NEWS FOR AND ABOUT PEOPLE SUPPORTING THE • SUMMER 2009

A warm hearth FORMER SINGAPORE STUDENTS HONOR HOST FAMILY WITH SCHOLARSHIP

huck and Jackie Swenson of Eugene didn’t really C know what they were getting into in the late 1970s when a neighbor who was moving away asked them to fulfill his commitment to be a “host family” to two University of Oregon students from Singapore.

“The fact that They didn’t know that they they would would serve as temporary parents to more than fifteen do this for us Singaporean students over ten years, that they and their two in our name– sons would develop lifelong friendships with some of the PHOTO BY MICHAEL MCDERMOTT we just can’t Chuck Swenson and his wife, Jackie, say they are humbled and grateful that former UO students and their families, students they hosted from Singapore in the 1970s and ’80s have established a scholar- believe it.” and that they would travel to ship in their name for future students from the region. Jackie, disabled by Parkinson’s Singapore twice. disease, now lives at Farmington Square assisted-living facility in northeast Eugene.

Chuck Swenson And they certainly didn’t anticipate that almost Scholarship for students from Singapore and thirty years later, one of those students would Hong Kong. express his gratitude by establishing a UO scholarship in their names. Richard Seow, a “I’m humbled, and my wife is, too,” 1983 UO economics graduate, spearheaded said Chuck Swenson, retired owner of a successful drive to raise $500,000 to fund the Charles A. and Jackie Swenson Endowed Continued on page 2 A new era for education TOP-RANKED COLLEGE OF EDUCATION FINALLY HAS FACILITIES TO MATCH

“We have done it!” UO President Dave The $50.5 million project involved construction Frohnmayer exclaimed to some 400 alumni, of the new HEDCO Education Building and donors, faculty members, and students renovation of the college’s older buildings. attending the June 11 dedication of the College Private donors funded 60 percent of the cost, of Education’s stunning new facilities. helping to secure the Oregon legislature’s authorization for most of the rest. “This new education complex is a splendid statement about our priorities,” Frohnmayer “Gone are the ‘temporary’ trailers that lasted To see a slideshow of the new building, said. “Nothing is more important than the go to giving.uoregon.edu/coe.htm. education of our children.” Continued on page 2

Warm hearth Continued from page 1 Chuck and Jackie Swenson (far right and from home. “They were always around when third from right) enjoyed a reunion with some of their international “children” in you needed them with a hot, home-cooked Singapore in the early 1980s. The alumni meal, care packages during finals, and most from Singapore are, left to right, Willy Teo, importantly, some old-fashioned, sensible A new direction Penny Gan, Raymond Moses, Jimmy Tay, advice whenever we had any problems,” he and Richard Seow. REDESIGNED NORTHWEST REVIEW ROLLS OUT FIRST ISSUE remembers. One of your best summer reads could be the They aspire to raise ’s profile Steve Durrant, UO vice provost for international Northwest Review newly redesigned . to that of top publications such as affairs, says the new scholarship will help Northwest Review The Kenyon Review, New England Review, and TriQuarterly. boost the university’s contingent of students Pulitzer Prize–winning poets Yusef from Singapore, which has declined in recent Komunyakaa (1994 for Neon Vernacular) and The presence of a flourishing literary years. And that will lead to more rewarding Charles Wright (1998 for Black Zodiac) join journal signals the strength and vitality of a experiences for local host families like the more than thirty prominent and emerging university’s writing and literature programs. Swensons. authors with new stories and poems in the first Northwest Review receives financial backing Automotive Paint and Industrial Supply. issue edited by a team of UO creative writing from the UO’s Creative Writing Program, “What they gave us was much more than what “The fact that they would do this for us in our professors. the Department of English, the Office of the we gave them,” said Chuck of the students name—we just can’t believe it.” President, and the College of Arts and Sciences. he and Jackie befriended. “They gave us Poet Geri Doran, the general editor, says the Additional support comes from subscriptions Seow, now chairman of the health-care an understanding of their culture and the UO’s fifty-two-year-old literary journal gives and private donors. group Parkway Holdings in Singapore, says knowledge that kids in Singapore are no voice to ideas that get drowned out in the the Swensons made a huge difference in his different than ours—they all just need a little mainstream’s Twitter-culture. However, four years from now Doran hopes the experience as an international student far love when they’re away from home.” journal will be financially independent, ideally “We will preserve this journal’s tradition of with a fully funded endowment. publishing regional writers while further With a compass as its opening it to diverse voices from across the “We’re already gaining momentum,” she logo, Northwest Review nation and around the world,” she said. said. “We are reducing costs, increasing embarks on a new era. “Northwest Review is now a literary journal for subscriptions, and raising our presence in the Cover art by Vietnamese- all points on the compass, a journal of chance literary community.” American photographer and transformation.” Binh Danh, Spring 2009 A few copies of the current issue are available Doran and her coeditors, Ehud Havazelet at $8 each through nwr.uoregon.edu. To (fiction) and Garrett Hongo (poetry), have the celebrate the journal’s reinvention, through luxury of building on strong foundations laid September the editors are offering UO alumni a by poet John Witte, a member of the English special two-year subscription for $35, a savings faculty, during his twenty-nine years as editor. of $5.

