Community comes together for PSU Weekend

For the past 19 years, the PSU Alumni Foundation has welcomed thousands of students, alumni and community members to Portland State for a series of events known as PSU Weekend.

This year’s Weekend, Oct. 9–10, will continue that tradition of community interaction and education through lectures from diverse disciplines—science, sociology and art history, just to name a few.

Mary Coniglio, associate director for the Office of Alumni Relations, said the events create an opportunity for alumni and community members to visit Portland State.

“For us at the Alumni Association, we try to strengthen the bond with our community,” Coniglio said. “We highlight alumni, community and business leaders from various walks of life and create an interactive way for people to come on campus and be enlightened.”

According to the Alumni Association, the keynote lecture and luncheon will feature enigmatologist Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle since 1993.

Currently, tickets for the luncheon are sold out. Guests can still attend other free Saturday seminars, however.

On Friday, Oct. 9, guests who sign up as event sponsors (starting at $125) will also get to mingle with Shortz at an exclusive Preview Night Party.

Some interesting seminars to look out for at PSU Weekend: Saturday, Oct. 10

Generation Differences in the Workplace: Let’s Work Together
Alan Cabelly, Ph.D, professor of business administration (human resource management)
9 a.m.

As a university professor, Dr. Cabelly has seen it all: the different hair, music and technology enjoyed by many of his students. As a keen observer, he also notices the different stereotypes associated with his generation and that of his students.

In this lecture, Cabelly will address these generational stereotypes that are dividing the work place. Cabelly advocates for older generations to act as mentors, while at the same time accepting new technology so well enjoyed by their younger counterparts, such as text messaging, e-mail and Facebook. Through this lecture, Cabelly hopes to bring generations together and identify the tools needed to effectively work together.

Dorothea Lange: A Multimedia Presentation of Great Depression Oregon
David Horowitz, Ph.D., professor of history and Linda Gordon, Ph.D., NYU professor of history
10 a.m.

In 1936, documentary photographer Dorothea Lange shot the definitive image of the Great Depression that was later known as “Migrant Mother.” 

In this multimedia presentation, Horowitz brings to life Lange’s other photographs taken in rural Oregon in 1939, when she visited farmers fleeing from the Dust Bowl. Horowitz will do a dramatic reading of Lange’s field notations that accompany 36 of her photographs, along with a PowerPoint presentation. The event will also feature Gordon, who will deliver a lecture on Saturday.

For more information on the Dorothea Lange exhibit, check out the Oct. 7 issue of the Vanguard.

In Pursuit of Sustainability: Economic Crisis as Social Opportunity
Veronica Dujon, Ph.D., professor and chair Department of Sociology
10 a.m.

We are in an economic crisis. In spite of that, Dujon is optimistic for the opportunity it presents. Dujon said without such a crisis, it’s difficult to imagine that we would ever be move to re-think our life-long goals.

In this lecture, Dujon will discuss the basic human needs we must pay attention to instead of surplus consumption. Dujon said, as one of the richest country, our expectations and lifestyle are far greater than any other countries. The economic crisis will force us to rethink how we spend our money as an individual and on a state and federal level.

The lecture will incorporate Dujon’s expertise in globalization, economic development models and economic environments.

Holding on to Home: Where Will Your Parents, or You, Live in Old Age?
Paula Carder, ’99, assistant professor, Institute on Aging, Urban and Public Affairs
11 a.m.

Professor Carder has been working as a gerontologist for 15 years, during which time she has talked to many senior citizens about the choices they need to make concerning their living arrangements.

In this lecture, Carder will rely on her expertise and a study funded by the National Institute of Health to discuss the two options of living on your own versus living in senior housing.

Carder will ask such questions as, “What kind of service would you need?” and “What’s available to you?” in an effort to get people to think more about the pros and cons of each option. Along the way, she will touch on the personal, social, legal and financial aspect of the choice to stay or go.