Willard “Wid” Bleything ’51, OD ’52, MS ’54 earned three degrees from Pacific University on his way to becoming an optometrist. He served in the Air Force and Air Reserves, retiring as a colonel, and he also worked in private practice for many years before eventually returning to Pacific, where he became the dean of the College of Optometry.

After Bernard Brown '49, OD '50 earned a Purple Heart and his way home from the European Theater in World War II, he pursued a lifelong career in optometry with a degree from Pacific University. Later, he helped other veterans follow him into the profession.

Harley Kelley '55 came to Pacific to study journalism, but left with a pre-med major. A surgeon, Kelley was drafted into Vietnam and later returned to the Army after a career in private practice. Today, he volunteers his medical skills in his community and volunteers with World War II veterans on the Honor Flight.

Debbie (Kerlinger) O'Dea '06 found a home at Pacific — one so caring that she strives to create the same experience for other students.

Katey Schultz MFA ’08 is the author of Flashes of War, a compilation of short fiction stories about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Go behind the scenes to learn how she wrote the book and how Pacific’s MFA Program helped.