Penguin fans packed the stands at Clark College’s softball field on May 2, gathering not just to cheer on their team but to celebrate a legacy. The afternoon dedication of the newly named Raines Softball Field brought together athletes, alumni, friends, and family, including many there to support Wilma Raines.

Clark College Athletics, Clark College Foundation, and members of the broader college community joined together at the Women’s softball field to recognize the contributions of the Raines family. The field was named in honor of Wilma Raines in memory of Jim Raines and his daughter Jami (Raines) Shogren, devoted supporters of Clark softball who left a lasting mark on the program. Wilma Raines, Jim’s widow and Jami’s mother, attended the ceremony, surrounded by heartfelt tributes and shared memories.

The Raines Family Legacy

Jim Raines, who passed away in 2018, devoted his life to empowering student athletes and helping ensure the success of Clark College’s softball program. Prior to his passing, he arranged for significant support to maintain the softball field and foster community sports opportunities.

Alums of Clark College, Jim and Wilma, also funded scholarships for student athletes, including one in memory of their daughter, the Jami Raines Memorial Scholarship.

Jami (Raines) Shogren was a standout softball player, following in her father’s footsteps as a catcher. The couple established student athlete scholarships in Jami’s honor after her death in 2008.

During the dedication ceremony, Calen Ouellette, CEO of Clark College Foundation, reflected on the deeper meaning behind the field’s new name.

“This isn’t just a moment to name a field,” Ouellette said. “It’s a moment to honor a legacy—a legacy of leadership, of belief in women’s athletics, and of deep investment in the future of our community.”

Ouellette spoke to the lasting impact of the Raines family, highlighting their decades of support for Clark College. “Wilma Raines and her late husband, Jim, have been pillars of support. Wilma understands something powerful: investing in your local community college isn’t simply an act of generosity—it’s an act of belief. Belief in opportunity. Belief in education. Belief in the power of young people to change the future.”

He went on to describe the symbolism of the field itself. “Thanks to a generous gift from the Raines family, this field will forever stand as a tribute—not only to Jim and their daughter Jami’s memory—but to every student-athlete who dreams bigger because someone believed in them. Fields like this aren’t just places where games are played. They’re places where confidence is built, where leadership is forged, where young women see they are worthy of investment and celebration.”

“Wilma’s decision to give back to Clark College sets an example for all of us,” Ouellette added. “When you support your community college, you strengthen the economic engine, the cultural spirit, and the social fabric of your entire region. Wilma, we are humbled by your family’s vision and heart. The Raines name will forever be woven into the lives of every Penguin who steps onto this field. Today and every day moving forward, Raines Softball Field will stand as a symbol of what’s possible when one family says, ‘Yes, I believe in them.’”

The Foundation presented Wilma with a painting of her husband and daughter standing on a softball field. The artist is Clark art professor Grant Hottle.

Laura LeMasters, Director of Athletics, presented Wilma with a commemorative Penguins softball jersey and a softball stamped with the field dedication date.

Holding the jersey, Wilma said, “I’m very humbled. My husband and daughter played on this field when it was a city league field. Thank you for showing up. I know it was in respect for Jim and Jami and me.”

LeMasters spoke about being introduced to Jim and Wilma Raines and understanding the depth and dedication their family brought not only to Clark, but to Clark Athletics. Jim Raines was a founding member of the Penguin Athletic Club that helped raise funds for the department to create improvements across all programs and was a member of the Hall of Fame committee. LeMasters worked with Wilma, managing the Jami Raines Memorial Scholarship.

LeMasters added, “The Raines family is deserving of having their name forever a piece of Clark College, Clark Athletics, and Clark softball. I want to thank everyone for attending this event as we officially name the softball field at Clark College the Raines Softball Field. With perfect timing, today’s game is the first game with our brand-new scoreboard, forever memorializing the Raines family. It is my pleasure to invite Wilma to cut the ribbon and formally dedicate this field in her family’s name.” 

Then Wilma stood between LeMasters and Oulette. Together, they held a massive pair of ceremonial scissors and cut the ribbon.

LeMasters said, “With that, we officially name this field the Raines Softball Field. Wilma, thank you so much.”

Five of the student-athletes are recipients of the scholarship named in honor of her daughter, Jami. As Wilma walked off the field, the softball team ran onto the field and warmed up for the Clark College vs Centralia College game.

