Much more than a flood - Vanport evolved into PSU Vdnport City, .J wartime housing project dnd site of PSU's first Cdmpus Continued irom page 1 On paper, the school was a " t e m p o r a r y ' ~ extension program, but to the siudents, iaculty and, eventually. to the community, it was "Vanporl College." They began lobbying for permanent status before the first pop quiz had been graded. The average age of those f r e s h ~ n and sophomore students was over 24 years. They were experienced adults who weren't ready to lake "no" for an answer whether it was the Board of Higher Education, the Veterans' Administration, or Congress. Foxholes and Calion Ball, When threats were made to the housing allowance, a subsidy which enabled many students to live in Vanport housing, the ex-GI's broke out their trenching tools and dug foxholes on the campus, vowing to move into them if housing was eliminated. It was not. When Congress discussed a reduction in educational benefits, Van porters sent cartons of cotton snowballs to Washington, D.C., with the message, "Without our educational benefits, we won't have the chance oi a snowball in hell of finishing school." Bul fighting the bureaucracy was child's play compared with saving the school following the devastating Columbia River nood of May 30, 1948. Many Vanporters lost their homes and personal possessions along with most of the college's equipment, books and papers as a wall of water swept the campus away. But within a few weeks, the school reopened at a new location, the old Oregon Shipyards, thanks to the tenacity and resourcefulness of the faculty, administration and students, and leaders from the Portland community who were taking up the fight for Ihe fledgling institution of higher education. Immediately following the Oood, the State Board was told by the chancellor that it might be a good time to eliminate the school altogether, concentrating limited resources on the campuses in Eugene and Corvallis. But in 1949, the State legislature, using a bill drafted by Vanport student John Hakanson, the future president of Clackamas Community College, made Vanporl a permanent l o w e r ~ d i v i s i o n center. "The College That Would Not Die" The college had caught the imaginations of many people. The Christian Science Monitor published a national story about Vanport's post-flood resurrection, dubbing it "The College Thai Would Not Die." U.s. Secretary of labor Maurice Tobin said it as "the most thrilling story" he had ever heard. The national publicity helped establish support for Vanport and contributed to the rebuilding effort. With the exception of the 92 books that were in circulation at the time, the entire college library was wiped out. Within a year, more than 3,500 volumes were in the new college library, nearly half donated by other libraries and individuals, induding author Pearl S. Buck, who autographed the books she sent. Four years after the flood and the move 10 the shipyards site, the school moved again, this time 10 its permanent home in the old Uncoln High School building on the present campus in downtown Portland. More years of struggle would follow beiore a four-year Portland State College became reality in 1955. Ef(orts included contmual lobbying by the college, community and business interests: editorial support from newspapers; and the continued demonstratIon of need. Finally, on February 4, 1955, Portland Stale College was signed into official existence by Govemor Paul Patterson. More than 3,300 students were enrolled al PSC in 1955 and thousands more had attended classes during its; first nine years of operation. Since the first graduating class in 1956, more than 42,000 degrees have been granted and enrollment remains strong. The seeds planted by Steven Epler and the first students and faculty in 1946 had weathered nine years of germination, sending out roots deep into the Portland community, and had begun to grow into the Vigorous urban university of tooay. Obviously, they had chosen fertile ground. All-star event caps Portland State's 40th birthday celebration Question: How often do you celebrate your 40th year? Answer: Only once, so do it right. Portland State's alumni and friends will have the chance to do it right on Friday night, feb. 28, from 8 p.m. to midnight, in the Smith Center Ballroom at the PSU 40th Year A I I ~ S t a r Event. This occasion promises to be the biggest anniversary celebration in Portland State's history with special events and reunions, public recognition of PSU, and, of course, the All-Star Event on Feb. 28. The celebration WIll feature host Paul linnman, from KATU's Two at Four, comedian Brian Bressler, and an a/l·star band of PSU alumni. An auction/ with auctioneer Gene Reynolds, is planned along with special prizes. Tickets for the A I I ~ S t a r Event are available from the PSU Foundation (229-49111 al $15 each. Group' may reserve eight.place tables by callin& early. The Friday nighl party will cap a series of activities including recognition of PSU by government and local media, an exhibit of PSU's history and groundbreaking for the new $7 million School of Business Administration. Several groups have expressed interest in gathering prior to the A I I ~ S t a r Event for reunions. Groups may contact Robert Tayler in Alumni Affairs (229-4948) for reunion space in Smith Center. The All-Star Event will take place in the Ballroom under a canopy o( stars. Ught hors d'oeuvres will be served and a variety of beverages will be available. free covered parking will be available In PSU parking structures. The P5U All-Stars will provide music featuring tunes from the past 40 years, from nostalgia to now, (or listening and dancing. Comedian Brian Bressler will provide a capsule version of PSU's 40 years. February 26 is sure to be remembered as an AU·Star evening at PSU and tickets will be limited. So, dust off your g r e e n ~ a ( \ d ~ w h i t e , call your classmates, and reserve your place al the All-Star Event now. PSU Perspective, Wi",er 1986 I "... 3
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc4NTAz