LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION 2019 Report to the Community Celebrating 85 Years of Excellence in Education LCC Board of Trustees Celebrating 85 Years of Excellence in Education Steve Vincent, Chair As I reflect on LCC’s humble beginnings, it is with gratitude George Raiter, Vice Chair for the individuals who believed in the value of a community Alice Dietz college and the role of education as a catalyst for quality of Bob Gregory life. Lower Columbia Junior College (LCJC) opened its doors on October 2, 1934 with 53 students enrolled in the first Heather Mansy classes. Until the purchase of 26 acres in 1942, classes were held at R.A. Long High School, the Longview Public Library LCC Foundation and downtown businesses. It was not until 1950 that the Main Building was constructed. Chris Bailey Board of Directors Today, the college is a comprehensive community and technical college offering Rich Gushman, Chair 70+ programs. LCC serves over 4,000 students each quarter and rates near the top Jenny Isaacson, Vice Chair of the state in student completion rates. Recently we added our first baccalaureate degree: the Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BAS-TE). This past Linda Davis, Secretary decade, we gained a new state-of-the art Health & Science building, opened a Chris Bailey, LCC President Regional University Center, finished significant updates to our Main Building, and Cathy Bakamus renovated our Gym and Fitness Center which was recently named the Stoller Athletic Center. A “new” Vocational Building is next on the horizon that we believe Mike Claxton will become the epicenter for workforce skills and industry training in the area. Dan Evans It is wonderful to honor the past and celebrate where we are today, but it is the Stephen Fuller future that captures our collective imagination of what the next 85 years will Emily Gardner bring to LCC’s story! Dixie Kolditz Christopher C. Bailey John Paul Dr. PJ Peterson Bruce Pollock President Lower Columbia College Jane Rosi-Pattison Ryan Schopp You Make Dreams Come True Rosemary Siipola Heather Snyder For the past 85 years, a shot at the American dream and getting Deb Sweet a college education have become reality for so many in our community and beyond. Lower Columbia College offers an Michelle Trekas incredible value to students and is truly a special place! It is Ex Officio Members a place where students can get started or in some cases start over, as they pursue a college education and their dream of Tim Welch a brighter future. Some of you attended LCC, some of you employ LCC alumni, some of you cheer on our Red Devil Kendra Sprague LCC Leadership athletes, but all of you have been impacted by this college’s presence in our community for 85 years. This is a better place Chris Bailey, President to live, work, and raise families because of Lower Columbia Kristen Finnel, VP Instruction College. This doesn’t happen by accident! It happens because of people like you investing in our community and our Wendy Hall, VP Effectiveness students. Thank you for making dreams come true. and College Relations Sue Orchard, VP Student Services Kendra Sprague Rich Gushman Kendra Sprague, VP Foundation, Rich Gushman HR & Legal Affairs Nolan Wheeler, LCC Vice President of Chair, LCC Foundation Board VP Administrative Services Foundation, HR, & Legal Affairs 2 2019 Annual Report Joe Fischer 2019-20 Benefactor of the Year The Lower Columbia College Foundation In 1996, Joe married his late wife, Alona has named Joe Fischer as the 2019-20 Forsberg Fischer and they happily Benefactor of the Year. Benefactor honorees made their home in Longview. Joe’s have a history of providing charitable philanthropic support to LCC includes financial support to the foundation, and/ the establishment of the Joe and Alona or significant volunteer service to the Fischer Art Scholarship, the Carl Forsberg college. Most notably, contributions from Business Endowed Scholarship, and the honorees have had major impacts on the Carl and Alona Forsberg Art Endowed college, its programs, students, and the Scholarship, in addition to his support community. “It is with great pleasure that of men’s basketball, the art gallery, and and art chairman for various festivals, we announce and honor Joe Fischer as this Connecting Waters. Joe painted a mural auctions, and at SUNY. “I have always year’s Benefactor of the Year,” said Rich in LCC’s Head Start building and most been very devoted to students, regardless Gushman, LCC Foundation Board Chair. recently was featured in the Salal Review of whether the work was paid or unpaid. I with his submission of an acrylic painting enjoyed teaching and used it to introduce Joe served in the US Air Force from 1951- students to the arts and inspired many 55. Joe earned his Bachelor of Science of “Johari Jumping With Dany.” “Joe has been a visible and involved supporter of student to go on and become serious degree in 1960 and a Master of Fine Arts artists,” shares Joe. in 1963 from the University of Oregon. LCC throughout the years, and we are He went on to work for State University pleased to honor his contributions and Sharing the love of arts continues to of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo from support of the arts,” said Kendra Sprague, inspire Joe’s passion and generosity for 1965-1994, where he designed a new LCC Vice President of Foundation, HR & helping others through gifts of time and Craft Center facility which included four Legal Affairs. philanthropy. “Joe clearly understands studios that housed pottery, weaving, Joe’s professional career also included the important impact that community photography, and jewelry programs. 