Member Spotlight – Hakan Kutgün
(ORTA-O): Tell us about yourself and your story of coming to Oregon.
(Hakan Kutgün – HK): My name is Hakan. I live in Beaverton with my loving wife Hande and our son Okan (who would be sorely disappointed if I hadn't mentioned he is 5.5 years old already). Coming from Ankara, we arrived in Portland for my graduate studies at PSU, with my wife, 4 suitcases and bright hopes of building the next chapter of our lives together on a sunny day in Fall in 2016. Since then, we have been blessed with expanding our family with our son and lifelong friends we have met in Portland, whom we consider our extended family now.
(O): Which field of studies and what do you do outside PSU?
(HK): My career is in engineering management, but I consider myself an artist and explorer at heart. I love being outdoors and have a passion for photography. I have been a photographer for over 20 years and especially enjoy event/wedding and landscape photography. I'm also interested in woodworking and have completed many projects over the years from things as small as a folding table to a massive 14'x20' solid wood deck for our backyard. I have a small workshop in my garage that I love spending time building or fixing things. I also like cooking and have a discerning taste for various ales and scotch. We enjoy fishing and kayaking as a family when we find the chance.
(O): When and how did you hear about ORTA?
(HK): We heard about ORTA as it was first established as an organization back in 2019, and we had the pleasure of witnessing ORTA growing up along with our own family since its founding days.
(O): Can you share a little more about your story with ORTA?
(HK): Through ORTA we connected with like-minded individuals sharing our cultural heritage, we enjoyed celebrating our national holidays in the spirit of a Turkish wedding, and we made new friends. I also had the pleasure of giving back to the community by memorializing many ORTA events as the designated photographer. Last, but certainly not the least, we found means to pass our culture along to the next generation through ORTA Kids Club with Hande and our newly found extended family volunteering as well. Okan, who has never been to Turkey yet, had experienced national celebrations as "bayram", danced a wedding "halay" and craves Maras ice cream thanks to ORTA's events
(O): What piece of advice would you have for the Turkish-American community?
(HK): In addition to what it means for us, ORTA is also a wonderfully inclusive community where culture-curious individuals can enjoy an introduction into Turkish culture and have fun the way we do! So, whether you are a newcomer or a long-time resident, have ties to the Turkish-American community or not, I invite you to follow ORTA and join their events whenever you have the chance. I believe you would be pleasantly surprised by what you will find, just as we did. I hope to see you there next time!
(O): Thank you for being a loyal member and volunteer for ORTA, and thank you for your contributions to our community. We look forward to continuing seeing you and your family at future ORTA events.
(HK): Thank you and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @fotografkar