Donors Lorry Lokey, left, and Dody Dornsife Jernstedt pull the ribbon to open the new HEDCO Education Building to touring visitors after the

June 11 building dedication. PHOTO BY JACK LIU

“This is our A Ken Kesey “This is what’s “Northwest Review Fiftieth anniversary A new era for education Continued from page 1 beginning. . . . If we exclusive different: / my prayer remains as spry and issue, Fall 2007 are to be in the midst there’ll be a summer sassy, as committed forty years, the tennis courts, the dark offices, and sciences. The foundation’s $10 million Twentieth anniversary of the life of a region, issue, Spring 1977 to survive, / that our to originality, and and the classrooms left over from the old lead gift launched the fundraising drive for the we should be aware deaths will not be the as devoted to the University High School, which closed in building in 2004. of that life, not only last.” upcoming young the 1950s,” said Michael Bullis, dean of the to reflect it, but to From “Late Spring writer as ever.” The new complex also includes the college’s College of Education. “At long last, we have be critical of it, and in the Nuclear Age,” From the Editor’s facilities fitting the excellence of our academic original historic brick quad, named for to make comment by Andrew Hudgins, Preface (John Witte), programs, research units, faculty, staff, and donor Lorry I. Lokey in appreciation of his upon it through all Winter/Spring 1984 thirtieth anniversary students.” $12.5 million investment in the project; the of the voices at our issue, Fall 1987 Clinical Services Building; and the Education command.” Attendees at the celebration got some more Annex, known informally as “the little red From the Editor’s Note good news when Frohnmayer announced “an schoolhouse.” (Robert Paul), inaugural exciting new partnership” with Microsoft issue, Spring 1957 to incorporate new technology into the What began as a plan to expand and modernize “Northwest Review is now a literary college’s programs. The new facilities already facilities overwhelmed by a tripling of include the most advanced technology at the enrollment has resulted in the transformation of journal for all points on the compass, university for teaching and learning. the entire 9.8-acre site. Gardens, courtyards, and walkways extend gathering opportunities into a journal of chance and At four stories counting the basement parking natural surroundings. The main “Walk of Fame” structure, the HEDCO building increases the linking the new building with the three newly transformation.” college’s space within the complex by two- renovated buildings features pavers purchased thirds and brings its five clinical training by alumni and friends to honor their mentors. Geri Doran, General Editor programs under one roof. The building is named for California’s HEDCO Foundation, Speakers at the event included George whose president, Dody Dornsife Jernstedt, is Pernsteiner, chancellor of the Oregon University a 1969 UO graduate who holds bachelor’s and System, and Susan Castillo, state superintendent 2 master’s degrees in communication disorders of public instruction. 3 Carla Blumberg, right, has made a bequest to the UO to honor her friend Sally Miller Gearhart, left, by establishing the Sally Miller Gearhart chair and lectureship in studies.

