Portland State Magazine Winter 2007

Letters Remembering a dynamic teacher Thank you for printing Tania Thompson's arcicle abouc her dad, recired hiscory professor Basil Dmycryshyn. Ic scirred fond memories for me. I cook Hiscory 102 from Pro£ Dmycryshyn during winter cerm 1964. He was a dynamic, stimulating teacher, who stood out among a stellar hiscory faculty that included such luminaries as Charley White, Fred Cox, George Carbone, and Jon Mandaville. I had a 30-minure commute for Basil's class, which I think mer at 7 a.m.! He captured our attention even at that dark hour. Mark Adams '67 Gig Harbor, Washington Influence led me to become a professor I enjoyed the article on Dr. Basil Dmyrryshyn, and I remember him well. My first term at Portland Scace was winter 1958. From a small Eastern Oregon high school, I was totally intimidated by college and professors with Ph.D.s. I enrolled in Western Civilization with Dr. Dmytryshyn and sac with all my Korean vet buddies listening co his lectures with my jaw dropped because of his compelling delivery. He knew more about Western hiscory than anyone ever could. I couldn't gee enough of che books and essays he suggested. Midterm rime was another issue. I was sure I had fai led. When he returned the exam a week later, I had received an A- and some trenchant remarks about my essays that pushed me co excellence. I ended up caking five more hiscory classes from him. I eventually became a college professor partly because of the influence of scholars like him and their gentle encouragement. James O'Brien '61 Professor Emeritus, University ofArizona Portland State Magazine wants to hear from you. E-mail your comments to psumag@pdx. edu or send them to Portland State Magazine, Office of University Communications, Portland State University, PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207-0751. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. ···· ······ ················ ······· · ··········: