Verne Duncan
Encyclopedia
Verne A. Duncan is an American
politician from the state
of Oregon
. As an educator and moderate Republican
, he has become outspoken in protest of policies of his own party he views as extreme.
A former classroom teacher, principal, district superintendent and professor, Duncan has served in the legislatures of two states, Idaho
and Oregon, held the office of Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
, and served as a college dean.
, Duncan is a member of a pioneer Oregon family. His grandfather, S.S. Duncan had been a teacher and one time superintendent of schools for Yamhill County
. His uncle was Leland Duncan, long-time district attorney of Harney County, Oregon
.
As a schoolboy, Duncan had occasion to visit the state Department of Education
on a class trip. When he needed a workspace on which to take down some notes, then-superintendent Rex Putnam
rose from his desk and offered it to the young Duncan. Neither knew the boy would grow up to occupy that desk for fifteen years as superintendent himself.
After completing a public school education including graduation from McMinnville High School
, Duncan served in the United States Army
, remaining active in the reserves, ultimately attaining the rank of Colonel
. Duncan graduated Idaho State College
, earning a B.A.
in 1960, and began a long career in education. He would ultimately earn several graduate degrees, including a M.Ed. in Education Administration from University of Idaho
, a Ph.D.
in Public School Administration from University of Oregon
and an M.B.A. in Labor Management from University of Portland
.
, serving from 1962 to 1965. After his long tenure as Oregon's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Duncan returned to teaching in 1990, serving as dean of the University of Portland’s School of Education until 1996 when he took emeritus professor status. He was appointed the following year by Governor Kitzhaber
to fill a vacancy in the Oregon State Senate
, and was elected to serve a full four-year term in 1998 after defeating Monroe Sweetland
in the November election.
As a politician, Duncan took positions which placed him in the progressive or moderate wing of the Oregon Republican Party
, as were many of his immediate predecessors and contemporaries, including the likes of Tom McCall
, Clay Myers, Bob Packwood
and Mark Hatfield
. He supported the creation of Metro
, voted for Governor Kitzhaber's transportation package, and was on record as pro-choice
and in favor of nondiscrimination laws for gays, prompting the Willamette Week
to characterize him as "a moderate's moderate," in their 1998 editorial endorsement.
In a 2000 interview with The Oregonian
, Duncan admitted to having voted personally for both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, refusing to give particulars, but indicating that he was an enthusiastic supporter of George H. W. Bush
but not his son
. He also told the reporter that the Republicans must become more inclusive and less extreme. "Sometimes it doesn't hurt to lose," he said. "It keeps you humble."
named a new elementary school in Duncan's honor. Duncan lived in Oak Grove
, within the District, and had served as district superintendent.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. As an educator and moderate Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, he has become outspoken in protest of policies of his own party he views as extreme.
A former classroom teacher, principal, district superintendent and professor, Duncan has served in the legislatures of two states, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and Oregon, held the office of Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes referred to as the State Superintendent of Schools, is a constitutional office within the executive branch of the Oregon state government, and acts as administrative officer of the State Board of Education and executive head of the Department of...
, and served as a college dean.
Early life
Born and raised in McMinnvilleMcMinnville, Oregon
McMinnville is the county seat and largest city of Yamhill County, Oregon, United States. According to Oregon Geographic Names, it was named by its founder, William T. Newby , an early immigrant on the Oregon Trail, for his hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee...
, Duncan is a member of a pioneer Oregon family. His grandfather, S.S. Duncan had been a teacher and one time superintendent of schools for Yamhill County
Yamhill County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile . There were 30,270...
. His uncle was Leland Duncan, long-time district attorney of Harney County, Oregon
Harney County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Malheur National Forest *Malheur National Wildlife Refuge*Ochoco National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,609 people, 3,036 households, and 2,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile...
.
As a schoolboy, Duncan had occasion to visit the state Department of Education
Oregon Department of Education
The Department of Education of the U.S. state of Oregon is responsible for implementation of state policies with respect to public education at the kindergarten through community college level, including academic standards and testing, credentials, and other matters not reserved to the local...
on a class trip. When he needed a workspace on which to take down some notes, then-superintendent Rex Putnam
Rex Putnam
Rex Putnam was an American educator from the state of Oregon. A former classroom teacher and district superintendent, Putnam served as Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction for nearly 25 years, the longest-serving state school superintendent in Oregon history...
rose from his desk and offered it to the young Duncan. Neither knew the boy would grow up to occupy that desk for fifteen years as superintendent himself.
