Yadens Make a Difference

David and Janice Yaden have devoted their careers to making a difference in our state and our world. With a generous gift to the College of Urban and Public Affairs, they are now extending a helping hand to the next generation. The Yaden family has established an endowed scholarship fund to benefit two undergraduate students each year in the college. David and Janice come from hardworking, blue collar, supportive, but poor families. Both native Oregonians, David’s father was an ironworker and Janice’s father was a fisherman in Depoe Bay. Both chose PSU because it was affordable and because they were awarded scholarships. David, BA ’70, and Janice, BA ’66, worked their way through college. Janice worked days as a meter maid and attended classes at night. She and her young son, Kemal, from a previous marriage, struggled to make ends meet.

After Janice and David married in the early 1970s, they had two more sons and began their careers in the Oregon political scene. During his time at PSU, David met a journalist and political analyst named Sam Lubell who had a major influence on his career. After helping Lubell write a third edition of his book, "The Future of American Politics", about the rise of FDR and the Democratic Party, David started his own polling firm. His career has included running the congressional office of Rep. Don Bonker (D-Washington), working for Neil Goldschmidt at both the city and state levels and at the U.S. Department of Transportation, and as the head of the Oregon Department of Energy.

The Yadens left Oregon for one year to work in Czechoslovakia developing environmental programs after the fall of communism. After returning home, David consulted on topics ranging from energy and transportation to higher education, including a major proposal for using the initiative to reform Oregon’s tax system. Although “semi-retired” he does occasional consulting jobs, most recently for regional government Metro. Janice’s career has led her around the globe pursuing her passion for helping women and children. Because she received public assistance as a single mother in Oregon, Janice wanted to help others.

Over the next 20 years, she worked in children’s advocacy positions under Gov. Neil Goldschmidt and Sen. Ron Wyden. As Goldschmidt’s adviser for human resources, Janice helped mold his children’s agenda to keep youth out of trouble by strengthening local nonprofit aid organizations. She also served on the Commission on Children and Families under Gov. Barbara Roberts. Since then, Janice has worked with Mercy Corps, overseeing ground operations in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Sudan. She has just begun an assignment in Lebanon repairing war-damaged areas.

The Yadens feel grateful that Portland State gave them the tools to live their dreams. Their wish is to give such an opportunity to deserving young people in similar circumstances. “It would be greatly fulfilling to us if, years from now, a recipient of our scholarship is writing a similar thank you to PSU and setting up another scholarship to show his or her gratitude,” says David. The Yadens plan to grow the scholarship endowment over the years and have included it in their estate plan.

Dean Lawrence Wallack said, “Wonderful gifts like the Yadens’ open a world of opportunity for our students. Through this generous gift David and Janice will continue to make a difference in our world for generations to come.”