2024-2025 student-athlete recipients of the Jami Raines Memorial Scholarship

• Ashley Griffith
• Zoey Mikkelsen
• Sophia Lawrence
• Tessa Treesh
• Gabriela Ventura

Penguin assistant softball coach Chloe Blehm was a recipient during her time here as a student-athlete in 2018-19.  

About Clark College Foundation

Clark College Foundation (CCF) is an independent, self-governed nonprofit that partners with Clark College to improve higher education access, student success, and community engagement. In the 2023-2024 school year, CCF distributed $1.6 million in scholarships, special awards, and financial support to hundreds of students. The Foundation contributed $4.8 million in total support to the college that same year.

About Clark College Athletics

The Clark College Athletics Department will enrich the greater community and the lives of student athletes by instilling in them a lifelong enjoyment of sports and physical activity.  With a commitment to diversity, integrity, and academic achievement, we provide a competitive and high-quality range of sports programs that focus on learning teamwork and on student success.

Learn more

• Clark College Foundation: https://clarkcollegefoundation.org/
• Clark College Athletics: https://clarkpenguins.com/
• Read more about the Raines family’s legacy at Clark College here
• Read Jim Raines’ obituary here
• View more photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCcJtW

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Congratulations to Clark College’s Surveying and Geomatics team who earned top honors at a prestigious national competition held over spring break, taking first place at the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) 24th Annual Student Competition.

Accompanied by Professor Brian Miyake, six Clark students traveled to Silver Spring, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., to compete against 25 academic teams from across the country. Clark College was the only school representing Washington or Oregon—and the competition marked the college’s first-ever entry into the event.

Clark’s first-place Surveying & Geomatics team:

• Robert Clapham, Class of 2026
• Eli Deschand, Class of 2025
• Rebecca Dunphy, Class of 2025
• Trevor Geivett, Class of 2025
• Brian Hankins, Class of 2026
• Milad Sadegi, Class of 2026

Clark’s team received support to attend the competition from the following:

• Land Surveyors Association of Washington
• Minister & Glaeser Surveying. Inc.
• PBS Engineering and Environmental 
• Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon
• S & F Land Services
• Westlake Consultants, Inc. 

“I am so proud of our Clark College students and their outstanding performance in this national competition. Most of the students had never visited D.C. before, so it was a completely new place for them to practice their surveying skills amongst so many historical sites,” Professor Miyake said. “The team showed exemplary professionalism, teamwork and survey ability in timed events and in the local D.C. community, while representing our state and college with pride and confidence.”

The competition consisted of one day of monument scavenger hunt and one day of technical field exercises–with students utilizing historical and modern survey instruments to complete tasks. A course was laid out on Capitol Mall between the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial.

Day 1: Monument Hunt. The first portion of the competition was a staged scavenger hunt.

• A list of D.C.-area monuments were assigned a point value and provided the day before the event.
• Monuments farther away or more logistically challenging were assigned higher values due to the risk of finding fewer of them.
• Monuments selected are older and are significant to the history of surveying in the area.
• Teams were released from the hotel in 30-minute increments and had six hours to complete their task. Teams were provided Metro public transit cards. No other mode of transportation was allowed. Teams had to stay together.
• Scoring: Teams accumulated points based on the point values of the monuments visited.
• Teams proved they reached the monument by taking a photo with a timestamp or a group photo in front of the monument. Extra points were provided for social media posts with those photos using #NSPS and #YSN.

Day 2: Measurement Exercises. The second portion of the competition was a four-part timed exercise to evaluate students’ technical ability while requiring some knowledge of historical concepts. Transportation and equipment were provided.

1. Route layout: Students were asked to layout a route using a baseline and plans provided using a Trimble Robotic Total Station. Performance was graded on the accuracy of calculated points versus plan and amount completed in time allotted.
2. Traverse: Students were asked to perform a four-sided traverse with a chain and compass. Performance was graded on the following criteria: closure, accuracy of leg distances and accuracy of internal angles.
3. Triangulation: Students were asked to complete a triangulate exercise of an unknown position from two to three known positions with a theodolite. Performance was graded based solely on the accuracy of the missing variable and calculating the area between the theodolite stations and the unknown position.
4. Boundary reconnaissance: Students were asked to calculate a series of points given any number of information that one might find on a deed/plat and utilize those in locating specific real-world points utilizing a Leica GPS unit. Performance was graded on the following criteria: Accuracy of calculated points vs plan and amount completed in time allotted.