Myesha Abdulrahman was one of 416 lower-income students who entered the UO last fall thanks to PathwayOregon. This new program covers tuition and fees for twelve terms within five years. Selected students also receive housing. PathwayOregon also provides critical PHOTO BY JACK LIU support to help students succeed. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MCDERMOTT On the right course Honoring diversity and courage PATHWAYOREGON MAKES COLLEGE A REALITY FOR LOWER-INCOME STUDENTS DONOR ENDOWS CHAIR IN LESBIAN STUDIES

t was a day Myesha Abdulrahman will Her father moved out when she was a baby. When Carla Blumberg and Sally Miller Neither Blumberg nor Gearhart is a UO alum. never forget. “My mom and I were in my There were days without enough food to go Gearhart first met in 1963, they shared a They chose the UO for the chair and lectureship Icounselor’s office at Jefferson High School,” around. Days without power or water because secret they couldn’t talk about. partly because Gearhart had already donated her the UO freshman recalls. Then he told her the bills were overdue. And homeless stints, papers to UO Libraries Special Collections and “This is the about the envelope, PathwayOregon, and how moving from house to house, staying with “I wanted to Blumberg was a drama student and Gearhart because she knew some faculty members here. her dream of college had just become real. friends, family, or in shelters. her teacher at a small private religious school opportunity honor Sally near San Antonio, Texas. They would later Also, both were impressed with the national “My mom cried. It was a lot of pressure off of But college was a dream worth the work. “I become lifelong friends but, at the time, reputation of the UO Department of Women’s of a lifetime. her. We were both just really happy, because I knew that being involved was going to open because she neither knew the other was a lesbian. and Gender Studies, where the chair and could go to school now.” the door to scholarships,” she says. In high lectureship will be housed. Education school, Abdulrahman was a cheerleader, honor is one of the “We never mentioned the one big thing is the key to Last fall, Abdulrahman and 415 other lower- student, and junior class president. She was bravest women we had in common because Texas closets “I was delighted” about Blumberg’s gifts, income students became members of the president of the National Honor Society and were very deep and dangerous,” remembers department head Ellen Scott told the Oregon success and inaugural class for PathwayOregon. The volunteered for an organization working on with the most Gearhart. “I was terrified, as was every lesbian Daily Emerald. “It’s not often that small program covers the difference between other African American health issues. I knew, of being accused of being what we programs find people saying ‘I’d like to establish freedom.” sources of financial aid and the total cost of integrity of really were.” an endowed chair here.’ Having that kind tuition and fees for twelve terms within a “Mom made ends meet by herself with three of focus on your program and that kind of Gearhart came out of the closet in the 1970s. Myesha Abdulrahman five-year period. To qualify, students must be kids,” says Abdulrahman. “She was a strong anyone I have appreciation . . . it’s an honor. She was the first open lesbian to obtain PathwayOregon Scholar Oregonians eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. woman. Mom would say, ‘You have to do this so you don’t have to live the life that I’ve had ever met.” a tenure-track faculty position when she “It is important to acknowledge how unusual PathwayOregon also provides comprehensive to live.’” was hired in 1973 by State an endowment in lesbian studies is. This support to help make sure students have Carla Blumberg University, where she helped establish one of constitutes a radical act, even in 2009. the tools for success in college and after PathwayOregon provides counseling and UO Donor the first women and gender study programs Carla Blumberg should be congratulated they graduate. More than one-third are first- tutoring and requires students to check in in the country. She later became a nationally for the statement she makes in creating this generation college students. regularly and meet benchmarks designed known gay-rights activist. endowment.” to help them earn a degree in twelve terms. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” says “Money isn’t enough,” says PathwayOregon To increase knowledge about lesbian history Gearhart, who now lives in northern California, Abdulrahman. “Education is the key to success coordinator Carla Bowers. “PathwayOregon and issues and to honor Gearhart for her is an author of and feminist and freedom.” Growing up in northeast also provides them with the personal support courage and service, Blumberg has made utopian novels, including Wanderground: Portland, Abdulrahman overcame obstacles that that they need to actually be successful while a $1.2 million bequest to the University of Stories of Hill Women (1978), which Blumberg send many young people down a different path. they’re here.” Oregon to establish the Sally Miller Gearhart describes as “a kind of Bible” for and Chair in Lesbian Studies. It will be one of feminists of the time. Gearhart fought alongside “My first term was so hard,” Abdulrahman the country’s first endowed chairs in the the late , the nation’s first openly says. “I felt out of place. I took too many field. Blumberg, who owns a restaurant in gay politician, to defeat the Briggs Initiative, a Way to go, Mom! credits.” Bowers helped her manage her course Duluth, Minnesota, has also made a matching 1978 California ballot measure that would have Friends and supporters of Lynn Frohn- load. At the end of her freshman year, she’s gift of up to $25,000 for contributions to the banned gays from working in public schools. mayer (left) attending the University of Oregon Pioneer Award dinner learned well on her way to completing a degree. Sally Miller Gearhart Lectureship in Lesbian She appeared in the 1984 Academy Award– that her youngest daughter, Amy (right), Studies, which started this year. winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk. is one of her biggest fans. Amy, who Abdulrahman has declared a major in graduated from Stanford University psychology, and this summer she’ll be getting “I wanted to honor Sally because she is one Blumberg and Gearhart hope the UO chair and this year, was one of the speakers at the event. A committee of UO alumni professional experience while interning at of the bravest women with the most integrity lectureship will not only preserve the history of and friends who plan the annual award Legacy Emmanuel Hospital and Health Center of anyone I have ever met,” says Blumberg. lesbians’ struggle for civil rights but also help event selected Lynn for the 2009 award in Portland. Also, she hopes the enhanced research and ensure that people of all sexual orientations can because of her lifelong dedication to teaching in lesbian studies at the UO “will be who they are without fear of losing their jobs, improving the lives of children. About “I don’t want to go through the mental 300 people attended the May 1 event, continue to shine light upon all the issues families, and personal safety. held at the Nines Hotel in Portland. and financial hardships my family has connected to human sexuality in general, and experienced,” she says. “I want to be the one gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender sexualities “The closet was an awful place to be,” says who makes a difference.” Gearhart. “I want to do anything I can to help PHOTO BY JACK LIU in particular.” —Ed Dorsch free all people from such limitations.” 4 5 to predict our working memory capacity,” she said. “I thought, why not use that to sort out the cognitive functions involved in controlling posture?”

