1983·84 PSC got Clemans started, PSU gets his loyalty by Cynthia o. Stowell Chairing the 1984-85 Annual Fund for Portland State is Chuck Clemans' way of saying 'thanks.' "The University did a lot for me. It got me started," said Clemans ('56), who is the superintendent of Oregon City Public Schools. "This is a nice way to repay PSU." Clemans will direct the fund-raising efforts of ten teams of alumni volunteers who are similarly enthusiastic about Portland State. "There's been no arm twisting/' the chairman said of volunteer recruitment. ''They're delighted to help ouL" As a member of Portland State College's first graduating class, Clemans developed an early loyalty to the new institution. "It was touch and go as far as accreditation that first year," he said. "Some jumped ship and finished at other schools-i but I stuck it out" PSC was. accredited just before graduation and Clemans was among 72 faithfuls who received their degrees in June, 1956. What kept Clemans on campus is what makes him volunteer for PSU today. "I liked the idea at that time - and still do - of an urban university." Now Clemans feels it's up to alumni and donors to "help establish the preeminence of that urban university as a force in the Ponland community." In his experience as a fundraiser for PSU, Clemans has been impressed with the positive response to his calls. "In no way are we hitting a reluctant audience," he said. "And I'm not just talking about alums. More and more we're seeing gifts from other people who understand the imponance of supporting PSU in the community." This has been especially true with business people, said Clemans. "There is a symbiotic relationship between the business community in Ponland and the University. There are some enlightened business folks who understand the degree to which the University helps them, and in turn they look at hOlN they can help the University." Clemans would like to broaden this suppon by playing up PSU's contributions in science and technology, athletics and the arts. Communication is the byword for the 1984-85 annual fund campaign, according to the chairman. The team structure will encourage communication among volunteers, who will be taking a coordinated message to the community. "One of my goals," said Clemans, "is to get out good information to people as to how their money is being spent at PSU. We owe it to the donors." Each team member will have a detailed fact sheet to share with donors, he said. Clemans has been an active volunteer for Portland State since around 1980. when he joined the alumni communications committee. He feels his most effective work was with the public affairs committee in 198' , when alumni were going to bat for PSU in the state legislature. "It was a fairly heavy money fight." he said. "There was a deanh of knowledge about the focus and purpose of an urban university. I think we did a good job of defending PSU's integrity in the face of heavy budget cutting." Volunteering is second nature to Clemans, who sits on the boards of four community organizations, including Youth Adventures, Health Choice Inc., the Mcloughlin Memorial Society. and the Oregon Tri-City Chamber of Commerce. Clemans, who majored in elementary education at PSU and taught for ten years, learned his way around state and local politics during the decade he served as director of intergovernmental relations for Portland Public Schools. He was also in charge of all special projects for the district and saw federal monies dry up when "reverses in the economy and a conservative federal government" changed the climate of education beginning in , 980. "This affected the University, too," he commented. Private support is now more critical than ever, feels Clemans. "Private giving goes beyond what tuition and public money can be expected to do," he said, citing opponunities for faculty development, scholarships and improving the University's image. But, as Clemans has watched both his Chuck Clemans ('56) Annual fund Chair wife and son tryi ns- to get the class sections they need in order to graduate from PSU, he realizes that private support is also needed to enhance basic programs that have suffered from recent legislative cutbacks. "The University not only deserves our suppon, it needs our suppon," said the annual fund chairman. "Being a former student body president, I feel that I should help to lead the way in support of my alma mater, and encourage giving to the campus. I have quite a few friends in the University community and I like to maintain ties with them." John Becker '80 Annual Fund Volunteer 9
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