SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE Issue 1, 2016 SVC is the recipient of a Gold Medal Award for newsletters by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations. in partnership with local business leaders in the industry, svc launches its new craft brewing academy in may. (see page 3) Focused on Excellence PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOCUSED ON EXCELLENCE Access, Achievement, Community kagit Valley College is proud to be part of a community that embraces Issue 1, 2016 civic-minded collaboration, leadership, Sand service. In that spirit, we connect with individuals who give back to SVC — and the TABLE CONTENTS OF 2 President’s Message broader community — through their active engagement and support of the College’s mission to 3 Craft Brewing Academy provide a learning environment that is focused on excellence. Not only does their engagement support 4 Spotlight on Student Success academic success for our students, it contributes to 5 Outstanding Faculty & Staff the economic vitality of our region and it enriches our quality of life. 6 Partnerships Throughout Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties, many individuals have joined our commitment to 7 - 8 SVC Foundation Christon Skinner students and community. They are key leaders in Chair government, industry, agriculture, and economic development who foster innovations that help our region prosper and grow. They are dedicated educators © 2016 Skagit Valley College who mentor tomorrow’s leaders. They are passionate Currents is published by the Skagit Valley College philanthropists who support educational opportunities Public Information Office for deserving students. Together, we are creating 2405 East College Way Kathryn Bennett learning opportunities that lead to student success, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Vice Chair email: [email protected] offering industry-aligned training that responds to employer needs, and fostering relationships that last a Editors/Writers: Arden Ainley, Anne Clark, Pam Davis, and lifetime. Brad Tuininga BOARD TRUSTEES OF On behalf of the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, Design/Production: and students, we thank the many individuals who Don Cairns enrich Skagit Valley College and our community with Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate Lindsay Fiker their leadership, collaboration, and service. on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and employment. Sincerely, COLLEGE MISSION Skagit Valley College provides opportunities for students in pursuit of their educational and Dr. Thomas A. Keegan employment goals, Megan Scott O’Bryan President while contributing to the economic and cultural enrichment of our communities. John Stephens 2 Issue 1, 2016 cover story SVC launches Craft Brewing Academy The first offered among Washington’s community and technical colleges hether it’s stepping out for Working closely with partners who of the business in order to advance in a bite of dinner or taking a are on the forefront of innovation their career goals. weekend drive in the sun, and share the excitement in bringing The Academy’s Advisory Wit doesn’t take long to discover one of agriculture, brewing, economic Committee is comprised of many the many new microbrew establish- vitality, and education together are a of the region’s best brewing profes- ments popping up around the area. few of the qualities that make SVC’s sionals: The Pike Brewing Company, The Northwest — and the newest program so unique. New Westland Distillery, Chuckanut Skagit Valley in particular — is malting techniques developed by Brewery & Kitchen, Skagit Valley a vibrant hub for the craft brew Skagit Valley Malting, combined with Malting & Brewing Company, industry. So, an amazing team of the exceptional flavor and quality of Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery, individuals and organizations came the wheat and barley grown in the Malteurop North American, Inc., together to explore the idea that Valley, promise to enhance the inno- North Sound Brewing Company, has blossomed into SVC’s new Craft vation of the craft brewing industry. Skagit River Brewery, Flyers Brewing Academy. The program Skagit Valley College’s 40-credit, Restaurant & Brewery, Hale’s Ales, is the first to be offered among three-month Academy is built on Golden Distillery, Boundary Bay Washington’s community and these innovations and leverages the Brewery, and WSU Research and technical colleges. partnerships with local farmers and Extension. With the Craft Brewing Academy, The Bread Lab. The Academy launches Visit www.skagit.edu/craftbrew partnership is key. The Academy is in May. the result of the College’s participa- Classes will take place at SVC’s tion in Governor Inslee’s Skagit Valley new Cardinal Craft Brewing