Alumni Spotlight: Richard E. Feeney Class of ’61 B.A. in Political Science Richard Feeney remembers Portland State University as a school for adults. This was the practical university where vets with families studied. This unique extension school was attended by serious students and it was a place where “You were treated like an adult, surrounded by adults, and pushed by interesting faculty. Richard initially attended Pacific University. After an unhappy first semester there, his mother—a teacher—urged him to try PSU, where she had supplemented her education for decades. He found the coursework challenging and the professors really pushed him to work harder because of this. Throughout his time at PSU, Richard worked as an editor of the Vanguard, started a student group for Catholics interested in social change, was the chairman of the PSU Cultural Festival, and ran (and narrowly lost) for student body. He even had the great honor of meeting President Kennedy (then a senator) when he came to give a speech on campus. Richard believes Portland State University is different from other universities—a little more colorful. In the 1960s campus was filled with intellectuals, hippies, and beatniks, all coming together to challenge the norm and actively engage with their community. The students here were genuine and involved. As he looks back on his time at PSU and the camaraderie he shared with fellow students and faculty, Richard can’t help but ask, “Why would anyone go anywhere else?” Senator Kennedy’s visit to campus drew large crowds of students, including Richard Feeney.
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