On Monday, November 11, 2024 we’ll close the university in honor of Veterans Day as we do every year. We honor Veterans Day to celebrate our students present and past who serve our country in the military.
For many of us, a long weekend following this week’s election is a welcome respite. I hope it will also be an opportunity to reflect on our country and what service and sacrifice mean to you.
PSU was founded in 1946 to serve veterans returning from World War II. I was inspired by one amazing veteran who has touched the lives of PSU students for decades and celebrated his 100th birthday this month. Charlie White, Portland State professor emeritus of history, had his own college path interrupted by that same war. He served as a navigator on a landing ship tank, earning three battle stars in the Pacific theater.
After the war, Charlie returned to Michigan State to finish his bachelor’s before going on to complete a master's in history and political science with distinction and later earned a doctorate.
In 1952, he joined the faculty of what was then the Portland State Extension Center — the same year that the college found its new home in downtown Portland after the devastating Vanport flood. He taught his last class in 2009.
This week, the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and the PSU School of Music & Theater brought a performance to campus: An Iliad. This modern retelling of the Trojan War connected the tales of soldiers of the past with the present. It was followed by a monologue workshop for veterans that was funded through the National Endowment for the Arts.
PSU has more than 650 veteran and military-affiliated students. We honor those students and the 135 veterans working as faculty and staff at PSU for their sacrifices and service.
I am grateful for the leadership of Ron Mansolilli, director of the VRC, which can be found in the Smith Memorial Student Union. While welcoming and supporting veterans — and all other learners — is a guiding commitment of our entire campus, the center serves as a hub for student veterans and Ron and his team work hard to make sure they find a welcome home at Portland State. In addition to supporting the Iliad production and writing workshop, the VRC hosted a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and many of our veterans will be participating in the Veterans Day Parade happening Monday in Northeast Portland.
This academic year, the VRC has been implementing numerous grant-funded initiatives including new upgrades, furniture, career programming and hosting mental health awareness events. They have officially launched their “mind-spa,” a mental health and wellness space that students book out to relax and practice whatever type of self care they need.
I’m wishing all of us a Veterans Day of honor and self care.
Photo caption: Student veterans and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici at an event in on campus in October.