NEWS

OSU names hall for late Salem engineer William Tebeau

Justin Much
Stayton Mail
William Tebeau, the first black male graduate of Oregon State University. He went on to become a civil engineer with the state. The photo is part of the show "Perseverance: Black Pioneers in Early Oregon" at the Oregon Historical Society.

Oregon State University in Corvallis will be holding a dedication ceremony for its newest residence dormitory, "William Tebeau Hall," at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.

Originally from Baker City, William "Bill" Tebeau and his wife Genevieve moved to Salem in 1956 where they raised their seven children. He worked for Oregon Department of Transportation for 36 years. Genevieve still resides in Salem.

The hall is scheduled to open this coming semester and is located just east of the Kerr Administration Building. Tebeau, who died July 5, 2013 at the age of 87, was admitted to Oregon State College in 1943 but was refused a housing assignment because of his race.

The university reported that he took a job in a fraternity tending the furnace in exchange for a room in the basement and set out in pursuit of an engineering degree, which he received in 1948. He subsequently lived a notable life as an engineer, pioneer and educator.

As an educator, Tebeau taught math, economics, thermal dynamics, physics, chemistry, and engineering — among other courses. He was named Chemeketa's Teacher of the Year in 1970 when he was a part-time instructor.

He also worked with the Association of Engineering Employees to write a study guide for state examinations for engineering aide and highway engineering positions. In 1971 he was named Oregon State Employees Association's Employee of the Year.

This 2008 file image shows Bill Tebeau with his wife, Genevieve. They met in 1950, two years after graduating from Oregon State College. He was the first male African-American student to graduate from the school.
 KOBBI R. BLAIR / Statesman Journal file
Bill Tebeau met his wife, Genevieve, in 1950, two years
after graduating from Oregon State College. He was the first male African-American student to graduate from the school.

"Bill Tebeau did not let this act of bias keep him from his goals, and he went on to a tremendously successful career – staying connected to his alma mater for his entire life," said Dan Larson, executive director of University Housing and Dining Services at OSU.

At his celebration of life memorial in July 2013, Tebeau's family remembered fondly their patriarch's mantra: "Make it a great day." This fall they are grateful for OSU's dedication in his name.

"Daddy was determined to attend OSU because he wanted to become an engineer," said Cheri Tebeau, his daughter. "Some folks helped him find a place to live in the basement of a fraternity, tending furnace and also waiting tables in exchange for his room.

"In 1948, he became the first African American male to graduate from the University," she added. "This is such a very cool, full-circle thing that OSU is doing."

jmuch@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 769-6338, cell (503) 508-8157 or follow at twitter.com/justinmuch