Clark College President Bob Knight presented Presidential Coins to two Clark College employees and one Clark College alumnus during his 2018 State of the College address on January 18. They were:

Rachele Bakic

Rachele Bakic began at Clark in 2012 as the program manager for the Health e-Workforce Consortium Grant. She accepted the position of Interim Director of Academic Services in September 2014. In 2015, she was named the Associate Dean of Instructional Operations, a role that involves overseeing many aspects of the college’s curriculum and programs. Knight said Bakic played “an integral role” on the college’s Curriculum Committee, Instructional Planning Team, and the Outcomes Assessment Committee, all of which help realize the college’s academic strategy and ensure that classes meet the needs of students. He also noted her work on the Academic Calendar Committee and other groups around campus.

Armetta Burney

Armetta Burney has served as Director of Workforce Education Services (previously called Eligibility Services) at Clark College for five years. In that role, she has led the expansion of several programs serving students. The Basic Food, Employment, and Training Program (which provides federal funding for students facing barriers to education) served fewer than 20 students per quarter when Burney began her career at Clark; now it serves more than 300. Similarly, she expanded the Passport to College program, which provides incentives to students for reaching specific academic milestones. She oversaw changes to the way the Opportunity Grant was administered, which led to student retention rising from 76 percent to 84 percent. And she launched an Emergency Grant program for students in crisis.

“She is committed to ensuring that she and her staff meet students where they are, and providing students with the support they need to be successful,” Knight said.

Sen. Al Bauer

While former Washington State Senator Al Bauer is not a Clark College employee, he has a long and personal connection to the college, beginning when he first began taking classes here in 1948 after being laid off from a cannery job. Bauer has said that he expected Clark to refuse to admit him, and that the college’s wholehearted welcome helped him to believe in his own capabilities. Bauer left Clark to join the Navy, but returned after his service to continue his education. He eventually earned a master’s degree in education and taught in area schools for more than 20 years. His political career included nine years as a Washington State Representative and two decades as a state senator, during which time he earned the moniker of “the education senator.” A staunch advocate for the institution that gave him his start in higher education, Bauer’s significance to the college was made clear in 1988 when a building on the main campus was dedicated to him.

“Thank you for being who you are, being the leader that you are, and for caring about students as the education senator,” said President Knight in presenting the coin to Sen. Bauer.

President Knight introduced a Presidential Coins at Clark College in 2007. They are given to faculty and staff members who provide exemplary service to Clark students, the college, and the community. In 2016, President Knight expanded the coins’ recipients to include exemplary supporters of the college. The honorees are decided by the president and are kept secret until the names are announced–generally on Opening Day in the fall or during the annual State of the College address in January.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley