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1 Form^x PSU professor I illiactiive part of PSU An amiable fellow with diverse interests, Professor Emeritus Ralph Ma- cy has one of the Northwest's largest butterfly collections. "Most children have an interest in insects," says this Biology prof. "I never got over it." Included in the impressive col­ lection is Euphydryas anicia macyi, a species named for Macy. He started collecting insects in 1918 and is still adding more. This collection of butterflies covers most of a room in Macy's base­ ment, including the walls. The beauti­ ful insects are from all over the world, and some in the collection that Macy collected before 1950 are now extinct. Professor Macy explained the many cases of mimicry in the insect world, that is, when a butterfly looks like another species of butterfly or even like a moth. There are many repetitious markings of wings, and also much di­ versity of patterns and colors in butter­ flies. Professor Macy wrote a book with Harold Shepard, Assistant Profes­ sor of Entomology, entitled "Butterflies," a handbook of butterflies in the U.S. He has had more than 100 publica­ tions, including one recommended by the Book of the Month Club. Macy came to PSU in 1955 af­ ter teaching at Reed College for 13 years, where he was the Biology De­ partment Chair. He taught Biology at PSU from 1955-1972. During thi's time, Macy was awarded several research grants and contracts, and was a member of numerous science and naturalist soci­ eties. He has enjoyed his tenure at PSU, and is still involved in the univer­ sity community; for example, he rarely misses a Viking football home game, Macy says. "I went there because it looked like it would be a place of great promise," Macy says of Portland State. "Many Reed students are from rich and significant families across the country. In 1955, PSU was in a primitive state. I knew Portland State would someday be a great university." Macy says he was thinking of Portland State in relation to the urban universities of Europe. "We're still in the pioneer stage at PSU," Macy adds. "I'm sure we'll be here 500 years from now." —Suzanne Levinson L 64