As I watch the red, yellow and golden leaves of autumn fall gently on the Gordon Aadland Esplanade this October morning, I sense the presence of Gordon Aadland. His presence reminds me of the thousands of students, faculty and staff who have graced the halls of our buildings and walked this very path to and from classes. Gordon was our sage, our storyteller, our elder who kept stories alive.
We do have a beautiful campus but as Gordon often said, it is not the bricks and mortar that make us who we are; our people are our real heart and soul.
Charles Littel founded Centralia College in 1925. Under the auspices of the dean of the School of Education of the University of Washington, Charles Littel, Margaret Corbet Arthur Ehret and five others demonstrated the quality needed to be the first college faculty. The quality of the faculty and curriculum were evaluated every year during a day of “inspection” by the dean. Quality faculty and instruction have been our hallmark ever since.
Charles Littel’s passion brought Centralia College into existence, but it was the dedication, leadership and belief in the vision and mission by Margaret Corbet, Katherine Kemp and the faculty that kept the doors open during the lean years of the Great Depression and World War II. Faculty and staff took IOUs instead of salary, and were granted payments of $5 to $20 when needed, to keep food on the table; yet the college doors never closed. And during the war, when the student body was reduced to seven women graduates, still, the doors never closed.
One of Gordon’s many dreams was to see a statue of these two courageous women who dedicated their lives to Centralia College erected on the campus. Gordon, the statue is being realized and will always remind us of their stories. Thank you for that vision.
Other individuals, such as Clarence Robbins, chairman of a school district committee, stepped up during the 1960s, when the state Legislature was actively planning to move the college to Olympia, to lead the effort to pass a levy that would build the college’s first student center and library. The levy passed with the highest approval rating of any levy up to that time. It was a show of support that led to keeping the college in Centralia.
Many of us were affected by Gordon Aadland, and none more so than a young waitress at Shari’s Restaurant. Gordon would go into the restaurant to have coffee with his friend Denny Waller, who served many years as the publisher of The Chronicle, and would always ask, “Janet, have you got your degree yet?” Janet Reaume now has her associate degree from Centralia College and her bachelor’s from The Evergreen State College. Gordon was delighted when I hired her as the executive assistant to the president. Thank you, Gordon!
Another employee of the college also benefited from Gordon’s wisdom and counsel. Don Frey took over the Public Information Office that Gordon started during his tenure at the college. When the two conspired together, they always got what they wanted. And I am sure neither former president Hank Kirk nor myself ever knew which to thank or which to blame. They were a great team.
Gordon’s real legacy is in his stories about the students of Centralia College. The Distinguished Alumnus Program that Gordon helped initiate recognizes one individual each year who has gone on to excel in his or her profession. Many individuals such as Patti Morton, America’s first female special agent and security officer; Dr. Jerris Hedges, who standardized emergency room practices across the nation; and Laura Dowling, who left a successful career in public policy to become a great floral designer and floral arranger for the White House, are examples of Centralia College students who have made a difference in our world.
Yet Gordon always reminded us of many others who have made contributions, men like Lowell Wood, leader of the most successful capital campaign in college history, and the Smith brothers – Orin (a distinguished alum), Michael and Kevin, who probably all got away with more than they should have during their time at Centralia College but have gone on to achieve great things and who are noted for “giving back” to their college and their community.
Angela Meade a distinguished alum and a rising opera star, and Charlie Albright, an internationally famed pianist, were among Gordon’s favorites. He wanted them both to come back to their roots and perform together for the community – perhaps in his honor, someday they will.
Every fall the golden leaves will fall on the Gordon Aadland Esplanade and we will remember his stories of those that have come before. And every spring new leaves will grow on the trees lining the Esplanade and we will think of all those whose stories have yet to be told.
Please take a moment to sit on a bench on the Gordon Aadland Esplanade and watch the students hurrying to and from class. Remember Gordon’s story and don’t be surprised if you get a little chill when that special student walks by and Gordon says, that will be one to remember.
A scholarship endowment has been established in Gordon Aadland’s name to help aspiring students now and in the future. Orin Smith has provided the initial gift but please consider giving to the endowment so that we can make it a full tuition scholarship to honor our friend and colleague Gordon Aadland. Thank you.
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James Walton is the president of Centralia College.
