umbrella tour...

 

I got invited on one of Portland State University's 'Umbrella Tours'...so named for two reasons:  they give an overview of various parts of the campus and its life AND one often needs an umbrella when touring.  Lucky for us, the day was beautifully sunny.

It was really very interesting.  We started out with coffee and juice, introduced ourselves, and then headed out for presentations done by 4 different professors.  There were about 5 others being 'given' the tour, plus a couple of student guides, a couple of people from the President's office, and the president of the Faculty Senate.  

I almost felt the tour was tailor-made for me.  We started with an Engineering professor talking about their electronics testing department.  I worked for Intel as a cost analyst (a long time ago) and so I actually understood what he was talking about.  I had done cost analysis for a department that made memory chips, so I understood all about wafers and yields and all that. 

Next, we went to a talk by the professor in charge of the Gerontology/Aging Studies dept., which is a part of the department of Urban Studies.  They look into how communities work successfully as folks age.  Ross is interested in Urban Planning and has worked with the elderly for the past 3 summers and I wonder if maybe he wouldn't be interested in pursuing this...

Then we went to an Advertising Class where the students presented an advertising campaign they had come up with having to do with discouraging binge drinking on campus.  They used all sorts of media including commercials, websites, text messaging, using social networking sites and more.  They were very impressive.  I had worked doing Advertising Cost analysis at Atari (again...an age ago), but still...

Lastly was the Physicist who was working on Global Warming issues, with an emphasis on the contribution of Methane to Global Warming.  My dad having been a dairy farmer, I was very familiar with problems that cattle have contributed.

They gave us lunch with the University President at the end and they gave us these GIGANTIC umbrellas.  Cool.

I came away being impressed with the breadth of things that the university was doing well.  The campus is lovely.  When I (eventually) turn 65, I can take classes for free there.  Only 13 years to wait for that little benefit, but I would definitely take advantage of it.  The staff is incredibly excited about what they have there...a little gem in the heart of Portland.  And that's what they have become...a wonderful asset to the city, an urban university that is a good choice for the students here.  Thanks, Portland State, I had an inspiring experience.

Comments

[Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com]

Your comment made me laugh because my mom says the same thing. She used cloth on us because we had allergies to the plastic in the disposables, but the whole landfills part never really occurred to her. I think she's called it "parenting in the Jurassic period" more than once =)

It's funny now, but I'm going to be saying the same thing to my kids one day, I'm sure.

[Dottie]

Hi,
I am in my early 40's and getting my degree from there. I love it. I am glad you had a chance to tour. I find myself always inspired by the campus. I need to go find one of those umbrellas. Dottie

[Margaret]

I've heard great things about them and know a couple of people who go there. The programs sound fascinating.

[Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com]

I would take advantage of that benefit too. I love learning, and what's better than gaining knowledge in whatever your interests are without cost? =)