Her early findings indicate that if we perform mental gymnastics while we’re in motion, some of our brain’s resources get rerouted to help maintain posture.

Elaine Little coaches fellow “We hope this will help to uncover exactly graduate student Sujitra what is changing in people who experience Boonyong of Thailand through unexplained falls as they grow older,” an experiment aimed at revealing why some people are plagued with Little said. “I love this project. It’s certainly unexplained falls as they age. A broadened my perspective on how the brain What a ride 1937 graduate’s bequest helped works.” Little present her findings in Italy. THE MAN WHO BRINGS WELLS FARGO’S ICONIC BRAND TO LIFE FUNDS AN However, if not for a gift, the former physical ENDOWMENT FOR ECONOMICS therapist from Canada could not have presented her findings in person this June at ot many people get to live out their marketing. His new job included sending the meeting of the International Society for childhood fantasies, but Doug Murphey stagecoaches to special events. When the hired Posture and Gait Research in Bologna, Italy. N’64 hit the jackpot when he switched driver didn’t work out, Murphey found himself from suit-and-tie-banker to Wells Fargo literally holding the reins in a local parade. He As with many of today’s students, Little and stagecoach driver in 1972. was hooked. He bought four quarter horses and her family have made sacrifices so she could the requisite tack, and never looked back. pursue her doctorate. She gave up her job as The company’s red Concord coaches became a physical therapist. Her husband continues

