United States Senator Ron Wyden, in town for Saturday’s Homecoming football game against the University of Washington, toured the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Friday afternoon, calling it “extraordinary.”
Wyden, a 1974 graduate of the Law School, said he was touring the museum because he wanted to see some of the progress being made at the University. Jordan Schnitzer himself, who said he is an old friend of Wyden’s, accompanied the senator, his wife, Nancy, and Juine Chada, Wyden’s field representative for Eugene.
Standing in the museum’s courtyard, looking over a fish pond, the sound of the rain pounding on the roof, Wyden said, “There’s a serenity about this. It’s really special.”
Wyden said he was very impressed with the exhibits at the museum, which he said will “draw people from everywhere.”
“This is really as good as it gets,” he said as he walked through a room where calligraphic art was displayed.
“One of the things I’ve tried to do is showcase (Oregon’s) successes. I think people will find this spellbinding.”
He said he thinks the museum’s collections, which he called a great compliment to the University, will appeal to people all over the world and give visibility to local artists.
“When the word gets out, I think it will be a great boost for the University,” he said.
The senator had spoken at the UO foundation’s luncheon earlier in the day. He said his talk surrounded the “exceptionally important work” University researchers are doing with nano-technology, as well as the importance of restoring Pell Grants. He said the gap in access to higher education is what makes the foundation’s work important.