About Surveying and Geomatics

Surveying and Geomatics involves the accurate assessment, measuring, and plotting of land and water boundaries for development projects that include buildings, roads, and bridges. Clark’s program uses state-of-the-art land surveying equipment and techniques to prepare students for entry-level work in government and private sector roles.

Learn more

• Surveying and Geomatics at Clark College
• National Society of Professional Surveyors 24th Annual Student Competition

Clark College director of Guided Pathways and Partnerships, Rhianna Johnson, was among the community leaders honored during Leadership Clark County’s A Night of Impact event on April 23 in Gaiser Student Center. A 2021 graduate of the program, Johnson continues to make a lasting impact on students and the broader community.

Tina Krause, executive director of Leadership Clark County, said: “Rhianna was nominated and selected by our board of directors to receive the Community Impact Award. This is an award given to someone who is making a difference in our community both in their job and volunteer efforts. Rhianna was chosen because of her infectious positive attitude, her initiative within the community, and her dedication to the students at Clark College. She was the perfect candidate for this award. We are so excited to honor her.”

LCC praised Rhianna on its Facebook page as a “fierce advocate for student success and has dedicated her career to education and workforce development in Clark County… She has an amazing way of understanding people, her positive attitude is infectious, and Clark County is a better place because of Rhianna.”

Johnson’s community service includes:

• Rooted School in Vancouver board of directors
• Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce education and workforce committee
• Clark County Youth Consortium
• National Job Corps Association board of directors

“Participating in Leadership Clark County was a natural fit for my passion for community development. The program connects current and aspiring leaders in Clark County to learn more about the different agencies and processes that make our community run,” said Rhianna Johnson. “In my career, I have focused on contributing to education and workforce development programs that improve economic mobility for our neighbors, which is a major component of a thriving community. I greatly appreciated working with others who are also trying to improve our small corner of the world.”

Leadership Clark County honored these LCC alumni who have made an impact on the Clark County community:

Community Impact Award: Rhianna Johnson, Clark College

Volunteer Impact Award: Scott Johnson, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA)

Advancing Equity Award: Clarissa Hightower, Southwest Washington Equity Coalition

The organization also awarded an emerging leader between age 21-30 who demonstrates strong leadership skills and a commitment to service within the Clark County community. The recipient will receive full tuition to participate in the LCC Class of 2026.

Emerging Leader Award: Maggie Bernetich, Council for the Homeless

Founded in 1993 by a group of community leaders, Leadership Clark County (LCC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic leadership program. Our mission is to develop effective leaders to enrich a thriving community.

Leadership Clark County offers a nine-month leadership development program that focuses on topics that impact the community, including education, economics, social services, and more. With over 800 alumni and growing, LCC’s graduates serve our community as nonprofit board members, civic group leaders, business leaders and elected officials.

Learn more: https://www.leadershipclarkcounty.com/

Two Clark College students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and community service at the 28th annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony, held April 24 at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey.

Seth Stigall Barranco and Anton Vlasov represented Clark College as members of the prestigious All-Washington Academic Team, a statewide program that honors high-achieving students from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges. The program is part of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

They join more than 80 scholars from across Washington State who are pursuing transfer or workforce pathways and demonstrating excellence both in and out of the classroom.

Darci Feider, advisor of the Clark College PTK chapter, Alpha Sigma Pi, said, “I’m incredibly proud of Seth and Anton for being named to the All-Washington Academic Team. Their hard work and commitment to learning have made them outstanding representatives of Clark College.”

Seth Stigall Barranco

Anton Vlasov

All-Washington Academic Team Ceremony

Each student received a medal and a $250 scholarship from Key Bank. They also are eligible for additional scholarships from private sponsors and transfer scholarships for four-year colleges and universities.

Program sponsors:

• Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges
• Washington State Association of College Trustees
• Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
• Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges

Scholarship sponsors:

• KeyBank
• Washington State Employees Credit Union
• Washington State Association of College Trustees

Learn more

• All-Washington Academic Team
• Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
• Clark College PTK chapter, Alpha Sigma Phi

For the first time in years, the Sakura Festival finally got its perfect spring day. The weather was warm, the cherry trees were bursting with fluffy pink blossoms, and not a single dark cloud dared to show up.

