In Memoriam: Susan Hammer

Former PNCA Board of Governors member Susan Hammer passed away on August 26, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. Susan joined the PNCA board in 2011 with the hope of using her experience with higher education to further arts education.

Over the years, she experienced her partner Lee Kelly’s powerful creative practice, his work ethic, and his joy in making art. She wanted to help younger emerging artists have that experience and share their work with the community. Her love for the students, board, and staff of PNCA sustained her interest over the years.

By the time Susan’s service with the Board of Governors came to a close in 2018, she had navigated the school through major periods of change, including chairing the presidential search committee for former PNCA President Don Tuski and leading the Board Development Committee during the college’s transition to the Arlene & Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design. Her ability to serve as a community connector by linking the outside world to PNCA proved instrumental to the college’s success and growth. She will be greatly missed.

Read Susan’s full obituary in The Oregonian.