After completing a public school education including graduation from McMinnville High School
McMinnville High School
McMinnville High School is a public high school located in McMinnville, Oregon, United States.-History:Prior to 1876, high school students in the McMinnville attended school at McMinnville College. From 1876 to 1910, McMinnville offered a two-year high school education through the Cook School...
, Duncan served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, remaining active in the reserves, ultimately attaining the rank of Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. Duncan graduated Idaho State College
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
, earning a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1960, and began a long career in education. He would ultimately earn several graduate degrees, including a M.Ed. in Education Administration from University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
, a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Public School Administration from University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
and an M.B.A. in Labor Management from University of Portland
University of Portland
The University of Portland is a private Roman Catholic university located in Portland, Oregon. It is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and is the sister school of the University of Notre Dame. Founded in 1901, UP has a student body of about 3,600 students...
.
Career in education and politics
While still engaging in graduate studies in Idaho, he was elected to the state legislatureIdaho Legislature
The Idaho Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Idaho. It consists of the upper Idaho Senate and the lower Idaho House of Representatives. The Idaho Senate contains 35 Senators, who are elected from 35 districts...
, serving from 1962 to 1965. After his long tenure as Oregon's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Duncan returned to teaching in 1990, serving as dean of the University of Portland’s School of Education until 1996 when he took emeritus professor status. He was appointed the following year by Governor Kitzhaber
John Kitzhaber
John Albert Kitzhaber is the 37th Governor of Oregon. He served as the 35th Governor of Oregon from 1995 to 2003 and became the first person to be elected to the office three times when he was re-elected to a non-consecutive third term in 2010...
to fill a vacancy in the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
, and was elected to serve a full four-year term in 1998 after defeating Monroe Sweetland
Monroe Sweetland
Monroe Mark Sweetland was an American politician in the state of Oregon. A native of the state, he served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly starting in 1953 for a total of ten years. A Democrat, he also twice ran and lost bids to serve as the Oregon Secretary of State and was a...
in the November election.
As a politician, Duncan took positions which placed him in the progressive or moderate wing of the Oregon Republican Party
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
, as were many of his immediate predecessors and contemporaries, including the likes of Tom McCall
Tom McCall
Thomas Lawson McCall was an American politician and journalist in the state of Oregon. A Republican, he was the 30th Governor of Oregon from 1967 to 1975. A native of Massachusetts, he grew up there and in Central Oregon before attending the University of Oregon...
, Clay Myers, Bob Packwood
Bob Packwood
Robert William "Bob" Packwood is a U.S. politician from Oregon and a member of the Republican Party. He resigned from the United States Senate, under threat of expulsion, in 1995 after allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and assault of women emerged.-Early life and career:Packwood was born in...
and Mark Hatfield
Mark Hatfield
Mark Odom Hatfield was an American politician and educator from the state of Oregon. A Republican, he served for 30 years as a United States Senator from Oregon, and also as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee...
. He supported the creation of Metro
Metro (Oregon regional government)
Metro, formerly known as Metropolitan Service District, is the regional governmental agency for the Oregon portion of the Portland metropolitan area...
, voted for Governor Kitzhaber's transportation package, and was on record as pro-choice
Pro-choice
Support for the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-choice movement, a sociopolitical movement supporting the ethical view that a woman should have the legal right to elective abortion, meaning the right to terminate her pregnancy....
and in favor of nondiscrimination laws for gays, prompting the Willamette Week
Willamette Week
Willamette Week is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Portland, Oregon, United States. It features reports on local news, politics, sports, business and culture....
to characterize him as "a moderate's moderate," in their 1998 editorial endorsement.
In a 2000 interview with The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
, Duncan admitted to having voted personally for both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, refusing to give particulars, but indicating that he was an enthusiastic supporter of George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
but not his son
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. He also told the reporter that the Republicans must become more inclusive and less extreme. "Sometimes it doesn't hurt to lose," he said. "It keeps you humble."
Legacy
In 2008, the North Clackamas School DistrictNorth Clackamas School District
The North Clackamas School District is a school district located in the upper middle portion of Clackamas County, Oregon. This district encompasses the communities of Clackamas, Milwaukie, Damascus, Happy Valley, and Carver.-Board:...
named a new elementary school in Duncan's honor. Duncan lived in Oak Grove
Oak Grove, Oregon
Oak Grove is an unincorporated community in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Oak Grove as a census-designated place . The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with...
, within the District, and had served as district superintendent.