Portland State Magazine Spring 2010

A love of teaching; a life of purpose LIND A HUMMER came from five generations of poverty and started college a handful of times before actually complet– ing a single term. But once the learning started, Hummer could not get enough and sprinted through programs in women's and black studies, graduating in 1998. By 2001 she'd added a master's degree in education, which led to her teaching women's stud– ies at Portland State. Hummer loved teaching and it showed. She became every– one's favorite instrucror as she caught passionately about race, class, gender, and social justice. Students flocked around her after class, following her down the hall-eager ro share one more thought, ask another question, get permission ro invire a roommate, parent, or child to visit class. She created several new courses for the Women's Studies program, including Linda Hummer '98, MS '01, a much-loved instructor of women's studies, passed away from cancer in September. 18 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE SPRING 2010 Gender, Class and Culture and Women, Creativity and Heal– ing. Hummer inspired and mentored-she changed lives. In 2000, when Hummer was jusr 32 years old, she was diag– nosed with breast cancer. She got the call from her docror on the day she received her master's degree. She didn't let this changed reality slow her down. In fact, cancer seemed ro clarify the meaning oflife for Hummer. It came down ro two things- love and purpose. Her life was filled with one and dedicated to the other. Over the next decade she inspired orhers through her passionate teaching and public speaking, while undergoing nearly 100 chemo– therapy treatments. Even though Hummer reluctantly retired from full-time teaching in 2006 in order to focus on her treatment, she contin– ued to share her learning and love oflife with others by speaking at many local colleges and universities. She gave her final talk on September 24, 2009, just two weeks before she died. As always, when she finished speaking the students swarmed around her. ■ TO HONOR HER LEGACY, Linda Hummer's friends, colleagues, and former students have established a scholarship in her name through the PSU Foundation . The Linda C. Hummer Scholar– ship will help students majoring in women's studies at Portland State cover the costs of books and other course materials. To contribute to this or other PSU scholarships, go to www.foundation.pdx.edu/publicgift , or call 503-725-4911 .