The College That Would Not Die

A brief history of the Vanport Extension Center, a path-breaking college that reemerged from a devastating flood to create a legacy of resilience and higher education in Portland

A Glimpse Into The Life of Vanport College Students (1948) by Oregon State Board of Higher EducationThe Vanport Mosaic

A need for education

After the end of World War II, the G.I. Bill provided funds for returning veterans to attend college. Oregon's colleges and universities were already overcrowded and could not provide appropriate housing for veterans.

"All The Roads Lead To Vanport College" (1948) by Oregon State Board of Higher EducationThe Vanport Mosaic

Vanport College is born

The Vanport Extension Center, known as Vanport College to its faculty and students, opened in 1946, taking advantage of vacant buildings in Vanport to hold classes and house students.

A College Comes to Housing (1946) by Produced by Leonard Delano. From 16mm print courtesy Oregon Historical SocietyThe Vanport Mosaic

Student housing in Vanport

The Veterans’ Village housed over 1,000 residents, including many young families.

Oral history excerpt: Clifford Cole, The U by The Slough (2018) by Vanport MosaicThe Vanport Mosaic

Student life

Watch this excerpt from an interview with Clifford Cole, Vanport College alumnus. This oral history is part of the Vanport Mosaic collection "Lost City, Living Memories: Vanport Through the Voices of Its Residents."

Vanport College Destroyed by The Vanport Flood (1948) by UnknownThe Vanport Mosaic

The Vanport flood

On May 30th, 1948, a devastating flood erased Vanport, killing at least 15 people. The college was destroyed and 18,500 Vanport residents were displaced.

Bill Lemman Oral History: Portland State University's Roots in Vanport (2021) by Vanport Mosaic and Produced by Brian Burke and James BurkeThe Vanport Mosaic

A tragic day

Watch this excerpt from an interview with Bill Lemman, Vanport College alumnus. His ties to the college's legacy continued after the flood. This oral history is part of the Vanport Mosaic collection "Lost City, Living Memories: Vanport Through the Voices of Its Residents."

Vanport College Memorial Plaque (1980) by unknownThe Vanport Mosaic

The college that would not die

After the flood, Vanport College refused to close, becoming known as “The college that would not die." The school was transferred to a downtown campus, eventually becoming Portland State University (PSU). 

Portland State University Vanport Building Grand Opening (2021) by Portland State UniversityThe Vanport Mosaic

The legacy of Vanport College thrives in our memories

In 2021, PSU opened the new Vanport Building and invited the Vanport Mosaic to create a permanent tribute to the historic community.

Vanport Mosaic Installation "The Spirit of Vanport" (2021) by Alex Chiu, Brian Potter Design, Laura Lo Forti, Chisao Hata, and Shalanda SimsThe Vanport Mosaic

The spirit of Vanport lives on

In 2021, former Vanport residents were honored at the opening of the permanent installation at the PSU Vanport Building.

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