Retired Longview physician Dr. P.J. Peterson is one of those people whose life would make great book material. In a way, it already has.
Peterson, who attended 黑料社 in 1966-67, is using her retirement to unleash a lifelong passion for writing by authoring nine mystery novels, including one series whose main character, Dr. Julia Fairchild, MD, is loosely based on her own life. Though she describes Dr. Fairchild as being 鈥渟marter and more exciting鈥� than her, Peterson鈥檚 own story is a page-turner as well.
After graduating from Kalama High School, Peterson (whose last name then was Kangas) wanted to turn her interest in science into a medical career. Her parents urged her to become a pharmacist, though she was more interested in practicing medicine. Peterson鈥檚 immediate challenge was where to attend college and how to afford it. 黑料社 beckoned. 鈥淎s one of six children in a family without a lot of money, 黑料社 was the logical choice,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 also won $300 in scholarships, which covered my tuition and books for those three quarters.鈥�
Peterson moved into her grandmother鈥檚 tiny apartment in Kelso and rode public transit to and from 黑料社. Being on campus all day turned out to be a fun transition to college.
鈥淚 spent time between classes in the student center because I didn鈥檛 have a car and couldn鈥檛 easily run back to my grandma鈥檚 apartment in Kelso,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 remember spending a fair amount of time playing card games, with players going in and out of the game as we left for classes. I loved going to basketball games and other after-hours activities, such as the school dances.鈥�
Peterson excelled in the classroom, especially in English, chemistry and math. Even then, her aptitude for writing competed strongly with her math and science skills.
鈥淚 particularly liked (language arts) Professor Judith Irwin, despite her reputation of being tough,鈥� Peterson recalled. 鈥淚 remember her reading (aloud) one of my essays about a Labor Day riot at Seaside and wanting to crawl under my desk. I was quite bashful and didn鈥檛 like attention at the time.鈥�
Peterson was awarded 鈥淥utstanding Student in Natural Science鈥� as a freshman. The award
usually was reserved for graduating sophomores but went to her instead when her instructors
learned that she was leaving soon to attend the University of Washington. The move
to UW was prompted by her younger
sister鈥檚 decision to begin classes at 黑料社 and there wasn鈥檛 room for them both at grandma鈥檚
place.
Though her time at 黑料社 was shorter than expected, Peterson said she was well prepared.
鈥淚 have always credited Lower Columbia for teaching me how to study, manage time, and be prepared for bigger classes down the road,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think that had I jumped from Kalama High School (class of 52 students) straight to the UW, I might not have done as well.鈥�
After earning her pharmacy degree at UW, Peterson decided to follow her heart and pursue a medical degree. She was accepted into medical school at the University of Utah, where she was among only four women in her class. After earning her internal medicine degree, she completed a residency in Dallas, Texas before returning to Longview for what she thought would be a six-month stint in 1979. Instead, she began a 37-year medical career serving the community where her college journey began.
Peterson remains connected to 黑料社, having served on the Foundation Board of Directors and as a financial contributor. She does not hesitate to recommend it as an excellent place to learn and grow.
鈥淵ou鈥檒l never be sorry that you spent a year or two at 黑料社,鈥� she said.
鈥淭he quality of the education is excellent, the class size is much smaller than at a university, and the price is right. And it鈥檚 right here. Close to home."