GSE Traces its Roots to PSU Extension Center
Dr. Spalding was a former superintendent of Portland Public Schools and knew firsthand about post-World War II teacher shortages. He was also heavily involved with the state legislature and worked to gain bachelor's and master's degree status for teacher education, and he advanced the cause for parallel degrees in other academic areas at Portland State College. Dr. Spalding's efforts were also directed on-campus, where he promoted teacher education as a "collegewide" priority. This collaboration with other Portland State academic departments has been the key to success for GSE graduates, especially at the secondary level. People still remember Dr. Spalding fondly today. "Willard Spalding was an outstanding teacher, administrator, and leader," says Steve Brannan, professor emeritus of the GSE. |
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Who was the first dean of the Graduate School of Education? That's not a simple question. In the beginning, there were no deans, schools, or colleges. Housed in 1952 in the former Lincoln High School (now Lincoln Hall), the GSE was the Portland State Extension Center and unable to grant bachelors' degrees. In 1955, the Extension Center became Portland State College and established four academic divisions: humanities, science and mathematics, social science, and education. The title of "dean" was not established until 1965. Willard B. Spalding, EdD, chaired the Education Division from 1955 to 1964. Initially, Dr. Spalding had extensive responsibilities, as he oversaw elementary and secondary education, art education, music education, and physical education.