SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE Issue 2, 2014 Connected with Community STEVE EPPERSON – COACH & MENTOR Inside this edition President’s Message | Connected with Community | Hall of Fame | Lewis Hall | SVC Foundation PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Welcome! kagit Valley College is part of a community that embraces civic-minded leadership, collaboration, service, and engagement. SIn that spirit, we are proud to connect with individuals who give back to the College — and the community — by supporting the College’s mission of providing access to higher education. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TABLE 2 President’s Message By giving back, they are also contributing to economic vitality, celebrating cultural diversity, and enhancing quality of life. 3 Building Community through Throughout Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties, BOARD TRUSTEES OF Student Athletes many individuals join us in building community. They are representatives of government, business, and economic 4 - 5 Connected with Community development who help the region prosper and grow. They are exceptional faculty and staff who mentor tomorrow’s leaders. 6 Hall of Fame They are generous donors who open the doors of higher education for deserving students. Together, we are exploring 7 Charles Lewis Hall Lindsay Fiker new pathways that lead to academic achievement, offering Chair industry-aligned training that supports business, promoting 8 - 12 SVC Foundation cultural activities that strengthen community ties, and celebrating relationships that last a lifetime. In this edition of Currents, I hope you will find meaningful inspiration as we highlight several of these © 2014 Skagit Valley College remarkable individuals. Their service, dedication, and Currents is published by the enthusiasm are leaving an indelible mark on the life of this Skagit Valley College institution and in the community. Public Information Office, John Stephens On behalf of the faculty, staff, administration, and Board Vice Chair 2405 East College Way, of Trustees, we thank the many individuals who enrich the Mount Vernon, WA 98273 email: [email protected] College and the community with their service. Our success reflects our dedication to student achievement and our Editors/Writers: connections with each of you. Arden Ainley and Jennifer Fix Design/Production: Sincerely, Don Cairns Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free Kathryn Bennett environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and employment. Dr. Thomas A. Keegan, President COLLEGE MISSION COLLEGE Skagit Valley College provides opportunities for students in pursuit of Welcome new SVC Board Member Kathryn Bennett their educational and Margaret Rojas employment goals, In January, Kathryn Bennett was appointed to the SVC Board of Trustees by Governor Jay Inslee. Kathryn Bennett is the current Director of Leadership while contributing to Skagit, a public/private sponsored program designed to inspire and the economic and develop local leaders and she has served in that role since 2008. Prior to her cultural enrichment appointment, she was on the SVC Foundation Board, serving as its President of our communities. in 2012-2013. She is on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Skagit County. In addition, she is a member of the Rotary Club of Anacortes, the Association of Leadership Professionals, and has been a member of the Christon Skinner Board of the Anacortes Public Library Foundation. 2 Issue 2, 2014 Cover Story (L to R back row): Allen Vinkes, Dave Quall, Doug Kushan, Mike Marken, Roger Valentine, Frank Floyd. (L to R front row): Jim Frey, David Wood, John Peterson, Larry Tuell. 30th anniversary of men’s basketball Keri Clement, former point guard with the Cardinals, was a featured speaker at Coach Epperson’s 800th win celebration. championship In February, Skagit Valley College Foundation Steve Epperson: Building Community Alumni and Friends teamed up with the through Student Athletes Athletic Department to celebrate the 30th or the past 37 years, Women’s The Cardinals won that game as well to anniversary of the 1983- Basketball Head Coach Steve claim the conference title and finish off a 84 Men’s Basketball Epperson has been building commu- perfect 32-0 season. championship during a Fnity through his work on the court with stu- “Steve Epperson’s 800 wins put him in dent athletes and in the living rooms and 6th place in the world for number of wins half-time ceremony, as dens with their moms and dads. Without a as a junior/community college women’s bas- the Cardinals took on doubt, it is a tight-knit community. ketball coach,” said Gary Knutzen. “Beyond the Everett Community So, it was no surprise when Cardinal the 800 wins, which are remarkable, his