facility, Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ) located at the Port of Skagit in SVC in the News for Value Added Agriculture. The IPZ Burlington. The unique curriculum There’s a lot of MEDIA BUZZ about SVC’s nurtures partnerships to enhance will teach an overview of the new Craft Brewing Academy. Check out a few the agricultural industry, promoting complete craft brew business, “from of the recent highlights: innovative approaches that combine grain to glass.” Providing the research and technology, producing curriculum development are brew- KING 5 TV in Seattle, March 17th a robust economy centered on the ers from Rockfish Grill & Anacortes www.skagit.edu/KING5 valley’s rich agricultural resources. Brewery, Flyers Restaurant & Skagit Valley Herald The partnership is a virtual ‘who’s Brewery, and Boundary Bay www.skagit.edu/skagitvalleyherald who’ in agriculture and community Brewery. leadership: Dr. Stephen Jones, Students will gain a foundation Whidbey News Times Director of The Bread Lab; Dave of knowledge that is required for www.skagit.edu/whidbeynewstimes Hedlin of Hedlin Family Farms; successful employment. They will Tap Trail in Bellingham Kraig Knutzen of Knutzen Farms; learn about the science and practice www.skagit.edu/taptrail Steve Sakuma of Sakuma Brothers of brewing in the classroom, in the Farms; Wayne Carpenter of Skagit on-site brew lab, and at internships Northwest Brew Talk Podcast www.skagit.edu/nwbrewtalk Valley Malting; Washington State at local breweries. The Academy is University; Northwest Agriculture ideal for those considering entry Washington Beer Blog in Seattle Business Center; Port of Skagit; City into the brewing industry, as well www.skagit.edu/wabeerblog of Mount Vernon; and EDASC. as those pursuing wider knowledge Issue 1, 2016 3 focused on excellence Access, Achievement, Community Spotlight on Student Success Excelling at SVC and beyond: All-Washington Academic Team 2016 wo outstanding SVC students, SVC has been one of the most influential and Samantha Martin and Kevin Felt, beneficial experiences in my life thus far,” she were named to the 2016 All-Washington said. “SVC offers a small and intimate learning TAcademic Team and honored at the annual environment and the tight-knit community on ceremony that was held March 24th in campus fully embraces students and encourag- Olympia. es student success.” Samantha’s goal includes Each year, All-Washington provides an earning a Ph.D. in Psychology, with a focus on opportunity for community and technical Neuroscience and a minor in nutrition. college students to be recognized for their With a 3.87 GPA, Kevin Felt is majoring achievements. Governor Jay Inslee provided in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry at the Samantha Martin the keynote address to honor the team and Mount Vernon Campus. In his free time, Kevin each student received a medallion from likes to woodwork, exercise, and spend time their college president. Kevin and Samantha with his friends and family. Next fall, he will received their commemorative medallion transfer to the University of Washington to from SVC President Dr. Tom Keegan. study Molecular Biology/Biochemistry and Samantha Martin first enrolled at SVC’s pursue a bachelor of science and a Ph.D. For Whidbey Island Campus through Running Kevin, Skagit was the right fit. “I appreciate Start. In addition to majoring in Psychology the time I’ve spent at SVC because it offered and maintaining a 3.88 GPA, Samantha is me a legitimate, robust education at an afford- Student Government President and Vice- able cost,” he said. “I am just now turning 21 President of Phi Theta Kappa. Now, she’s ex- and I’ve come to the conclusion that SVC has cited to graduate in June with her high school been a very wise decision for beginning my Kevin Felt diploma and associate’s degree. “Attending undergraduate education.” Excelling on and off the court — Committed to SVC student athletes recognized for Academic Excellence their education: Three student athletes, Nianiella Dorvall, Nikkie Froehlich, and Students visit Olympia for Daryon James, were recognized for their Academic Excellence by the Student Advocacy Day Northwest Athletic Conference for Winter Quarter. To be eligible, each In January, SVC student leaders must be a sophomore, have earned a minimum of 36 credits, have a and advisors traveled to Olympia 3.25 cumulative GPA, and be recommended by their college. Daryon James for Community & Technical After graduating from SVC, Nianiella plans to complete medical College Student Advocacy Day, school and work with “Doctors without Borders.” Nikkie will transfer an annual event organized by the to a four-year university to become a dental assistant. “Both of these Council of Unions and Student young women are outstanding students and leaders,” said Women’s Programs.