Portland Community College Names Basketball Court in Honor of Harold Williams

Saturday, December 12, 2015

GoLocalPDX Sports Team

Players unveil a plaque dedicated to Harold C. Williams Sr; courtesy of PCC

Fans and family of late Portland Community College board member Harold C. Williams Sr. gathered at the school’s basketball court to honor Williams’ memory and name the court after him.

"My father believed that a man should have the love, respect, and admiration of his family, friends, and peers," said Harold Williams Jr. during the dedication ceremony. "He had those things, and he was an example to the whole community of what a man should be."

Williams Sr. was a long admired and loved figure in North and Northwest Portland with a long activism and advocacy on be half of residents from traditionally underrepresented communities.

He served as a board member from 1991 to 2012. During his term, Williams was active in the process of the passage of PCC’s bond referendum in 1992, which helped boost the college’s standing.

He was also influential in the passage of another bond referendum in 2008, which built the Cascades campus into its current configuration and helped PCC’s Southeast Campus achieve comprehensive status.

"Harold was a force to be reckoned with, and PCC's board of directors misses his tireless community outreach as an ambassador for the college, helping to spread the word about the value of a PCC education and the doors that open because of it," said Deanna Palm, PCC board President.

In 2012, the Oregon Legislature honored Williams’ life and achievements with a special joint resolution in 2012.

"This court, which we name in his honor today, is truly the court that Harold built," said Karin Edwards, the Cascade Campus president. "We owe him so much, and it's fitting that his name is inscribed here to forever remind future generations of the vision and leadership of Mr. Harold C. Williams Sr."

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