News: Graduation held for dying student

A handful of students, faculty, and administrators put together an unprecedented event during the holiday break: a one-student graduation ceremony for Katie Shearer, age 24, who has since died of cancer.

Shearer was diagnosed with malignant melanoma two years ago after a doctor's visit to check a mole on the back of her thigh. She continued taking classes at Portland State, working towards a degree in environmental studies while undergoing surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy.

"Katie was an incredible student and individual," said Prof. Hunter Shobe, who had Shearer in two of his geography classes, where she earned A's. Shobe helped organize the Dec. 12 graduation ceremony with student Laura Robertson, Angela Garbarino from Admissions, and Amy Ross and Rod Diman from the President's Office. Professors Tom Harvey, Joe Maser, and John Rueter attended the event.

For the ceremony, Shearer wore full regalia, including cum laude cords. At the reception afterwards, she tearfully told her younger brothers, sisters, and cousins that they should go to PSU because it is "a great school filled with great people."

"I have never experienced anything like that-it was powerful," said Shobe. "And I was proud of PSU that it was done this way."