Blumel was steadying influence through difficult times Continued from P 4 ~ 1 President eventually had to face the even more severe budget crisis of 1981-82 and the painful necessity of laying off tenured faculty and terminating whole programs. But, again, he came through ii, and people remember that period as President Blumel's finest hour. There were, of course, happier hours. Instead of an inauguration. the new president declared a week of activities in observance of the "vital partnership" he envisioned between PSU and the City of Portland. It was to be a theme throughout his 12-year tenure as president. reflected in the many new programs with urban flavor Ihat cropped up at the University. As 8lumel's term drew to a close, a new partnership was developing - this time with other universities and cities around the Pacific Rim. PSU was standing on the threshold of international recognition, and Blumel stepped down to let PSU's fifth president take the University the rest of the way. President Blumel- in office longer than any other Portland State president - had done everything he felt he could do. It had been a long time since the day in 1957 when the fresh-faced Korean War veteran and Ph.D. candidate from the University of Oregon came looking for a job teaching economics at Portland State College. Twenty-nine-year-old Joe Blumel was hired as-an economics instructor, and went on to become assistant professor, associate professor and full profesSOf, as well as acting department head and graduate coordinator for the social sciences. By the late '60s, after much University committee work, Blumel was appointed Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Dean of the Faculties, becoming Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1970. It had been a long journey for Portland State, too. When Blumel "I've heard an awful lot about the inferiority complex at Portland State University. I have decided to try something out on you today to once and for all eliminate and erase that inferiority complex. As a magician, t say 'Shazam - it's gone,' O.K.ll'm a psychiatrist and for the first time in history I'm going to cure somebody: You're cured of the inferiority complex. You're cured! And lastly, I see 'inferiority complex' across the blackboard and campus at Portland State, and I'm a teacher and I've just erased the inferiority complex. It's gone, it's gone forever. Period. O.K., are you with me?" - PSU President Natale Sicuro at 1986-87 UniverSity Convocation, Sept. 24, 1986. _1/ PSU Perspective, Fall t986 became president in 1974, the University was a far different place from the struggling college of 1957, and President Blumel spent the next 12 years helping to define that difference. As Joseph Blumel prepared to leave his office on the third floor of Cramer Hall this summer, his colleagues 'provided a chorus of salutes and reminiscences focused on "the Blumel years" and "Blumel the man." Some of their remarks are preserved here. Matprel /. Dobson Executive Vic£" Pre5idf"nt One of the most significant achievements of Dr. Blumel's presidency has been the steady and continued academic development of Portland State University from 1974 to the present. .. The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges' Evaluation Committee in 1985 affirmed PSU's skillful ascent from adolescence to adulthood under Dr. Blumel's stewardship by stating that it has "emerged with viable academic programs and a university which looks to the future with a confidence and pride which..• is impressive." Orcili._ Vice President for Student Affairs President Blumel has been the right President for a University in an urban setting. He values quality education while encouraging diversity in the programs we offer and in the students, faculty and staff that PSU attracts. Forbes Williams Dean of Undergraduate Studies First, I have always been impressed with Joe's insistence on academic excellence long before that phrase was the "buzz" phrase of American educational circles... Joe's overall Letters Enjoyed Uris memories I enjoy reading about current events and news of the alumni from Portland State. I particularly enjoyed the article about Joe Uris (Summer 1986), since he was student body president the year I graduated. Keep up the good work. Robert Pattison ('67) Woodinville, Washington likes history series Excellent, well-written article in the Sum'mer '86 PSU Perspective ("The Sixties: A tradition of change and progress," by Clarence Heinl. I am thoroughly enjoying your series. Ed Cavin PSU Admissions experience at PSU and his knowledge of the institution allowed him to perform much as a concert organist - adjusting stops, volume and chords so that the whole thing made some sense. . . No one has yet had as much influence on the direction and growth of PSU as Joe.. . Finally, President Blumel has truly loved this institution with all of its warts and blemishes. IkmiInJ /loss Dean, Craduate School of Social Work Joe Blumel (more than once) reminded me that human beings are the 'ends' and universities are but the 'means.' On such occasions when perspective seemed to falter, this president with wisdom and compassion rekindled founded truths which are to me self-evident. We must continue on our search for excellence, but we shall seek it in its many ways: we shall remember our own roots and whom we serve, and carefully avoid elitist cant. . , I feel the privilege of serving in his era; I've felt his caring for us each and all. Dawn DressJer Physics 1973-74 was not a vintage year for PSU ... when Dr, Blumel's selection as president was announced, there was a sense of relief on campus. It looked like better days had to be ahead. He recognized that his first priority was a reconciliation effort with the community, and he set out resolutely to mend fences. I don't want to leave the impression that President Blumel forgot the faculty in those early years, because he didn't. /lichanJ Halley Emeritus, Economics I can remember almost 30 years ago when George Hoffmann said to How about a videotape? During a recent flight from Portland to Chicago, I had an opportunity to review in depth your summer Perspective issue. The article "Turning on with Math" was excellent. Also, I really appreciated catching up with the personalities in "Memories of the 60's." I always wondered what happened to thai wild-eyed radical. Joe Uris (I voted for him too). In thinking about the theme, "40 Years of Great Teaching, 1946-1986," I have a suggestion to the Alumni Association... Consider developing a nostalgic and informational videotape with the same name that could be sold to alumni and friends of PSU... Hopefu/ly I can sit back and eagerly await the 0pjXlrtunity to relive some of those greal college bowl highlights as well as get a look at what Neil lomax did for PSU after I left. Kenneth F. Sample ('67) Zion, Illinois me one day, 'There is some gent coming up here from the University of Oregon, wants to be an economist. . .' Joe came walking in - we were in the Bill's House and we had five desks in a bedroom. He was tall and good looking. We managed to get him in and we talked a bit. .. I went back to George and said, 'This dude is all right, let's hire him if we can get him.' He accepted and so this is the way he came to Portland State... He wasn't here very long until he married the prettiest and brightest girl in his class. I/oben/OMS Psychology Certainly the presidency of this University has not been a singular affair; it has been a family affair also. . . Over the years I have had the occasion to anend a number of social functions at the President's residence. The enjoyment and pleasure of each of these evenings has been enhanced by Priscilla (Blume!)'s social grace and charm. Ma/')'CumpstOll Placement Services He has remained in this tough job through these twelve years, many of which have been economically lean, politically challenging, and personally taxing. It is evidence of his deep commitment to this University... He ~ f ~ ~ l : b u ~ ~ ~ t s t ~ o ~ : ~ ~ ~ t n ~ r credited the faculty, the students, and the community for most of the University's gains. Dr. Skura has said that Portland State is poised for a great leap forward. I submit that we are positioned to take the great leap in large part because of the work of Joe Blume!' 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