Drawn by sunshine and drifting petals, a large crowd of Clark students, employees, and community members of all ages filled the Japanese Friendship Garden. Beneath the canopy of blossoms, they celebrated spring, friendship, and hope, set to the graceful sounds of a traditional Koto performance by Yukiko Vossen, accompanied by flutist LeeAnn McKenna.

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards welcomed visitors and remarked that it was the first time in her five years at Clark that Sakura conditions had been perfect.

Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnery-Ogle shared the history of Clark’s cherry trees and remembered former Clark President Bob Knight and former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard. Both men were instrumental in building the sister-city relationship with Joyo, Japan, and honoring that relationship every year in the Clark College cherry grove during Sakura. The mayor expressed sadness that both Knight and Pollard passed away recently, but their legacy will live on.

McEnergy-Ogle said, “We lost both Bob and Royce recently. And while we mourn the loss of two community champions, we celebrate their legacies in events and moments like today. And we can renew our commitment to carry forward the relationships and causes that blossomed under their stewardship.”

Consul General Ken Todorikiof the Japanese Embassy in Portland and Clark student Nicole Vara Madriz, who studied abroad in Japan, also addressed the crowd.  

Dr. Edwards shared the history of Clark’s Royce E. Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden and its significance to our college and the greater community. She also shared life lessons from Sakura.

Sakura’s Life Lessons

1. Embrace Impermanence
A powerful reminder that nothing in life is permanent.  When you accept impermanence, you learn to live more fully and appreciate what you have while it lasts.

2. Find Beauty in Simplicity
Cherry blossoms are not extravagant or overly complex. Their beauty lies in their simplicity. This teaches us that we don’t need grand gestures or material possessions to experience joy.

3. Let Go with Grace
When cherry blossoms fall, they do so gracefully, creating a beautiful and peaceful scene. This is a lesson in letting go.  Letting go doesn’t mean giving up; it means trusting that something new and beautiful will emerge.

4. Celebrate New Beginnings
Cherry blossoms are often associated with spring, a season of renewal and rebirth. They remind us that after every ending comes a new beginning. No matter how difficult or dark a period may seem, there’s always the promise of fresh starts and brighter days ahead.

After sharing these life’s lessons, Dr. Edwards added, “Today, as we celebrate spring, the spirit of international friendship, and the spiritual significance of these cherry blossom trees, let us remember to practice mindfulness, simplify our lives, be grateful for small joys, and embrace change.”

She thanked Clark’s grounds crew for working hard to maintain the college campus. Then she added, “We’re proud that Clark College can be a place of beauty and reflection for everyone in Vancouver. And I know that both Royce Pollard and Bob Knight would be proud of that legacy, too.”

Next, Clark College Treble Ensemble, directed by Dr. Jacob Funk, performed songs including “Sakura,” a traditional Japanese folk song depicting spring, the season of cherry blossoms.

Butterfly Garden

An outdoor butterfly garden near Anderson Fountain was a new and very popular addition to Sakura Festival. A long, steady line of students, Clark employees, and community members—many of them parents with young children—waited patiently for an opportunity to spend five minutes in the netted enclosure staffed by Student Life.

Once inside the net structure, visitors quietly interacted with 150 painted lady butterflies. Holding swabs soaked in nectar, visitors enticed the butterflies to perch and feed from their hands. Many of the visitors were young children, delighted in the up-close experience to marvel at these delicate, fluttering creatures.

In Japanese culture, butterflies carry rich symbolic meaning, frequently appearing in traditional art, literature, and aesthetics. They often represent transformation, the beauty of nature, and the fleeting nature of life.

After the butterfly garden closed, ASCC student volunteers gently collected the butterflies. Beheshta Eqbali, a member of Clark’s Phi Theta Kappa honors society, cradled a butterfly in each hand, pausing to admire their bright orange wings before placing them in a mesh enclosure for transport.

