6 In memoriam: Bernard (Ricky) Ross, 1916-2011 meritus Dean of Social Work Bernard (Ricky) Ross, born Jan. 1, 1916, died in Portland Dec. 19, 2011. Ricky enrolled in Reed College in 1932 but, like many young people in the Great Depression Era, interrupted his education to wander -- sometimes “riding the rails” -- in search of employment. Later he transferred to the University of Oregon, where he earned an AB in 1938. Subsequently he earned advanced degrees at JoAnna and Ricky Ross the Universities of Pittsburgh (MS 1941) and Michigan (PhD 1958). From 1944 to 1948 he took employment in New Deal reform agencies, serving as Regional Director and Racial Relations Adviser in the San Francisco office of the Federal Public Housing Authority. He launched his academic career at Michigan State University, where he served as a faculty member from 1958 to 1966. He next moved to Bryn Mawr College’s School of Social Work, where he held positions variously as professor, director and dean. In 1977 Dr. Ross became the second dean of PSU’s School of Social Work. From 1986 until his retirement in Last chance nearing to update listing he window of opportunity to make changes in your RAPS Directory listing is narrowing, reports Larry Sawyer, who is updating the RAPS database in preparation for publication of a new directory. To confirm that your listing in the current directory is correct, to update your information, or to instruct RAPS to withhold certain information, please send an email to raps@pdx.edu or call the RAPS Office, 503-725-3447. You may also give the information directly to Larry Sawyer, 503-771-1616 or larry_sawyer@comcast.net. Did you know . . . that PSU’s birthday is Feb. 14? That’s the day in 1955 legislation was signed making Portland State a four-year college. Among those present when Governor Paul Patterson signed the legislation were Stephen Epler, Portland State’s founder, and John Cramer, its first president. 1988 he served additionally as interim Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies. During Dean Ross’s stewardship, the School of Social Work’s instructional and research activities continued to grow as its undergraduate and graduate degree programs underwent various transformations. In 1984 the School received its third accreditation affirmation and obtained funding for the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health. Ricky’s colleagues remember him for his quick wit, enthusiasm, and dedication to social work education. The institution owes him a great debt of gratitude for his willing service that laid the groundwork for a Social Work PhD program. Ricky is survived by his wife, JoAnna Henry Ross; his children, Jonathon, Marc, and Natalie; grandchildren, Hallie and Elias; and stepson, Julian. To them our organization extends its heartfelt condolences. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Portland Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. An obituary appeared in the Oregonian Dec. 25, 2011 and may be consulted in the RAPS files. A guestbook may be signed at www.oregonlive.com/obits. --Victor C. Dahl, Emeritus Professor of History Potiowsky speaks to RAPS Feb. 16 “The Little Engine that Could: Oregon’s On-Again Off-Again Economic Recovery” is the title of Tom Potiowsky’s talk to the RAPS group at its February meeting, to be held in 338 SMSU from 1:00 to 3:00. Potiowsky, professor and chair of economics, served as the State of Oregon’s economist from 1999 until 2006 and from 2007 to 2011. Coming up in March: the annual RAPS potluck, Thursday, March 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in 338 SMSU. with PSU Professor Larry Kominz and actor Naoka Iori presenting vocal and physical demonstrations of Kabuki and Takarazuka, forms of Japanese theater. Coming up in April: the annual President’s Gathering hosted by President Wim Wiewel, scheduled for Thursday, April 12 at University Place. RAPS bestows its annual awards to outstanding staff and faculty retirees at this event. E T
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