CWU to dedicate two facilities to Dorothy Purser with upcoming ceremony

In 1974, the dedication and persistence of Dorothy Purser led to the inception of Central Washington University’s nationally acclaimed paramedicine program.

On September 27, two new CWU facilities will be dedicated to her memory, and all that she stood for within the community.

Carolyn Booth, former CWU professor of paramedicine and one of Purser’s close collaborators during her time at the university, believes the impact of Purser’s approach to teaching and nurturing the professionals of tomorrow cannot be understated.

“Her impact is so far-reaching, because every student that graduated was formed and molded by the Dorothy Purser standard of training and education,” Booth said. “They’ve all gone on to train students and interns of their own, and to support CWU, too.”

Purser originally joined the CWU faculty in 1957 as an aspiring dance instructor, with an emphasis on ballroom and folk. Circumstances led her to change directions, and she soon shifted her focus to athletics, paramedicine, and community health. Purser spearheaded the creation of Washington’s first high school women’s basketball tournament, taught local children to swim, and made it her personal goal to teach as many first aid classes as she could around Kittitas county.

“She taught hundreds of first aid classes all over the countryside,” Booth said. “Her community meant everything to her, so she did everything she could to keep it healthy and provide for its future.”

By the time Purser passed away in 2002, she was the most senior faculty member at CWU, having spent 47 years sharing her passion for service with legions of students. Purser Hall, the on-campus hub for the paramedicine program she founded, was dedicated to her in 2009.

Purser’s spirit continues to guide the CWU paramedicine program, which will commemorate her service on Friday, September 27, at 1:30 p.m. by dedicating two classrooms in the Health Sciences building as the Purser Training Center. Later in the day, at 3 p.m., Purser Hall will be rededicated as the Purser Annex to reflect its inclusion in the newly remodeled Nicholson Pavilion.