The Cardinal

Who was Dr. Laura Angst?

Bonnie Sylvester
Assistant Editor

With the old Angst building gone and the new Angst building re-dedicated to Laura Angst, students might wonder just who Dr Laura Angst was.
From the information I found in the Library and from Arden Ainley in the Public Information office, she was a pioneer for women. Five years after she graduated from college the Nineteenth Amendment was passed which allowed women to vote. I tried to imagine what she saw in her years as an instructor here at Skagit Valley College.
She was born in Listowell, Ontario in 1885. Her parents moved her to Chehalis, Washington when she was five. From there she went on to attend and graduate from the University of Washington in 1915 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. She then taught a few years in Adna and Toledo, Lewis County. In 1925 she received a Master’s Degree in Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1932.
Dr. Laura Angst was one of five instructors at the Skagit Valley Junior College located at the Mount Vernon High School. She taught Biology from 1927 until 1947 and was an advisor from 1949-1950. She was the Women’s Club advisor. The 1942 Trail--which was their yearly annual--states, “Laura Angst PH. D. spends most of her time stirring up chemical concoctions and explaining the characteristics of the orthopterus insects. Outside of the lab she devotes much time and effort to the newly organized Women’s Club. Laura Angst also hosted a tea in her home for the club members and women faculty.” The Women’s Club would host different events such as the Tolos, skating parties, and a mothers’ tea. “With a tolo, a skating party, and a mother’s tea highlighting the year, the Women’s Club has added zip to the social life of the school.”

Looking through the 1941 and 1942 annuals, I found mention of a new club called the Konawi club. “To get a first hand translation for the Konawi club motto, LaVerne Swansen and Helen Hedlund journeyed to the Swinomish Reservation last fall where a young college-educated Indian wrote the slogan in the Indian tongue. Konawi is an abbreviated form of the motto, which is to be held secret by the members. The first germ [(seed)] of organization of the new club came at the fall tea given annually by Dr. Angst to acquaint new women students, when a constitution committee and a name committee headed by Shirley Wheeler and Helen Hedlund, respectively, were elected. The constitution is fashioned to stimulate campus life and to promote a spirit of democratic unity among the women students.” The Konawi club replaced the Women’s club.
In 1956 the college was then moved to its present location. The first open building was dedicated to Dr. Laura Angst. The building was used for Science with laboratories, lecture rooms, adult handicapped center and the practical nursing department.
 “I’m not certain why she was originally chosen to be honored,” Dr. Gary Tollefson said. “Other than being an important and respected faculty member.”
On September 15, 2009, a rededication ceremony was held to open the new Science and Health Occupations building. When asked about renaming the new building in honor of Laura Angst, Dr. Tollefson said, “We must remember our history and continue to honor those who played an important role in creating this wonderful institution.”