Viking_Yearbook_47

DR. STEPHEN E. EPLER Dr. Stephen E. Epler, who designed Vanpon Extension Center to help vet­ erans utilize educational provisions of the "G. 1. Bill of Rights" and became the school's director when it opened June 17, 1946, is a young man in the field of edu­ cation and a veteran of World War II. Born in Brooklyn, Iowa, on Ocrober 5, 1909, Dr. Epler spent the early years of his life in the Midwest where his father, the Rev. Stephen J. Epler of the Christian Church, held pastorates in several Iowa and Nebraska towns. He took his first degree, an A.B., from Cmner College in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1932, and his Mas­ ter's a year later from University of Ne­ braska. Ten years elapsed before he received his doctOrate from Columbia University. His thesis, "Honorary Degrees," created considerable controversy and was used by Time Magazine as the subject for its lead stdry in its Education section. In the decade between receiving his Master 's and his Doctor's degree, he spent twO years, 1934­ 1936, teaching in Beatrice (Nebraska) high school where he originated six-man football. His book on the game was published in 1938, and he is a permanent member of the rules commi{{ee of the National Federation. At Nmre Dame, Harvard, Yale and other universities, his six-man game is an accepted intramural SpOrt. While teaching in Nebraska, Dr. Epler married Miss Ferne Misner of Lincoln In 1935. They have two children, Stephen M., age 7, and Charlotte, 4. Dr. Epler began work on his Doctor's degree at Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1936. From then until 1940. he studied and worked as pan-time instructOr at the college. and taught sociology at the Nurses Training School, St. Luke's Hospital, New York City. He spent three months of 1940 in WashingtOn, D. C, doing research work as an Administrative Assistant for the Commission of Teacher Education, American Council on Education. When the school term opened that fall, he became Dean of Men at Southern Oregon College, Ash­ land, and in 1943 he completed his doctor's thesis and went into the Navy as Lieut. (jg) Reserve. While in the service, he was stationed at St. Mary's pre-flight school in California and later trans­ ferred to the pre-flight school at Jacksonville. Florida. He was discharged late in 1945. At the beginning of 1946, Dr. Epler returned to the State System of Higher Education as Veteran Counsellor in the General Extension Division at Portland, Oregon. In this position, he had the task of helping hundreds of veterans find a place where they could undertake college work. Since facilities.