Portland State Magazine Spring 2016

SPRING 2016 pORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 3 spring Portland State Magazine wants to hear from you. Email your comments to psumag@pdx.edu or send them to Portland State Magazine , Office of University Communications, PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207-0751. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. Courtesy of the Viking Vets Club Regarding “Looking Back” in the winter 2016 issue, the musical group pictured on page 29 was of the Brothers Four appearing at Franklin High School. They were a popular group from the Northwest. The Viking Vets Club was the dance sponsor. Students from that era [mid-1960s] may also recall the “adult” dances, various term ending parties and of course the annual Strawberry Pop Festival at Bullfrog Park. The Vets Club was very active at that time and made some positive contributions to the college and community. And yes, some of its “doings” are better off not mentioned. Gary M. Curtis ’63 Gregory Wolfe’s compassion remembered In browsing through your magazine [winter 2016], I noticed with sadness the passing of Gregory B. Wolfe. The article seemed such a small cameo for a man I will always remember with a great deal of respect. The accompanying explanation mentioned that he was president of PSU during the turbulent years of campus protest against the VietnamWar. There’s no mention of other tensions on the campus that he dealt with in a profes- sional yet very understanding and even compassionate way. Women’s liberation, pro-abortion, Black power, free speech, the environment and myriad other activist agendas were simultaneously and vigorously emerging and being pressed by inexperienced, immature, uneducated teenage students and nonstudent campus agitators. The backdrop on campus was decidedly anti-military, and as a recent Vietnam infantry veteran, I had to bite my tongue on more than a few occasions. Ill-informed students and derisive comments from my professors were not uncommon. Regardless, Dr. Wolfe took the time from his busy schedule to take me, and my wife, into his office and personally recognize me on behalf of the University. Barry Babin ’74 The people behind PSU’s success I received my copy of Portland State Magazine [winter 2016] today. Reading the notices about the passing of former (and, I might add, popular in my student days) PSU President Gregory B. Wolfe and the 2002 retirement of Librarian Evelyn Crowell, I believe that they were among the many who have made PSU the successful educational institution it is today. John Reichlein ’68 Graduating at age 73 I have a possible story idea for you that would be great press for the University, as well as a warm human interest article. My mom, Kathy (Lee) Meehan, will be graduating this spring—more than 50 years after starting at PSU! Back then it was proper to put your husband’s needs before yours, so she had to quit to financially support her (then) husband and family (me and my sister). Along the way she became a fantastic artist and strong independent woman. I admire her so much for making the decision to complete her education at age 73. She has done this all through scholarships, grants and on her own. She’s graduating cum laude in arts and letters. I am so proud of her! Heather Willig featuring: PDXTalks Stories from the heart and soul of PSU PSU Convenes Hot-button political debate Homecoming Football and Urban Tailgate Vikings vs. Cal Poly Plus music, speakers, alumni reunions and much more For information on discounted hotel accommodations, email psualum@pdx.edu . Get yourself in a Kathy (Lee) Meehan OCTOBER 13-22 Letters