the nation’s first rapid transit in 1852 when Murphey worked as a banker on weekdays PHOTO BY JOHN BAUGUESS to work in Calgary, Alberta, to make ends Wells Fargo and Company established an and stagecoach driver on weekends for two meet. Spending $450 toward the conference express operation between New York and years. When he became assistant vice president registration fee wasn’t in the cards. California’s gold country. Today the Wells in 1974, he continued to manage the rapidly UO donor Doug That’s when a bequest from the late Ursula Murphey of Murrieta, Fargo stagecoach is one of the most enduring growing stagecoach appearance program. Four When a little California, started corporate symbols. years later he gave up the banking part of his “Sue” Moshberger came to the rescue. The driving a Wells job to concentrate on stagecoaches full time. 1937 alumna earned her bachelor’s degree in Fargo stagecoach Murphey supervises stagecoaches, teams physical education. When she drew up her on weekends means everything early in his career, of horses, and drivers for everything from Since retiring in 1997 after thirty-three years will, her gift to the UO took the form of a living above. Today, above commercial shoots to special events, including with Wells Fargo, Murphey has continued as a $450 GRANT HELPS STUDENT SHARE trust to help support her siblings. After their right, he continues major parades. It’s safe to say the job is unique, consultant. He even helped build a stagecoach. lifetimes, the trust passed into the endowment to manage the FINDINGS ON FALL PREVENTION WITH and Murphey says he owes his success to his “It was a labor of love,” he said. “I liked that helped send Little to Italy. company’s stagecoach THE WORLD promotional events. University of Oregon liberal arts degree. learning what it took to keep the same shape and functionality while making improvements “I am very thankful for this gift,” Little said. “It Growing up on horseback in ranching country to meet the demands of the twenty-first What is going on in the brains of older people made all the difference.” near Santa Rosa, California, Murphey dreamed century.” who suddenly fall down—hard—for no of going to a beautiful campus with ivy-covered apparent reason? Moshberger grants have helped send buildings. “When I saw photos of the UO, they Murphey anticipates that this year’s merger nineteen promising UO students, including matched the picture in my mind,” he said. with Wachovia will make him and his twenty- UO doctoral student Elaine Little is making undergraduates, to key professional meetings one drivers busier than ever as the Wells Fargo inroads on answering that question. Her early since the endowment was activated in 2007. Murphey lived in the old Vet’s Dorm, joined findings have turned the heads of leading brand spreads to more than 3,500 additional UO human physiology professor Marjorie Sigma Chi, and chose economics as his major. locations—most in the eastern U.S. researchers in fall prevention. Degree in hand, he headed back home and Woollacott says this type of support greatly reported for management training at a then Now Murphey is planning for the future Little looks at how brain waves change as benefits students—and, ultimately, society. small local bank called Wells Fargo. success of UO grads by creating an endowment people attempt to keep their balance while concentrating on a visual task. The idea hit her “My students often form new collaborations through his will to support a professorship and with other scientists that blossom into exciting He started out in credit card sales and student scholarships in economics. when she took a UO psychology course as part eventually headed the team that handled of her doctoral program in human physiology. research projects across disciplines and across merger applications when the company “My UO education eventually translated into national boundaries,” she said. “Gifts like the acquired several independent banks. what I’m doing now,” he said. “I hope my “My psychology professor used a visual task Moshberger bequest are very important.” contribution will help others be able to say —Melody Ward Leslie As the company expanded to cover southern the same.” California, Murphey became involved in UO Foundation hires new CEO