College Trojans. fans of all ages converged on the Dave greatest gift has been his care in helping DuVall Pavilion to celebrate Coach student athletes to be successful on the After going 23 and 5 that Epperson’s recent 800th win. The celebra- court and in life.” year under Head Coach tion, sponsored by SVC Foundation Alumni Epperson’s 800th win is even more Dave Quall and Assistant and Friends and the Athletic Department, amazing in that coaches with more victories Coach Roger Valentine, took place February 1st when the Cardinals on the total wins ladder are not restricted the Cardinals went on hosted the Edmonds Community College by the number of games they can play each Tritons. The festivities to honor Steve in- year. Skagit, as a member of the NWAACC to earn the Northwest cluded a half-time presentation by Athletic Conference, is limited to 23 games per year. Athletic Association of Director Gary Knutzen. Then, after the Other conferences allow as many as 45 Community Colleges game, the Multipurpose Room was standing games a year, enabling those coaches to rack (NWAACC) championship room only when Steve walked through the up wins in a much shorter time. – the team’s first! doors for a community reception. Former Steve Epperson has been the Head players — many with families of their own Coach of the SVC Women’s Basketball Several players from the now — waited for his arrival with parents, team since 1977. He has led the Cardinals team joined February’s boosters, and friends. The room was a sea of to 25 seasons of 20+ wins. In that span, reunion including smiles showing Cardinal pride. the Cardinals have won 20 NWAACC David Wood, who Steve Epperson’s milestone came with North Region Titles and four Conference a 102-71 victory over South Puget Sound Championships. Over the years, many of went on to play in the Community College on December 20th Epperson’s student athletes have gone on NBA, tournament Most in the Yakima Valley College Crossover to play at four-year colleges and many have Valuable Player Jim Frey, Tournament. The win came on the same moved into coaching. and Frank Floyd. court in Yakima as the 1996 Northwest When the 2013-14 basketball season GO CARDINALS! Athletic Association of Community Colleges ended, Steve had accumulated about 815 (NWAACC) Championship Tournament. victories. So, more wins to come… Issue 2, 2014 3 Connected with Community Focused on Strengthening Workforce Skills — SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE JOINS COMPOSITES WASHINGTON ALLIANCE SVC is a member of the Composites Washington alliance. Students get high demand Composites training at the Marine Technology Center in Anacortes. rom aircraft to boats and training embraced by each college, Builders, an Anacortes-based com- wind turbines to sporting and the professional development pany that makes custom high-end goods, Washington’s rapid- opportunities we are bringing in composite yachts and commercial Fly growing composites industry is for faculty, students, and industry vessels. creating jobs that require skilled partners,” said Ann Avary, director of “The need for the alliance is technicians. Skagit Valley College the Center of Excellence for Marine great. We have benefitted – and will has teamed up with seven other Manufacturing and Technology at continue to benefit into the future community and technical colleges SVC. – from a trained composites work- to form “Composites Washington,” While composites have been tied force,” he said. “Having the resources an alliance focused on strengthen- to marine and aerospace industries, locally to train work-ready employees ing workforce skills. Joining SVC the evolution of composite technol- strengthens not only our company are Clover Park Technical College, ogy is creating opportunities for but the marine industry and local Edmonds Community College, companies that build other products economy as well.” Everett Community College, Olympic or supply the tools and materials Composites are used in a myriad College, Peninsula College, Spokane needed to make them. One of those of industries, including aerospace, Community College, and South firms is Janicki Industries in Sedro- marine, automotive, medical devices, Seattle Community College. Woolley, which designs and builds energy, construction, sporting equip- Composites Washington is high-precision tooling for aerospace, ment, and consumer goods. Boeing being led by two Washington State marine, wind energy, and transporta- 777X wings will be made of carbon Centers of Excellence: Marine tion customers. fiber composite material. Manufacturing and Technology at “We appreciate the efforts of The American Association of SVC and Aerospace and Advanced groups like Composites Washington. Community Colleges is highlighting Materials Manufacturing at Everett