Every June, the Economics Department recognizes outstanding graduating seniors and Master's students whose achievements in scholarly values and distinguished performance have earned them these awards.
The Harold Goodhue Vatter Award
Harold Vatter grew up during the Depression and was able to attend college only after he was left an inheritance. Vatter received his BA in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1936. He wanted to join the Abe Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War to fight fascism, but his family offered to send him to Columbia University if he stayed home. Education won out, and Vatter later graduated with an MA in Economics. He got his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1950.
Vatter taught at several Universities before coming to Portland State University in 1965. He taught at PSU until his retirement and passed away in 2000 at the age of 89. Vatter was a pioneer of New Economic History. By integrating economic theory with history, Vatter achieved a level of thinking on par with the greats.
This award honors Harold Vatter who devoted a lifetime of scholarly teaching, research and writing in the field of economic history. The award is intended to recognize an undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in the field of economics and exemplifies his scholarly values.
The 2023 recipients of this prestigious award are Celeste Aiu Taper and Audrey Demeaux.