Portland State Magazine Fall 2021

FALL 2021 // 27 Photos by Jim Lommasson ’72 Stories as told to Suzanne Pardington Effros & Katy Swordfisk T o understand Portland State, you should know this: It was built by and for soldiers returning from war.They were our first students and teachers. And 75 years later, they remain an important part of the University. Our emphasis on service, embrace of nontraditional students and spirit of innovation all started with the World War II veterans who created PSU from nothing but makeshift classrooms and a desire to serve their community. They were mostly older, often had families, and saw PSU as a “people’s college,” giving “all those who want it the kind of training they want as cheaply and conveniently as possible.” Hundreds of veterans continue to enroll at PSU each year and though it hasn’t always been easy, they’ve been as resourceful as those first World War II vets in finding ways to support one another.This fall, the Veterans Resource Center—a national model for student support conceived at PSU—moves into expanded offices in Smith Memorial Student Center. To mark this anniversary year, we asked six alumni and faculty veterans to share their experiences for the University’s oral history project and have their portraits taken by award- winning photographer Jim Lommasson ’72. We hope their stories provide new perspectives on our shared history. Once a WARRIOR PORTRAITS OF PSU VETERANS