mexico, and Mexico today, and tours focused on Merida, Uxmal, Santiago Park, lzamal, St. Lucia Park, and the Celestun Estuary, among many other sights. Shirley Griffith '67 visited ancient ruins on a PSU alumni trip to Mexico. For information about 2006 educational tours, visit www.alumni.pdx.edu or call the Alumni Office at 503- 725-4948. Get together in Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, or Kuwait Alumni in Asia and the Middle East are getting together this winter at recep– tions hosted by the University and the PSU Alumni Association. Not only can alumni visit with one another, they can talk with PSU President Dan Bernstine and other PSU administra– tors and faculty. ln Asia, the University will hold alumni events in Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo. All alumni and friends of Port– land State are invited to attend. ♦ Bangkok: February 11, 6 to 9 p.m. , Oakwood City Residence, 291 Narathiwas Rajanagarindra 24 ♦ Seoul: February 15, 4 to 5 p.m. , Sangmyung University Portland State celebrates 60 years The University will celebrate its 60th anniversary during 2006, with festivi– ties peaking around the June 17 commencement. Portland State was founded in 1946 as an extension center for returning World War 11 veterans who attended college on the Gl Bill. With other uni– versities unable to accommodate the sudden influx of returning veterans, the Vanport Extension Center, located at a former housing complex for Kaiser shipyard workers, opened its doors to Gls on June 18, 1946. The fledgling school survived a flood, several moves, and downstate opposition to become a college, then a university, and now Oregon's largest university. The campus now has more than 25,000 students, occupies more than 49 city blocks, includes seven colleges and schools and numerous other acad– emic and life-long learning offerings, and has over 105,000 alumni. The 60th Anniversary Planning 26 PSU MAGAZINE WINTER 2006 Committee is preparing some new activities and is also designing ele– ments to be included in existing PSU events, with the intention of honoring the past while highlighting the present and future. "This is a significant milestone for Portland State," says Pat Squire, chair of the planning committee. "When you think of what we've been through, even in recent years, it's important to realize, as our founder Stephen Epler said, 'It's the students who built Port– land State.' We want to showcase that spirit and highlight our achievements to the campus and the community." Special features planned include: ♦ Lecture series on the history of Vanport, Portland State College, and PSU, which will include discussion of PSU today and into the future ♦ "PSU's Pride," profiles of PSU stu– dents and graduates on the PSU Web site home page and the Alumni Association Web site ♦ A special PSU walking map high– lighting places of interest on campus ♦ Reunions for Vanport and class of '56 alumni and other groups ♦ Celebration of the 50th Anniver– sary of the Graduate School of Education on April 19 ♦ A founder's commemorative plaque ♦ Recognition during other events, such as Night of Wine & Roses (February 25), Simon Benson Awards Dinner (March 1), dedi– cation of the new NW Center for Engineering, Science and Tech– nology (spring), the Urban Pio– neer Dinner (May 2), PSU Salutes (May 11), and Com– mencement Uune 17). Watch for events and dates at www.pdx.edu or call 503-725-4948 for more information. Join in events al PSU as we celebrate the big 6-0!