3 PAST TENSE Celebrating the History of RAPS The Retirement Association of Portland State (RAPS) was founded in the early 1960s by a group of senior faculty to develop activities for PSU retired emeriti faculty. Later the group expanded its mission to include faculty and University staff. Decades later at PSU’s 2013 annual President’s Luncheon for retired faculty and staff, President Wim Wiewel presented RAPS with a plaque “In Appreciation of 50 years of Contributions to the Portland State University Retirees and Community.” Wiewel’s recognition of the association’s years of “service, enthusiasm, energy, and creativity” is linked to numerous accomplishments of RAPS since its founding. A formal partnership has been established within the University for funding and operation of RAPS. An action-oriented Board of retired faculty and staff guides the association. A part-time Office Manager in our on-campus office handles ongoing business, meetings, and projects. Our membership includes more than 400 retired faculty and staff. Our monthly newsletter (The RAPS Sheet) is provided to members and to the PSU community. Two pictorial history books compiled and published by RAPS have extended the preservation and celebration of PSU’s history campus-wide. We offer our members monthly on-campus and/or community-based educational and cultural events. A comprehensive website serves the association’s members, PSU, and the public. RAPS provides leadership for participation with regional and national retirement organizations representing institutions of higher learning. Each year, RAPS awards a scholarship to a PSU student pursing studies in gerontology. --Steve Brannan and Mary Gordon Brannan PAST TENSE features glimpses into Portland State’s history. To submit a story (or an idea for one) email the RAPS History Preservation Committee at raps@pdx.edu.
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