2 The RAPS Sheet Summer 2021 CO-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE After a year of haggis, let’s enjoy better fare WELL, TO SAY THAT the past year and a half has been unique, scary, and challenging is probably a gross understatement. I saw a cartoon recently that said, “If the year 2020 was a food truck it would serve only haggis.” I am proud to say that RAPS did not fold its tent during this time but offered programs preceded by social get-togethers via Zoom. Although Zoom is no substitute for face-to-face social interaction, it has been a decent substitute while we’ve been keeping safe. Given the results of our recent member survey (see page 6), it looks like the clear majority of us want to return to meeting in person on campus starting this fall term. For everyone’s safety we request that members and guests who visit our events be fully vaccinated. The survey results also reflect that we prefer having a light lunch before our on-campus programs. Our first luncheon program will be in October. Our next event will be our annual summer picnic to be held Thursday, August 19, at Willamette Park. This will give us a chance to catch up with each other and meet new friends in a casual social setting. On Friday, September 10, RAPS will sponsor a guided tour of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Fariborz Maseeh Hall (formerly Neuberger Hall). Additional details about this event and the August picnic are on page 1. As many of you know, I have been active in RAPS since retiring in 2003. I have served as program chair, membership chair, and president. I am happy to return to the board once more and have a chance to work with Pat Squire as co-president and the talented membership of our group. Dawn White, Program Committee chair, has an impressive lineup of programs for the 2021-22 academic year which are diverse in content – something for everyone. I look forward to interacting with all of you in person. If we have not met, please introduce yourself so that I can get to know you. All the best, —Bruce Stern THE NEW RAPS OFFICE MANAGER is Eben Yemoh, who takes over from Samantha McKinlay. Unlike McKinlay, who was forced by the pandemic to operate almost entirely from home, Eben will open the campus RAPS office when he arrives in Portland in September. Hours will be announced in the September RAPS Sheet. Eben formally took the reins June 15, a week after accepting the job, and settled in quickly. He and his wife, Aliana, are still in Eugene, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in general science with minors in chemistry and anthropology at the University of Oregon. Born in Accra, Ghana, Eben came to the United States when he was 18 years old. He attended Lane Community College in Eugene, where he received an associate’s degree, before transferring to UO. Once settled at Portland State, he will pursue a Master of Public Administration degree with an emphasis in health administration. “I thought RAPS would be a terrific opportunity,” said Eben, explaining that RAPS dovetails with his experience at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UO. The institute offers lectures, courses, and study and discussion groups on a wide range of topics to adult learners. After completing his degree at Portland State, Eben and Aliana hope to stay in the Pacific Northwest. “We really like Oregon,” he said. “We’re big into the outdoors, and everything we need is here.” New manager takes the reins of RAPS office for 2021-22
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