News
What's an enigmatologist? It's Will Shortz, the only academically accredited puzzle master in
the world and the keynote speaker for Portland State University's PSU Weekend. Shortz
designed his own major at Indiana University, which in 1974 led to his one-of-a-kind degree
in enigmatology, the study of puzzles.
In his long and distinguished career, Shortz has been the puzzle master for NPR's "Weekend
Edition Sunday," since the program's start in 1987, crossword editor of The New York Times,
editor of Games magazine for 15 years, and author of many, many crossword and other
puzzle books.
Shortz is the founder of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, the founder and
director of the World Puzzle Championship and the cofounder of the World Puzzle
Federation. Shortz was also the riddle writer for the film Batman Forever.
In addition to editing the weekday and Sunday puzzles for the Times, Shortz is the author or
editor of over 200 puzzle books. In 2006, Shortz was the subject of the feature documentary
film Wordplay. His many fans include celebrities and world leaders, including President Bill
Clinton.
PSU Weekend is a unique community-wide event sponsored by the PSU Alumni Association
that welcomes more than 1,200 friends, alumni, and neighbors to campus for an educational
and entertaining weekend. For more information about registering for lunch or attending the
free lectures go to http://www.pdx.edu/alumni/psu-weekend.
When:
PSU Weekend is Oct. 9-10, the luncheon with Will Shortz is Saturday, October 10, noon - 2 p.m.
Cost:
All lectures are free, but the luncheon cost is $30 but general admission seating is available for $10 and $5 for students.
Where:
Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom (the corner of Broadway Ave. and SW
Montgomery St., Portland, OR)
Contact:
For more information contact Scott Gallagher, Office of University Communications, at
503-725-8789 (office) or 503-957-7545 (cell).
Background:
Portland State University (PSU) serves as a center of opportunity for over 27,000
undergraduate and graduate students. Located in Portland, Oregon, one of the nation's most
livable cities, the University's innovative approach to education combines academic rigor in
the classroom with field-based experiences through internships and classroom projects with
community partners. The University's 47-acre downtown campus exhibits Portland State's
commitment to sustainability with green buildings, while many of the 125 bachelor's,
master's and doctoral degrees incorporate sustainability into the curriculum. PSU's motto,
"Let Knowledge Serve the City," inspires the teaching and research of an accomplished
faculty whose work and students span the globe.