At his annual State of the College address on January 20, President Bob Knight spoke about the importance of an organization finding its “true north,” which he defined as “the very reason the organization exists, and what it can do better than anything else.”

Knight went on to say that Clark College has been steering its course toward its own true north, which he said was encapsulated in its mission statement: “Clark College, in service to the community, guides individuals to achieve their educational and professional goals.”

“There are two absolutely key words in this statement: ‘community’ and ‘guides,'” he said.

Knight pointed out several ways the college is helping to better guide students, including work on implementing a “Guided Pathways” model of education that helps channel students into well-planned routes to their degrees; new enrollment labs and Penguin Welcome Days to help students be prepared for college before they even begin classes; and the expansion of the COLL 101 class to all incoming students planning to earn an Associate of Arts degree. He reminded the audience gathered in Gaiser Student Center that almost three-quarters of Clark’s student body were first-generation college students.

“They need that structure,” he said. “They need that extra help and support.”

Knight also highlighted some of the ways the college is working with its community. He mentioned the strong relationship Clark’s Automotive Technology program has developed with local businesses like Dick Hannah Dealerships, who recently donated $4,000 tool kits to students working there. And he gestured to the temporary wall on one side of the student center, blocking off construction of the Tod and Maxine Culinary Institute, which, when completed later this year, would be the only nonprofit culinary institute within 120 miles.

Knight pointed out that the culinary institute, as well as Clark’s newly opened STEM Building, would not have been possible without generous support from the Clark College Foundation, which for the first time this past year surpassed $1 million in scholarship donation. When the state did not fully fund the STEM Building’s construction, Knight said, “our Foundation came to the rescue through our community and raised the money to build that facility. Not every college in this state has that luxury.”

Continuing the theme of community, Knight discussed the important role Clark College at Boschma Farms would play in the under-served northern portion of the college’s service district. While the land for this new facility in Ridgefield has been acquired, funding for the design phase has not been included in Governor Jay Inslee’s proposed budget for the next biennium. “This project is a cornerstone in what Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow like to remind me is the state’s fastest-growing city,” Knight said.

As is traditional, Knight used the address as an opportunity to hand out Presidential Coins to individuals who provide exemplary service to Clark students, the college, and community. New this year, Knight bestowed two coins on individuals who are not employees at the college–alumnus George Welsh ’67 and professor emeritus Dr. Larry Easter–as well as to two employees, custodian Stacy Watne and Disability Support Services Program Support Supervisor Irene Cheney.

Knight concluded by saying that while he realized that the U.S. Presidential Inauguration was also happening that day, he would not be commenting on it except to say, “Whatever goes on nationally won’t affect what happens at Clark College. Clark College will remain an open, safe, inclusive environment.”

 

To see more highlights of the past year at Clark College, watch this video:

 

Photos: Jenny Shadley

More photos can be viewed on our Flickr page.