An Unlikely Route to Higher Education

Even after maintaining a 3.9 GPA throughout high school, going to college after graduating from Burns Union High was not an option for Norma Paulus. Instead, Paulus worked as a secretary for Harney County, eventually moving to the state’s capital in search of better employment opportunities. After moving to Salem Paulus become a legal secretary to the Chief Justice for the Oregon Supreme Court, Earl C. Latourette. Latourette recognized Paulus’ bright mind and encouraged her to seek a law degree and recommended that she study law at Willamette University’s College of Law. Because Norma did not have a college degree she applied to Willamette’s law school through a special application process. Norma was accepted into the law program and enrolled in 1956, graduating six years later with honors. Following her rise to political prominence, Paulus was conferred with honorary degrees from Whitman College and Linfield College.