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The Gift of Fir Acres
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'An Improbable Gift-Sale'
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Morgan S. Odell, the College's president from 1942 to 1960, called it "an improbable gift-sale." "The truth is," remarks President Michael Mooney, "without Aaron Frank's help at that moment in time, Lewis & Clark college might not exist today." It all came about through Frank's love of education and his friendship with certain college officials, according to Aaron's son, Gerry Frank. In 1934, when the Depression threatened to strike a death blow to tiny Albany College, trustees decided to offer classes in Portland. First operating out of he Allen Building at Southeast Twelfth Street and Salmon Avenue, the Portland program quickly outgrew its quarters. Aaron Frank, head of Meier & Frank department store in Portland, recommended leasing Temple Beth Israel's three-story Synagogue School at Southwest 13th and Main Street. The wise advice allowed the College to expand its enrollment and curriculum and to search for a new campus and a new president. Presbyterian leaders, trustees and college officials explored several locations and obtained an option on 20-acres on Mt. Tabor, But they raised only $20,000 of the necessary $32,000 and pave up the option, May 23, 1941. Trustees C. W. Platt and Herbert Templeton approached Frank, who suggested they look at property in southwest Portland. "I wonder if Aaron means the Fir Acres Estate his brother, Lloyd, developed in 1924 at a cost of $13 million," they mused. Platt paid a return visit to Frank with the College's Board Chair Harry W. Bruck. "All we feel we can raise is $50,000," they told Frank. To their surprise, Frank accepted the offer on the condition the College secure a strong president. Trustees recruited Morgan S. Odell from Occidental College. He hesitated taking the job until he saw the estate. "There, a thousand feet to the west up over the lawns, reflecting pool and gardens, was the majestic Manor House. And back of us 50 miles to the east was the shining glory of snowcapped Mt. Hood. It was a sight to take one's breath and to grip one's vitals," Odell later wrote. "On June 28, when Aaron Frank called me to ask how the funds were coming in, I could only report that we had $33,000 in cash and $15,000 in pledges," Odell said. Another friend of the College, Ancil Payne, former president of King Broadcasting who was general manager of KGW in Portland at the time, recalls that George Mead, the College's attorney, and Odell visited Frank in his heavily wooded office, They asked for continuance (more time) or forgiveness (reduced amount), Frank reminded them he had an obligation to the estate of his brothers family." Frank told President Odell he could have the estate for $46,000 if he could raise the cash by the June 30. 1942, deadline. He then opened the center drawer of his chest, took out his checkbook and actually wrote a check for the $4,O0O difference, Payne recounts. "He gave the College a tremendous gift," Odell obtained a 90-day note for $13,000 from E.B. McNaughton of First National Bank. "We phoned Mr. Frank that we had the money, called at his office on June 30 with a certified check for $46,000, received the deed to Fir Acres and promptly recorded it at the County Courthouse," Odell recalled. "We had a campus at last, and of such quality, that suddenly little Albany College had new stature." "Edna Frank Holmes "expressed her joy in seeing her former beloved home become a college for the education of youth," according to Odell. "Thus, began a warm and generous interest in the College, which brought her onto the Board of Trustees and provided help in the restoration the Manor House and gardens.' |
"The
future never looked darker for the business of U.S. higher
education," wrote Time Magazine, Sept, 28, 1942. "So the
obstinately optimistic citizens of Portland, Ore., thought
it was just the time to launch little Albany College on a
bigger career with a now name, now president, and a
fantastically lush new campus- The new college owes its life
to a real-estate bargain," Time emphasized.