Notes From Under the Oaks | March 2015
Often when asked to describe what I do, I find myself at a loss for words. When I meet alumni for the first time they will frequently say, “Yes! I know you! You’re the one who sends me emails!” It’s easy to reduce the work of alumni relations to tangible things like “events” and “communication.” Yet, I find those words don’t adequately describe what we do. Our work is a bit mushier— we care about you forever.
The Office of Alumni Relations represents, on behalf of Pacific University, the idea that all former students leave an impact, their connection never diminishes and they will always remain part of our long history.
I’m often struck by the enormity of this responsibility. This charge goes far beyond simply sending email and hosting events. I, along with my fantastic colleagues, greet this responsibility every day with a cup of coffee and a fierce passion for our work and for this great place. Sometimes, when I reach the bottom of my coffee cup and the challenge still feels big, I’ll spend a moment to think about my favorite of Pacific’s three founders who should be an inspiration to us all.
Tabitha Moffatt Brown was born in 1780 and lived an extraordinary life. After the death of her husband she supported her family by teaching. By the time her children were grown, she had already faced and overcome great challenges.
Given this, coupled with the inherently rough nature of the American west, it seems highly unlikely that she would go on to found a university on the Oregon frontier full a decade before statehood and in the last chapter of her life, yet here we are.
Tabitha Moffatt Brown was incredibly resourceful and described as having had legendary pluck as well as deep compassion. She chose to venture west to Oregon at the age of 67. This astoundingly arduous journey included loss of most of her possessions, nearly freezing in a snow storm and enduring near-starvation. Upon arrival in Oregon after Tabitha, who had walked much of the journey, used her entire fortune—a single coin – to purchase a needle and thread, traded some of her remaining clothing for deerskin and set up a business sewing gloves.
The same journey taken by Tabitha created many orphans who had been robbed of their parents by a variety of brutal maladies and traumas. With the help of Rev. Harvey and Emeline Clark, Tabitha launched an orphanage in 1848. Later that year George Atkinson, considered Pacific’s third founder, introduced the concept of an academy. Clark and Atkinson drafted a charter and on September 26, 1849, Tualatin Academy was born along with a provision to start a “collegiate department” that would become Pacific University.
Tabitha passed away in 1858 with her legacy in the history of Pacific University, Oregon and the West securely in place. She is hailed as the Mother of Oregon and the Oregon legislature proclaims she “represents the distinctive pioneer heritage, and the charitable and compassionate nature, of Oregon's people."
I see Tabitha in the whole of Pacific University and specifically in our alumni. Our tenacity, compassion and ambition is evident in our mission and lived through countless actions of our incredible alumni. You not only made a lasting impact on Pacific University, you’ve gone on to impact the world. In any given year the state association for multiple health professions are led by our alumni, our alumni are publishing books, making films, saving lives, teaching students all over the world, leading businesses and making a difference.
What an incredible bunch you are and what an honor it is to serve you! I think Tabitha would be proud that her flock of 30 orphaned children has grown to thousands of alumni worldwide.
I hope you’re proud too.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me to share your story or if there is anything I might do to be of assistance.
Best wishes,
Martha Calus-McLain '03
Director of Alumni Relations