Sixty-five years ago, the University of Portland’s commencement exercises took place on Memorial Day, Sunday, May 30, 1948. During the ceremony, University president Rev. Theodore Mehling, C.S.C., announced that the dike surrounding the nearby city of Vanport had broken and Vanport was flooded. Several senior students and a number of commencement guests lived in Vanport, a hastily constructed housing project in North Portland built during World War II to house shipyard workers. To see photos of Vanport and the devastation caused by the flooding, stop by and view a new display created by the University museum in the display case near the computer stations in the Pilot House. The display includes a picture of a water-stained letterman sweater owned by Vanport resident and 1941 graduate Emmett Barrett, whose apartment and belongings were covered in mud. The original flood-damaged letterman sweater is on display in the museum.
The University museum is located in the basement of Shipstad Hall in room 014. Hours are Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and by appointment. All are welcome to visit the museum. Contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038 or piatz@up.edu for more information.