RAPS-Sheet-2023-April

3 RAPS SHEET n APRIL 2023 Challenge adds $22K to RAPS Vogelsang Scholarship coffer FOR THE SECOND YEAR in a row, a generous anonymous donor gave RAPS members an opportunity to build the quasi-endowment for the RAPS Robert Vogelsang Scholarship, and the membership responded enthusiastically. Last fall, the donor agreed to follow up the 2021 challenge with another challenge. This time the donor agreed to match every donation at 50 percent, match at 100 percent every donation from those who hadn’t given in the past three years, and match at 100 percent donations from those who increased their previous donation by 50 percent or more. Forty-five RAPS members responded, raising a total of $13,240. Based on the conditions of the match, the donor matched $8,820, meaning this year’s challenge raised $22,060. Among the donors were eight who hadn’t given in the past three years—and one of them made a sizable donation. In addition, the anonymous donor increased the momentum for building our quasi-endowment by donating an additional $3,000. The donor’s dedication to the RAPS Robert Vogelsang Scholarship for two years in a row and the generosity of RAPS members are reasons to celebrate. Because the scholarship was converted to a quasi-endowment, each contribution further solidifies support for a student such as last year’s recipient, Jett Koda, who was our speaker at the RAPS general meeting in February. We were able to hear how she’s using her social work degree, reminding us that our contributions have an effect beyond the scholarship. On page 4 is a story introducing this year’s recipient, Melody Park, whose contributions we hope to learn about as they unfold. Thanks to all RAPS members for ensuring one of RAPS purposes: supporting an undergradute or graduate student scholarship award of $9,000, which nearly covers one year of tuition. That’s significant! —Sherwin Davidson Effort under way for new PSU history exhibit in Smith Center DEAR RAPS MEMBERS, This spring, we have a unique opportunity to celebrate the history of Portland State University by helping create a new exhibit that will honor the past contributions of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni—and the values PSU brings to the community. The RAPS History Preservation Committee is working with the University and PSU Foundation to create an inclusive timeline that celebrates many of our shared accomplishments. This timeline will be easily accessible to prospective students, current students, and visiting alumni and friends of PSU in a public area of Smith Memorial Student Union, just off the study space overlooking the Park Blocks. The hope is to have a mix of information, images, and artifacts presented in a variety of formats. Our goal is to raise at least $5,000 for this important initiative. With the loss of the 50th anniversary history display, which was removed due to space-use changes in Smith, there is a need to tell the story of Portland State using elements of the previous timeline and to add significant points that have occurred since 1996. Just as importantly, we have an opportunity to expand and enhance our story by including more about PSU contributors from diverse backgrounds and the events that reflect the values of inclusivity on campus. This project will provide a more accurate reflection of PSU’s history while honoring the many innovative people who have helped build it. Your generous donations will help make this project a reality. To make those contributions go further, if you give now RAPS is offering a dollar-for-dollar match (up to $5,000) for gifts made to the timeline fund this spring. The PSU Spring Day of Giving takes place Tuesday, April 12. Please join us in supporting this timeline project and help make sure our University’s history is properly documented, accurately represented, and available for all members of the Portland State University community to discover. You can make your gift online here: https://psudayofgiving.org/sdg-raps Sending a check? Please make the check payable to the PSU Foundation and indicate RAPS History Preservation Fund in the memo line. Mail to: Portland State University Foundation P.O. Box 243 Portland, OR 97207-0243 Be sure to also send an email to michiec@psuf.org so your contribution can be counted for the Day of Giving. Curious about an opportunity to sponsor the timeline with a larger gift? Reach out to Claire Michie at michiec@psuf.org or 503-725-2678. —Claire Michie Senior Director, Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving PSU Foundation HISTORY PRESERVATION

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