Les AuCoin Hall Dedicated for Renowned Alumnus
The celebration of Pacific University’s 175th anniversary began with the recognition of one of the university’s most distinguished alumni.
Former United States Congressman Les AuCoin ’69, Hon. ’78, was be honored with the formal dedication of Les AuCoin Hall on Pacific’s Forest Grove Campus on Friday, Sept. 27.
A reception inside Les AuCoin Hall followed the ceremony, where attendees had the opportunity to tour the building and view storytelling displays chronicling AuCoin’s legacy of public service.
A 1969 alumnus of Pacific, AuCoin enrolled at Pacific in 1960 and attended for one year before enlisting in the Army. After completing his service, AuCoin returned to Pacific where he served as the university’s public information office while simultaneously completing his undergraduate degree in journalism.
Upon entering politics, AuCoin served two terms in the Oregon House of Representatives, including one term as majority leader, before serving nine terms in Congress representing Oregon’s First Congressional District. He was the first Democrat to win the seat, which has been held by Democrats ever since.
Speakers at the dedication ceremony included AuCoin, his wife, Sue, and their children, Kelly and Stacy. Keynote speakers included former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts, Stephen Reno, former Southern Oregon University President and Chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire; and Cheryle Kennedy, chair of the Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
The ceremony began with a drum ceremony performed by members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, recognizing AuCoin’s role in helping the tribe regain its official status in early 1980s.
During the reception, attendees interacted with student groups that promote civic engagement, diversity and multiculturalism. They also were able to view a storytelling display chronicling AuCoin’s career and a mural created by noted Indigenous artist, curator and writer Steph Littlebird.
Les AuCoin Hall, opened in 1967, was originally known as the Harvey W. Scott Memorial Library and served as the university library until 2005. The building was temporarily renamed Pacific Hall in 2022. The renaming to Les AuCoin Hall is supported by the descendants of Pacific’s first alumnus, for whom the building was originally named.
Les AuCoin Hall recently underwent a $10.5 million renovation, adding new classrooms and computer labs, and providing critical seismic and accessibility upgrades. The building houses offices for the Center for Languages and International Collaboration (CLIC), the Student Multicultural Center, the Center for Gender Equity, the McCall Center for Civic Engagement, and the Academic and Career Advising Center. It is also the longtime home of the Kathrin Cawein Gallery of Art.