KNIGHTS, LOKEY AWARDED 2009 PRESIDENTIAL MEDALS he University of Oregon Foundation has has been out of college at least twenty years T hired Eugene insurance executive Paul and has demonstrated continued service and Weinhold as its new president and CEO. leadership to the university. Top University of Oregon benefactors and innovative business and construction of the William W. Knight Law Center and the Ed founders Lorry Lokey and Phil and Penny Knight were honored with Moshofsky Sports Center. Weinhold, a 1986 UO political science Weinhold has been active with numerous the University of Oregon’s highest award—the Presidential Medal— Phil Knight ’59 was cofounder with legendary UO track coach Bill graduate, started his new position July 1. nonprofit boards in Eugene over the years. during Commencement in June. Bowerman of Nike, the world’s largest sports and fitness company. He comes to the Foundation from Wells These include the PeaceHealth Foundation, In 2007 the Knights made the largest gift in UO history—a $100 Lorry Lokey founded Business Wire, the San Francisco–based Fargo Insurance Services, where he has been Kidsports Foundation, Oregon Trail Council million pledge to help make it possible for the athletic department to business news service that is now one of the largest in the world. managing director since fall 2006. Before that, of the Boy Scouts of America, Urology remain financially self-sufficient and move forward with a new 12,500- Lokey grew up in Portland and graduated from Stanford University. he served in various capacities at Willis of Research and Education Foundation, and the seat basketball arena. The arena and a student scholarship are named A major international benefactor of education and science, Lokey is Oregon Inc. starting in 1986 and culminating in Children’s Miracle Network. He is married after their late son Matthew. the UO’s largest academic donor, contributing more than $132 million his appointment as president and CEO in 2000. and has three children. The Knights have made many other gifts benefitting both athletics since 2005. His gifts have helped fund science research and teaching, and academics at the UO. Their generosity has supported more than new buildings for the sciences, renovation and expansion projects for Weinhold was a member of the UO golf team and “I am honored to be joining the University thirty endowed faculty positions; renovation and expansion of Knight the College of Education and the School of Music and Dance, and the was named an honorable mention All-American of Oregon Foundation and look forward to Library, the James F. Miller Theatre Complex, and Autzen Stadium; School of Journalism and Communication’s new Portland program. University of Oregon Foundation in collegiate golf in 1983. The university being a part of supporting the outstanding President and CEO Paul Weinhold honored him with its Leo Harris Award in 2007. work and mission of the University of The award is given to an alumnus letterman who Oregon,” Weinhold said. 6 7 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT PAID Eugene OR 1207 University of Oregon Permit No. 63 Eugene OR 97403-1207

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Editor Ann Baker Mack Director Development Communications (541) 346-2127 [email protected]

Writers Ed Dorsch Senior Associate Director Development Communications

Melody Ward Leslie Associate Director–Writer Development Communications

Designer 4 5 6 Colin Miller Design and Editing Services

Oregon Outlook is published by WHAT’S INSIDE the UO Office of Development giving.uoregon.edu A new era for education...... P A G E 1 An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action On the right course...... P A G E 4 institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Honoring diversity and courage...... P A G E 5 Act. This publication will be made available in accessible formats upon request. ©2009 What a ride...... P A G E 6 University of Oregon DES0709-021dk-H15136

giving.uoregon.edu

Lorry’s Science Exchange Philanthropist Lorry Lokey (seated at left) brought together scientists from two of his favorite universities—the University of Oregon and Technion- Israel Institute of Technology—during a campus visit in early March. Lokey has made major contributions to science research and teaching at both institutions. Technion visitors talking with Lokey and UO scientists are Aaron Ciechanover, 2004 Nobel Prize–winner in chemistry, center, and Technion president Yitzhak Apeloig, to Ciechanover’s right. During the visit, officials of the two institutions signed an agreement for student and faculty exchanges. PHOTO BY JACK LIU