Gaiser Student Center

When the outdoor portion of the ceremony concluded, hundreds of people moved indoors to Gaiser Student Center, where guests enjoyed many activities and presentations, including:

• Cherry blossom cookies made by students in Professional Baking & Pastry Arts
• Display tables included a tea ceremony, Ikebana (flower arranging), Japanese calligraphy, Japanese Club, and Kendo Club
• Video tribute to former Mayor Royce Pollard and former Clark President Bob Knight

Cultural Performances

• Video tribute to former Mayor Royce Pollard and former Clark President Bob Knight
• Haiku presented by the Japanese Club
• Nostalgic traditional Japanese Dance “Fuji Musume” (Wisteria Maiden)
• Adorable art shared by Clark College Child and Family Study’s, kimono-clad children 
• Energetic show by Takohachi drum group 

Did You Know…?

Tucked between the vibrant blooms and quiet pathways of Clark College, the Royce E. Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden is more than a scenic spot – it’s a living symbol of international friendship and local pride.

• Celebration of Friendship:
  Dedicated during the 2012 Sakura Festival, the garden honors former Vancouver mayor and Clark College trustee Royce E. Pollard, whose vision helped forge the sister city bond between Vancouver and Joyo, Japan. His legacy now blooms each spring in a sea of cherry blossoms.

• A Landscape of Meaning:
  Every curve and stone in the garden tells a story. The winding path mirrors the mighty Columbia River, connecting people and places across our region. Sculpted earth mounds reflect the soft rise and fall of nearby hills, while a striking stone sculpture from Japan pays tribute to the mountains that define our skyline.
• Roots of Generosity:
  The garden’s iconic cherry trees are two special gifts. In 1990, Mr. John Kageyama of America Kotobuki donated the first 100 Shirofugen cherry trees. Nearly three decades later, Mr. Tatsuo Ito of SEH America extended that legacy with 200 Somei Yoshino trees, ensuring the blossoms will inspire generations to come.

More information

• Learn more about the history of our Sakura Festival here.
• Read The Columbian’s 2025 Sakura story here.
• More photos can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC9pui
• The lifespan of a painted lady butterfly is 14 to 28 days. Learn 10 facts about painted lady butterflies here.

Photos: Jenny Shadley/Clark College

Clark College hosted more than 350 high school students from across five counties for its annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs Showcase on April 15.

Students from grades 9 through 12 explored Clark’s degrees and programs and learned about a wide range of CTE programs offered at Clark, gaining insight into potential career pathways and educational opportunities.

Sponsored by Guided Pathways, this year’s event included attendance from 25 high schools across seven Clark County school districts. Participating schools outside of Clark County drove all the way from Stevenson (Skamania County); Glenwood, Klickitat, and Lyle (Klickitat County); Kalama (Cowlitz County); and Mossyrock High School (Lewis County).

Some of the student engagement included:

• Professor-Chef Aaron Guerra led a group of high school students through the cuisine kitchens at McClaskey Culinary Institute. He said, “I’m an example of living your dream. I followed my heart, followed my passion, worked hard, and built a great career.” He added, “It takes hard work to be successful in life—and in the kitchen.”
• Across campus in the Diesel Technology lab classroom, Professor Jeff Rush told students: “Learning electrical is a long path. But it can open doors to a great career in diesel technology.”
• In the STEM Building, engineering professors Tina Barsotti and Carol Hsu led students in an engineering challenge to design and build a helicopter-like device that can carry cargo. Caleb Gross from Ridgefield High School and Daeannamae Beckey from Columbia River High School teamed up and used ChatGPT to find detailed plans for building their copter.

Gaby Posteuca, a Clark admissions recruiter who helped coordinate the event, said, “What a turnout we had for our CTE showcase this year! It was gratifying to see hundreds of students who were engaged in the workshop activities and asking questions. I am confident that this event sparked the high school students to consider their future career and how Clark College can help them attain their career goals.”

Exploring Career Pathways

Each high school student chose two workshops to attend from a list of offerings, including observing CTE classes in action. These included allied health programs Health Information Management, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Pharmacy Tech, and Surgical Technology; Automotive Technology, Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management, Diesel Technology, Welding Technology, Mechatronics, Engineering, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Cuisine Management, Professional Baking and Pastry Arts and Early Childhood Education and more.

Workshops in Gaiser Hall included financial aid and scholarships, admissions, career exploration, Running Start, and more.

All over campus, high school students met Clark faculty, learned about specific programs, experienced demonstrations, and participated in hands-on activities.

Finally, the students gathered in Gaiser Student Center for boxed lunches and a Resource Fair, where they made connections and asked questions of Clark staff from Admissions, CTE Dual Credit, Financial Aid, Tutoring Services, MESA, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and more. Gaiser Hall was buzzing with staff assisting students to plan for their future careers.

