From the Spring 2014 Caller
MEET ALUMNI DIRECTOR SPRINAVASA BELL BROWN ’02
My inspirational Catlin Gabel moment![]()
I was lucky enough to be a student when esteemed author and lecturer Mark Mathabane was a faculty member. He was a soft-spoken man with intense eyes, a gracious spirit, and somber intensity about him. He was a true kindred spirit. He led a trip to New York hosted by the student group SPEED/UJIMA, during which I realized my eagerness to learn more about the enigma of race, diversity, class, and social injustice not just in America but worldwide. He influenced my love of African history and African American literature and inspired me to obtain a degree in African American studies from Oberlin College.
What is most different about Catlin Gabel 12 years later?
This is a tough question, but if I had to choose one thing it would be the food. I remember having sandwiches in the Barn, and bagels, lots of bagels. Yesterday for lunch I had an amazingly flavorful Vietnamese pork sandwich, and last week a delicious patty melt with locally raised beef. Hen Truong brings traditional and international flavors to the Barn menu. By doing so he is planting the seed for appreciation of the global diversity of food, which is truly Portland.
The future of alumni engagement
I envision a unique model for alumni relations built around the pillars of Catlin Gabel: focus on bold thinking, embracing innovation, and service to the community at large. I believe the future of alumni engagement includes the use of technology to provide access, bringing our community and our network closer while underscoring the value of personal connections. It’s also in recognizing our past challenges and facing them head on. My goal is to achieve Catlin Gabel’s unique alumni model with intentionality in programming, events, and engagement opportunities. Please stay tuned to further developments!
It’s all about relationships
The alumni relations office would love to hear from you! Please send us an email with your up-to-date address, phone number, and email, and let us know if you have changed jobs or career fields, got married, moved, or had children. Stay in touch by following us on Facebook @ CatlinGabelAlums, joining our Linkedin group, and signing up for the e-news.
If you want to go one step further, then consider joining the alumni board or regional chapters. As part of the alumni board you can help plan service opportunities and events, take part in the oral history program, plan alumni weekend, and much more. Please contact Owen Gabbert ’02, alumni board president, at ogabbert@gmail.com or Sprinavasa Bell Brown ’02, alumni program director, at browns@catlin.edu for more details.
Office of Alumni Relations, alumni@catlin.edu, 503-297-1894 ext. 424