PASTTENSE School of Social Work established in 1960 The story of the beginning of the School of Social Work is, at its heart, the story of the incredible persistence of three women: Katharine Clark, director of Family Counseling Services; Elizabeth Goddard, director of Training, Public Welfare Bureau; and Helen Catlin, of the Boys and Girls Aid Society, who, along with the American Association of Social Workers (later the National Association of Social Workers), campaigned tirelessly from 1932 until the school was finally established in 1960. Their years of work began to get response from the state in 1958, when the Oregon State System of Higher Education (OSSHE) appointed the Sherbourne Committee to look into the need for a school of social work. In 1959 the Oregon Legislature directed OSSHE to create a graduate school of social work. In June 1960, OSSHE asked Portland State College to prepare a proposal for a graduate school of social work; this the Hoffmann Committee accomplished by September 1960. In January 1961, legislation was passed authorizing funding for the school, and by October 1961 Gordon Hearn had been appointed as its first dean. When the first class of 20 students was admitted in 1962 there were five faculty members: Rose Thomas, Ruth Stevens, Gordon Hearn, Norris Class, and Frank Miles. Patricia Byrd served as librarian and Virginia Lubkisher was the secretary. Rose Thomas was possibly the first African American woman faculty member tenured at Portland State. The next year Jim Breedlove joined the faculty. Art Emlen began the research thrust of the school with the founding of the Regional Research Institute for Human Services in 1972. By the third year, students from throughout the country were attracted to the program because PSU did not charge out-of-state tuition. By the time Bernard “Ricky” Ross arrived as the second dean in 1977, the School of Social Work was well established. Past Tense features glimpses into Portland State’s history. To submit a story (or an idea for one), email the RAPS History Preservation Committee at raps@pdx.edu. Seated: Barbara Nichols, volunteer worker; Rose Thomas, faculty; Ruth Stevens, faculty; Patricia Byrd, librarian; Virginia Lebksher, secretary. Back row: Gordon Hearn, faculty; Norris Class, faculty; Frank Miles, faculty.
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