Past Tense Vanport Extension Center Becomes Portland State College Seated at Governor Paul Patterson’s right is John Cramer, the first President of Portland State College and to his far right is Stephen Epler, at the signing of legislation on February 14, 1955 making Portland State a four-year college. t took nine years for Vanport Extension Center (VEC) to become Portland State College. There were many political obstacles along the way. In fact, Paul Packer, chancellor of the Oregon State System of Higher Education suggested closing VEC shortly after the 1948 Vanport flood. However, Edgar Smith, state board president, foresaw continued veteran growth and promised to keep the two-year school in operation as long as enrollment remained above 1,000 students. The original intent was for VEC to be a temporary institution to educate returning veterans. While there was much opposition to continuing the school, many strong advocates, including students, faculty, alumni, community members, Portland newspapers, and politicians, fought for its survival. In 1946, the school newspaper Vet’s Extended published a letter written by student council member Richard Miegs proposing that VEC become a permanent institution. Early on, Richard Neuberger, journalist and Oregon state senator advocated for a four-year college in Portland. John Hakanson, a former Vanport student, led a successful campaign to get legislation passed to establish a permanent two-year junior college in Portland and purchase a building. Governor Douglas McKay authorized the purchase of the old Lincoln High School in the Park Blocks in 1949. Classes began there in 1952 after remodeling, with the school named Portland State Extension Center, although students prematurely began calling it Portland State College. In 1952, the Oregon Board of Higher Education commissioned a consultant’s report that recommended expanded teacher training, including the establishment of a program at Portland State to address the upcoming critical shortage of teachers. This prompted Stephen Epler to write a proposal for a four-year college in Portland, and two legislative sessions later, Governor Paul Patterson signed House Bill 27 granting four-year college status to Portland State on February 14, 1955. Students were elated that they could now obtain a bachelor’s degree at Portland State College, rather than transfer to other higher education institutions. --Mary Brannan 3 I
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