Notable Alumni of Portland State University
Portland State University (PSU), a public research university located in Portland, Oregon, has a rich history and a diverse alumni base. Established in 1946 as the Vanport Extension Center to serve World War II veterans, PSU evolved into a four-year college and achieved university status in 1969. Over the decades, it has grown into a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate degrees in 123 fields and postgraduate degrees in 117 fields. With a strong emphasis on applied, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged scholarship, PSU has produced notable alumni across various fields, including arts, sciences, business, academia, politics, and sports. This article highlights some of the university's most accomplished graduates.
A Foundation of Service and Growth
Founded by Stephen Edward Epler, the Vanport Extension Center aimed to meet the higher education demands of returning World War II veterans utilizing the G.I. Bill. The first classes were held in the Vanport Junior High School, earning it the nickname "The U by the Slough." The initial summer session had 221 students, with tuition and fees at $50. By the fall term of 1946, over 1,410 students had registered.
The institution underwent several name changes, becoming the Portland State Extension Center and later Portland State College in 1955, marking its transition into a four-year degree-granting institution. In 1993, PSU introduced the interdisciplinary general education program known as University Studies, which has received recognition from U.S. News & World Report.
Arts and Culture
PSU's alumni have made significant contributions to the arts and culture. Carolyn Davidson, an alumnus of the university's visual arts department, invented the Nike swoosh while she was a student there. Writers such as Francisco Laguna Correa, poets Michael Dickman and John Sibley Williams, and novelists Deborah J. Ross and David James Duncan have also emerged from PSU. Mike Richardson, publisher and founder of Dark Horse Comics, is another notable alumnus.
Performing Arts and Entertainment
The university's contribution to performing arts and entertainment include actors Mark Dacascos and Terence Knox, four-time Grammy Award-winning jazz musician Esperanza Spalding, and film composer Rob Simonsen. Jack Ely, guitarist of The Kingsmen, is also an alumnus. Emmy-winning writer, stand-up comedian, and fantasy draft expert Ian Karmel also attended PSU.
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Other notable figures in the arts include:
- Holly Andres: Photographer known for her shows "Short Street" and "Sparrow Lane."
- Damali Ayo: Performance artist and writer.
- Walt Curtis: Poet and writer.
- Ann Gardner: Visual artist working with glass.
- Larry Harvey: Co-founder of the Burning Man festival.
- Travis Knight: Animator and CEO of Laika.
- Jack Ohman: Editorial cartoonist.
- Laura Ross-Paul: Glass artist.
- Howard Ben Tré: Sculptor known for his large-scale cast glass sculptures.
- Celeste West: Librarian, publisher, and feminist writer.
Sciences and Academia
Portland State has produced many academics across the sciences and humanities. Lee D. Baker is a cultural anthropologist and professor at Duke University, while Michael Kazin is a historian and professor at Georgetown University. Dali Yang serves as a professor of political science at the University of Chicago, and Thomas Talbott is a professor of philosophy at Willamette University. Hans G. Furth was a developmental psychologist known for his work on Piaget's theories.
In the sciences, PSU's alumni include computer scientist and Turing Award winner Ivan Sutherland, theoretical physicist Mohammad Aslam Khan Khalil, autism researcher Paul Shattuck, and Antarctic researcher Jill Mikucki.
Business and Entrepreneurship
The university's alumni have also achieved success in the business world. Norm Winningstad is a businessman and engineer, D. Scott Davis is the CEO of United Parcel Service, and Judi Hofer is the executive CEO of The May Department Stores Company. Other notable business figures include Mike Erickson, C. Norm Winningstad, and Darren T. Kimura, Executive Chief Officer, Keahole Solar Power, LLC. Steven Smith, the founder of Tazo Tea and Stash Tea, also attended PSU. Ashley Gjøvik is an Apple whistleblower.
Politics and Public Service
Portland State University has a strong tradition of producing leaders in politics and public service. Casten Nemra, the seventh president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Arnold I. Palacios the 12th Lt. Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, are both alumni. Betty Roberts, the first woman to serve on the Oregon Supreme Court, and Margaret Carter, the first African American woman elected to the Oregon House of Representatives, are also graduates of the university.
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Other notable figures in politics and public service include:
- Anna J. Brown: Federal Judge.
- Paul De Muniz: Former Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court.
- Joseph LeBaron: American diplomat.
- Marisa Lino: American diplomat.
- Charles Moose: Police chief in charge of combating 2002 D.C. sniper attacks.
- Avel Gordly: Oregon State Senator and community activist.
- Rod Monroe: Oregon State Senator.
- Martha Schrader: Marion County Commissioner.
- Chip Shields: Oregon State Representative.
- Rob Wagner: Oregon State Senator.
- Jeff Barker: Oregon State Representative.
- Rick Bauman: Oregon State Representative.
- Deborah Boone: Oregon State Representative.
- Scott Bruun: Oregon State Representative.
- Al Densmore: Oregon State Representative.
- Richard Devlin: Oregon State Senator.
- Margaret Doherty: Oregon State Representative.
- Larry Galizio: California Community Colleges Chancellor
- Joe Gallegos: Oregon State Representative.
- Diego Hernandez: Oregon State Representative.
- Nick Kahl: Oregon State Representative.
- Teresa Alonso Leon: Oregon State Representative.
- Thomas A. Lockhart: Wyoming State Representative.
- Jim Moeller: Washington State Representative.
- Ron Packard: U.S. Representative for California's 43rd District.
- Jeff Starr: Oregon State Representative.
- Carolyn Tomei: Oregon State Representative.
- Matt Wand: Oregon State Representative.
Athletics
Portland State University's athletic teams, the Vikings, have also produced notable alumni. Football players Tony Curtis, Super Bowl XLVIII Champion DeShawn Shead, Julius Thomas, two-time Super Bowl Champion Clint Didier, Dave Stief, and Neil Lomax all attended PSU. Other notable athletes include:
- Greg Bodiford: NFL player.
- Kameron Canaday: NFL player.
- Adam Hayward: NFL player.
- Darick Holmes: NFL player.
- Evan Jager: Olympic steeplechase runner.
- Dave Jansen: Mixed martial artist.
- Joe Kraemer: NFL player.
- Jeff Lahti: MLB player.
- Kenny Moore: Olympic marathoner.
- Steve Olin: MLB player.
- Mike Pierce: Mixed martial artist.
- Gordon Riese: MLB player.
- Rick Sanders: Olympic wrestler.
- Jordan Senn: NFL player.
Other Notable Alumni
PSU's diverse alumni base includes individuals who have made significant contributions in various other fields. Bruce Abbott is a photographer, and Cal Barnes is an actor and filmmaker. Karl Glusman is an actor, and Katie Harman is a former Miss America. Other notable alumni include:
- Mitchell S. Jackson: Author.
- Bonnie McCay: Professor of Human Ecology
- David McDowall: Sociologist and criminologist
- Roberta L. Rudnick: Geochemist
- Sergio Palleroni: Architect and professor
- Ashley Gjøvik: Apple whistleblower
- Paul Popham: AIDS Activist
- John Sibley Williams: Poet
- Robideau: American Indian activist
- Aminé: Rapper
- Ken Butler: Musician and artist
- Dave Carter: Musician
- Tracy Grammer: Musician
- Eric Funk: Composer
- Haley Heynderickx: Musician
- Lawrence Leighton Smith: Conductor
- Anne Wilson: Musician (Heart)
- Nancy Wilson: Musician (Heart)
- Charles Cross: Writer
- Anne Balleck: Historian
- Amos Yong: Theologian
- Tara Bahrampour: Journalist
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