Winter 2026 11 SO-MIN KANG ing fun. I have never forgotten our senior project. I had wanted to test a pulse jet engine, but the lab unit was too big and powerful to do so safely in the lab. I suggested a 3-foot model, available for $45. He said yes and that I should buy it and he would find the repayment later. My designed tests were great, proved the engine’s thrust, and made a lot of fire and noise — a good show-off for Senior Week. He loved it and paid me back.When I was an officer in the Air Force and in Corvallis for business, I would stop and see him in his old office. He was still teaching, so we had great discussions about his work and my work as an Air Force space and missile test engineer. I think he was happy that his work with me was well spent. —USAF LT. COLONEL (RET.) RONALD L. AKERS, ’ 57 Safer Sawing As a forestry major, I’ve always enjoyed working in and with woods, so imagine my surprise when I reached the last few pages of the Fall 2025 issue of the Stater and found that Steve Gass, inventor of the SawStop [see photo above], is a fellow alum. The woodshop at our retirement community has had one for over 10 years, and it is the standout centerpiece of our equipment, attracting several residents to move 53 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD here and safely enjoy woodworking as we age. I now have an indirect connection to a personal hero. —DICK PARADY, ’ 70 Fir the Record I was flabbergasted to read not one but two Fall 2025 articles incorrectly spelling the name of Oregon’s state tree. Douglas-fir (genus Pseudotsuga) is not a true fir. True firs, such as the noble fir, are in the genus Abies. Therefore, “Douglas-fir”must always be hyphenated, a spelling formally adopted by the International Botanical Congress. While “Douglas fir” is commonly used, it’s technically inaccurate. OSU has one of the best forestry colleges in the world, and no doubt the entire faculty is fuming big time right now. —JOSH KAHAN, ’90 Editor’s note: Because the English language supplies us with a wondrous variety of ways to spell and punctuate, publications commonly use style guides to settle disputes. Whenever we mention the state tree, there is debate about whether to hyphenate, but for now we continue to defer to AP Style. Send letters to stater@osualum.com or go to OregonStater.org/connect. We edit for clarity, brevity and factual accuracy. Please limit letters to 225 words or less. Elizabeth Vandehey, ’72, sent in this photo of members of the Class of ’72 Alpha Phi sorority celebrating their 75th birthdays in Victoria, British Columbia. “We get together every summer in Sisters, Oregon, for our annual ‘Sisters in Sisters,’” Vandehey said. Pictured here (left to right) are Betsy McGowan Holzgraf, Mary Paczesniak, Jane Karnath Ditewig, Reni Cogger Matlock, Linda Breeding Clancy, Barb Jackson Roberts, Elizabeth “Lizz” Anderson Vandehey and Jane Roberts. BEAVER NATION: WE’RE ALL EARS! Alumni are the heart of the Oregon Stater. Your stories, your memories and your feedback guide what we do. Our reader survey is your chance to share thoughts on everything from your favorite stories to topics you wish we’d cover more. Feedback is anonymous, but if you leave an email address at the end, you’ll be entered to win a $100 Fanatics gift card. It’s our way of saying thanks and helping you show your Beaver pride. Scan this QR code with your smartphone’s camera or go to bit.ly/4nQUsq0 to get started.
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