— 3 — In memoriam: Joseph C. Blumel, 1928-2007 Joseph Carlton Blumel, Portland State University’s fourth president, died in Portland April 2, 2007, due to pneumonia and heart failure. His remarkable legacy of institutional service began as an economics instructor in 1957 and culminated as president from 1974 to 1986. Born in Kansas City, Mo., March 3, 1928, President Blumel grew to maturity in Nebraska. At the University of Nebraska, he studied economics, earning a B.S. degree in 1950 and—after three years of Korean War Army service—an M.A. in 1956. He completed a Ph.D. degree in economics at the University of Oregon in 1965. In 1976 the University of Hokkaido awarded him an honorary doctorate (LL.D.) in recognition of his role in promoting international educational exchange. President Blumel came to Portland State only two years after it had been designated as a degree-granting institution. While advancing through the academic ranks, he taught huge classes and performed other duties, notably student advising and program scheduling, and committee service to design curricular programs. For President Blumel and his contemporaries, working under burdensome conditions afforded special insights into the metropolitan area’s higher educational needs. Through long, hard hours of work, he earned his colleagues’ respect, and—in the words of a PSC president—“Joe always does his homework and comes prepared.” Above all, he earned a reputation as a highly gifted and popular classroom teacher. In every respect, his experience well qualified him for a leadership role in PSU’s emergence as a comprehensive research university. When he assumed the presidency in May 1974, Professor Blumel had already served with distinction as acting Economics Department head (1965-67), dean of Undergraduate Studies and associate dean of Faculty (1968-70), and as the first vice president for Academic Affairs (1970-74). During the previous decade, PSU had undergone dramatic growth, but had been concurrently beset by a host of troubles stemming from fiscal crises as well as student—and faculty—unrest. His informed leadership and handson experience brought forth the continuity and stability needed to resolve problems and ensure measured continuation of academic growth and development. Today’s PSU—Oregon’s largest university—through its wide range of undergraduate and graduate offerings, professional programs, and outreach to the metropolitan region and the state as a whole, constitutes a lasting testimonial to President Blumel’s educational vision. In 1961 he married Priscilla Bryant, who devoted enormous amounts of time and energy in assisting him, especially with liaison to the metropolitan area’s wide-ranging cultural and charitable groups. Mrs. Blumel, along with daughters, Carolyn and Christina, and son-in-law Kelvin Wong, granddaughter, Lilia, and Joe’s brother, William, and sister, Jacqueline Shipley, survive him. To President Blumel’s family we extend our heartfelt condolences for their loss. All of us owe him a debt of gratitude for a lifetime of dedicated service that shaped the University that has played an enormous role in our lives. Extended obituaries appeared in The Oregonian on April 3 and April 4, 2007. The late Gordon Dodds, professor of history, set forth President Blumel’s contributions in The College That Would Not Die (Oregon Historical Society Press, 2000). A memorial celebration was held on April 28 at Hoffmann Hall on the campus. Remembrances should be sent to the PSU Foundation, P.O. Box 243, Portland OR 97207. —Victor C. Dahl, Professor Emeritus of History Postscript: I met Joe Blumel on January 2, 1959, the first day of my 31-year PSU career. The History Department lacked office space for its newest appointee, and, therefore, assigned me to a carrel within the Economics Department’s offices, an arrangement that lasted until August 1961. Joe sensed that I needed some mentorship, which he selflessly provided during those early years. (Ironically, we were born in the same year!) Sometimes we debated the relevance of our separate disciplines, but his early-on encouragement and assistance were very helpful. During later years, we occasionally interacted while discharging our responsibilities. Joe recruited me for the Ferdinand Society and AAUP membership, and I enlisted him in RAPS. With pardonable pride, I recall that the faculty elected me to serve on his Advisory Council throughout his presidential years. —Vic Dahl
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