Portland State Magazine Spring 2007

Dolores Leon '70 (left) and Sara Pennington '06 are the first to sign up for the new PSU Alumni Associa– tion membership Meet our first association members DOLORES LEON WAS 32 years old, a wife and mother of four young chil– dren when she earned a biology degree from Portland State in 1970. Remark– ably, just one year lacer, she started medical school to become a physician. The same drive to succeed, bur entirely different circumstances, led Sara Pennington '06 to earn a degree in communication studies this past December. These women have much in com– mon, including the certainty that PSU has positively impacted their lives. That is why they were the first to become members of the new PSU Alumni Association membership program, which gives them exclusive benefits and better connects them to ocher alumni and the University. "There's sort of a pride factor in wanting to stay connected," says Pen– nington, who became the first New Grad member of the association. "I gradu– ated from PSU and am proud of it. I think it would be great to meet ocher alumni, see where they've gone, and learn what they have done since PSU." Leon, who has served on a variety of PSU committees and boards since 20 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE SPRING 2007 graduation, signed up to be a Life Member before the membership form was posted on the Web. "I was graceful for my education and promised myself that I would give back when the appropriate time came," says Leon. "I am and will forever be grate– ful to PSU and my professors for an excellent education that enabled me to pursue my dream of being a physician." Leon, who is now retired, studied medicine at Oregon Health & Science University and became an anesthe– siologist. Today, more students from Portland State are admitted to OHSU than any other institution, bur that was not always the case. "I felt a lot of pressure," remembers Leon. "If you were older than 25, they thought you were too old to start medi– cal school." She was one of only nine women enrolled in her class of 100 and the only one with chi ldren. Bur she was prepared. "There was no difference in my ability to compete having graduated from PSU," says Leon. Pennington, who grew up in Ashland, was seeking a more urban lifestyle when she chose PSU. She found the amenities and activities she was looking for, thanks to the school's downtown location. Pennington attended football games, theater productions, and spent time enjoying the Park Blocks. "I still live by PSU, so I see the can1pus everyday," says Pennington, who recendy became an associate agent for Ransrad, a staffing agency. "Ir's a great neighborhood, and you never have to go far to get anything you wane." In addition to their PSU Alumni Association membership, both women have family connections to the Uni– versity. Leon's husband , Fernando, is a strong supporter of PSU, and their son, Regan Leon, and his wife, Gina, are graduates. Pennington is engaged to PSU student Forrest Menanno, who is finishing his degree in political science. They plan to marry in August. Learn more about the new PSU Alumni Association Membership Program, and join today at www.alumni.pdx.edu. BY ADAM SM ITH STAY CONNECTED BECOME A PSUAA MEMBER TODAY www.alumni.pdx.edu