25 juried exhibitions featuring his works colleges have in their communities. While at SUNY, Joe served as Art Gallery of art throughout New York, Canada, His generosity will provide support to Director from 1966-70. From 1963-65, Joe Texas, Oregon, the Midwest, and at students and art programs at LCC for worked as the Director of Craft Center at LCC. One of Joe’s many awards includes years to come,” shares Chris Bailey, LCC Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada the interrupted landscape painting of President. where he taught art courses. In 1965, Joe Lake Sacajawea, which was selected for Joe will be honored at the 2020 LCC returned to Buffalo where he taught as an LCC’s permanent collection in 2005. Foundation Horns & Halos Gala in Adjunct Professor of the arts for Empire Joe’s community service includes that of September. State College until 1994. advisor, coordinator, program assistant, New Program Options at Lower Columbia College! Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education – LCC’s first applied bachelor’s program will prepare you for a career in education or early childhood education. We offer both certification and non- certification options. Interested in attending part-time? Apply before April 17, 2020 to start in summer 2020! Learn more at lowercolumbia.edu/bas-te. Engineering Technician Certificate – Learn how to provide technical support to engineers in mechanical, industrial, civil, electrical, aerospace, computer, or environmental fields. Students attending full-time can complete this program in four quarters. Learn more at lowercolumbia.edu/programs. Multicraft Trades Certificate – Prepare for a career in the skilled trades, enter an apprenticeship, or transition into an LCC degree program such as Advanced Manufacturing, Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technology, Machine Trades, or Welding. Full-time students can complete this program in three quarters (or less with transfer-in high school/career connected learning credits). Learn more at lowercolumbia.edu/programs. Production Technician Certificate – Designed to prepare production operators for industries using high technology equipment and processes, students attending full-time can complete this program in four quarters. Learn more at lowercolumbia.edu/programs. 2019 Annual Report 3 Synthetic Cadaver John Fitzpatrick Named 2020 Gives Students Real Transforming Lives Award Winner Experience John Fitzpatrick never went to The opportunity to learn with high school; instead, he got the aid of high-tech equipment caught up in a life of crime in labs and classrooms sets LCC beginning as a young child. students apart. It is unusual for Eventually, he spent a decade a community college to own behind bars. While incarcerated, a Syndaver, a synthetic female John took a college readiness cadaver, made of organic tissues course through Centralia and compounds like silicone. LCC College and decided to apply for a scholarship from the continues to ensure we have up- mikeroweWORKS Foundation (Mike Rowe is the host of television show Dirty Jobs). to-date technology to educate health students. The Syndaver Rowe’s required video application posed a tremendous challenge for John, since is made with incredible detail, video equipment is not permitted in correctional facilities in Washington. While mirroring real flesh and organs a less determined person might have given up, John pursued the appropriate in pigment and color. Right now, permissions and sent in his application. He was dumbfounded when he received anywhere from 75-100 dental the $12,000 award. Not everyone was pleased with John’s hygiene, pre-medical, physical scholarship. Rowe received public therapy, and other health students criticism from members of his fan base use the Syndaver every quarter. What’s the for “wasting” the money on a convict. Students can more easily access point of paying He took to the airwaves to respond to the Syndaver than the real cadaver his critics. (which LCC also owns). The your debt to society, Mike Rowe, in response to criticism about Syndaver is part of LCC’s long-term if society never John Fitzpatrick’s scholarship award, goals of increasing enrollment forgives the loan? asked “What’s the point of paying your and expanding programs.