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OSU dedicates Tebeau Hall in honor of Salem engineer

Justin Much
Stayton Mail

Scores of attendees turned out Thursday afternoon for the dedication of Oregon State University's newest dormitory, William Tebeau Hall.

The dedication honored the late William "Bill" Tebeau of Salem, a former highway department engineer, educator and family man. Tebeau, who called Salem home since 1956, was the first black man to graduate from OSU, which he did in 1948.

He persevered in his studies despite being denied residence on the campus due to race his freshman year. Tebeau kept in contact with the university throughout his life.

The dedication ceremony contingent included several generations of Tebeau family members, an OSU band, and university and Oregon Department Transportation officials. Speakers included OSU President Edward Ray, Executive Director of University Housing and Dining Services Dan Larson, Associate Director-Diversity Initiatives and Programs Teresita Alvarez Cortez, Vice Provost for Student Affairs Susie Brubaker-Cole and ODOT Deputy Director Paul Mather.

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Tebeau's wife of 62 years, Genevieve, cut the ceremonial ribbon from her wheelchair.

Also addressing the crowd were Tebeau's daughters Janine Tebeau Jemerson and Deni Tebeau.

"This is beyond any of our imaginations," said Deni Tebeau, who said her father carried a deeply humble nature throughout his life, rarely speaking of himself.

Tebeau Jemerson shared her father's humility, relating a time when she asked him an engineering question. She said he took a moment and quietly lit his pipe. Then he said:

"No one challenges you when you are lighting a pipe."

Mather imparted Tebeau's contributions to the highway department, not only as an engineer but as a teacher, leader and mentor to younger engineers. Bill Tebeau was once recognized as the teacher of the year in Oregon while he served as a Chemeketa Community College instructor.

Alvarez Cortez noted that the naming committee read a story in the Statesman Journal in July 2013 about the celebration of life the Tebeau family held for their patriarch, and from that story they knew immediately his name would be appropriate for the hall. She saluted his perseverance in the face of racial bias along with his life of accomplishment.

Brubaker-Cole also saluted Tebeau's humility, accomplishments and referenced the daily motto he shared: "Make it a great day." The provost emphasized "Make" in the motto, noting that not all days are patterned for success, but the mindset a person has to approach life is.

"Mr. Tebeau was and is a role model to all of us who want to live a life of humility and service," she said, adding that his simple motto serves that end. That motto is etched inside the five-story hall, clearly visible as one exits.

"We wanted to have it up there so the students could see it as they go out to classes," said Nancy Raskauskas, a Housing and Dining Services spokeswoman.

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