—2— President’s Message RAPS helps drive history preservation . . . continued from page 1 Our Feb. 19 program on Portland State’s history has reminded me of the friendships with faculty and students that all of us developed over the years—and which continue through RAPS. I sometimes joined faculty from other departments eating lunch in the second floor SMU dining area. Prue Douglas, a RAPS member, told me about the regular lunches she enjoyed when she was studying Arabic at Portland State in the early 1960s. Every day 10 students sat around a long table in the Middle East Center on the third floor, Neuberger Hall (where the Foreign Languages and Literatures Department is now located). Professors Nouri Al-Khaledy and Fred Cox often joined the students as they spoke in Arabic, talked about the Middle East, sang songs, and planned parties. She credits this with inspiring her longtime interest in the Middle East and her becoming an English as a Second Language instructor at Portland State. Vic Dahl, co-chair of the RAPS Social/Friendship Committee, shared information about the Ferdinand Society. It was founded in 1956 by a group of male faculty members who felt a need for informal interaction and group discussions. An original membership limit of 16 was gradually increased to 95. In 1980 the first women to join were Maxine Thomas and Mary Constans, both active in RAPS today. The Ferdinand Society met for monthly luncheons with guest speakers from outside the University and enjoyed two large parties each year, often in cooperation with RAPS. According to Vic, “These meetings created a bond among faculty in different disciplines and an awareness of our bonds with the community which would not have been possible without such an organization.” One of the benefits of RAPS membership is the opportunity to socialize at our monthly programs. When I was ready to open our January program, I was delighted to face 37 people, all engaged in conversation. The same thing happens each month when the RAPS board meets—I have to rap the gavel to get board members to break up their extended conversations with one another! I encourage you to participate in the RAPS Bridge, Book, or Hiking groups, where you will find many opportunities to connect with old friends and develop new friendships. And do come to the Holiday dinner on Feb. 12—a reservation form is on page 6. —Marge Terdal ous retired and current faculty and staff,” Brannan said. Brannan cited several accomplishments. During 2004-2005 RAPS collaborated with Helen Spalding, University librarian, who recruited Geoff Wexler, archival consultant, from the Oregon Historical Society, to “assess campus needs for historical documentation and to recommend a systematic process and administrative policy on preserving and publicizing PSU’s history.” Wexler’s study concluded that “historical documentation is fragmentary and lacking in coordination campus-wide, and that expansion of archival resources and practices is needed to establish a culture of tradition that will assist Portland State University in honoring its heritage and shaping its future.” During 2006-2008 Provost Roy Koch became integrally involved with the project, urging all academic units to initiate history preservation efforts in their departments and programs; Koch’s request was subsequently supported by RAPS members making presentations and serving as a resource to deans, faculty, and staff. Project efforts also focused on PSU’s heritage, producing a poster titled “Flood of Change: Vanport College Thrives to Become PSU.” The poster depicted the University’s origin and its success following the 1948 flood of Vanport City. With leadership and support from Reardon, who by then was serving as interim president, copies of the framed poster were provided to deans and other key administrators to display in their buildings to honor Portland State’s heritage. Last fall, with support from Spalding, RAPS, and Koch, a major recommendation from Wexler’s study was finally realized at PSU: an expansion of the University archives through the hiring of its first full-time archivist, Cristine N. Paschild. This spring RAPS will also unveil its hard-earned three-year accomplishment: Portland State: A History in Pictures. This is the University’s first pictorial book and second published work focusing on its history. It is authored by Richard Sanders ‘57 (words) and Brent Schauer, former PSU photographer (photos). Additional information on this pictorial book will be available at Remembering PSU’s History on Feb. 19.
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