Alumni Spotlight: Catherine Williams Class of ’56, B.S. in Elementary Education Catherine Williams attended Portland State during an exciting transition. She was originally a student at the Vanport Extension Center, which was initially founded to accommodate returning veterans of World War II. The Center was straining to meet the demands of eager students, and founder Stephen Epler lobbied to convert the school into a four-year institution. Catherine attended the Vanport campus for two years, and when the Center moved to downtown Portland and became the Portland State Extension Center, Catherine moved with it. She had always known that she wanted to be a teacher, and Portland State gave her the opportunity to earn her degree in education without leaving home. Catherine remembers a serious, focused student body comprised of traditional students and returning veterans, and a faculty of inspiring professors that students sought to emulate. She fondly remembers Dr. Epler, who seemed to know every student on campus by name, and Dr. Hoffman, an engaging professor who “acted out history.” Although academics were the top priority at Portland State, Catherine was heavily involved with extracurricular activities on campus. She was president of the campus women’s club, the Vikes (which later became Alpha Phi), worked on the Vanport Vanguard and the Portland State yearbook, participated in the Student Council, cheered on the Vanport football team as a Rally Girl, and still managed to work part-time at Olds, Wortman & King department store. Catherine graduated in 1956 and pursued a career in education, eventually earning her Masters in Guidance Counseling. At Madison High School, she set up a Career Planning Center that was used as a model throughout the state, and traveled nationally and internationally to consult on other Career Planning Centers. Catherine experienced a unique part of Portland State history, transitioning from the Vanport Extension Center to the downtown campus of Portland State. She was a member of Portland State’s first graduating class. Although Portland State was still a new institution, it provided a great foundation for her career in education. “The older I get,” says Catherine, “the more I appreciate being able to be part of the growth of PSU.” Can-can dancers, “Gay Nineties” dance: Cathy Williams (née Bostwick), Joanne Roach, Kay Funnel, Lois Weed.
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