Participating Clark County High Schools

• Battle Ground: Battle Ground High School, Prairie High School
• Camas: Camas High School, Discovery High School, Hayes Freedom High School
• Evergreen: Evergreen High School, Henrietta Lacks High School, Heritage High School, Legacy High School, Legacy-Open Doors, Mountain View High School
• Hockinson: Hockinson High School
• Ridgefield: Ridgefield High School
• Vancouver: Columbia River High School, Fort Vancouver High School, Hudson’s Bay High School, Skyview High School, Vancouver Flex Academy
• Washougal: Washougal High School

Participating Schools Beyond Clark County

• Cowlitz County: Kalama High School
• Klickitat County: Glenwood High School, Klickitat High School, Lyle High School
• Lewis County: Mossy Rock High School
• Skamania County: Stevenson High School

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College invites the community to enjoy two vibrant, family-friendly Latiné cultural events on campus this April. Día del Niño (Day of the Child) will be held on Friday, April 25, and Noche de Familia (Family Night) follows on Tuesday, April 29. Both events take place at the Gaiser Student Center on the college’s main campus at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. Admission is free, and all are welcome.

Día Del Niño

Clark College Celebrates Latiné Culture

Schedule:

• 6 p.m. – Traditional foods will be served; environmentally friendly games, arts and crafts
• 7 p.m. – Reading by Author Duncan Tonatiuh
• 7:30 p.m. – Vancouver Ballet Folklórico Dance Performance
• 8 p.m. – Live Salsa band and dancing

View the complete schedule

About author Duncan Tonatiuh

Duncan Tonatiuh is an award-winning author-illustrator. He is both Mexican and American. He grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He graduated from Parsons School of Design and Eugene Lang College in New York City. His artwork is inspired by Pre-Columbian art, particularly that of the Mixtec codices. His aim is to create images and stories that honor the past, but that are relevant to people, especially children, nowadays. https://duncantonatiuh.com/

Noche de Familia

• When: Tuesday, April 29 from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Where: Gaiser Student Center
• What: This free, public includes activities for kids and dinner for all. It is offered twice per year by the college and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  All are welcome!
• Why: This is a special night for Latiné families to learn about academic options and resources available at Clark.

Attendees will have opportunities to speak with Clark representatives from many departments including Financial Aid, Transitional Services, Workforce Education Services, Disability Access Center, Counseling and Health Center, Career Services, and more. Workshops will be offered to explain the processes of applying for Clark College and applying for financial aid. Information will be available in both Spanish and English.

More Information

Día del Niño (Day of the Child) on Friday, April 25 – https://www.clark.edu/about/arts-events/latino-celebration/

Noche de Familia (Family Night) on Tuesday, April 29 – https://www.clark.edu/about/arts-events/noche-de-familia/

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Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds. If you need any accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Clark College’s Human Resources Office. Phone: 360-992-2105 Email: hr@clark.edu

Clark College’s beloved Sakura Festival returns Thursday, April 17, inviting the community to gather beneath blooming cherry trees in celebration of friendship between cultures. Presented in partnership with the city of Vancouver and the Vancouver Rotary, this free event blends tradition, community, and springtime beauty.

Opening remarks begin at 1 p.m. in the Royce Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden, located next to Beacock Music Hall on Clark’s main campus. In case of inclement weather, the event will be inside Gaiser Student Center.

New this year: Hosted by Student Life, there will be a special display and release of a Butterfly Garden. In the Japanese culture, butterflies hold deep symbolic meaning, representing transformation, renewal, and the fleeting beauty of life. They also signify the connection between the physical and natural worlds. Butterfly motifs are often featured in Japanese literature, various art form, textile, and household items, serving as a celebration of beauty, fragility, and harmony with nature.

History of Sakura Festival at Clark College

More than 25 years ago, the City of Vancouver received a gift of friendship: 100 Shirofugen cherry trees from Mr. John Kageyama, President of America Kotobuki in commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of Washington’s statehood. These trees were planted at Clark College, creating an enduring reminder of the bonds between our region and Japan.

Twenty years after the trees were planted, Clark College was bequeathed another generous gift from Dr. Chihiro Kanagawa, CEO of Shin-Etsu to build a Japanese Friendship Garden. At his request, the garden was named the Royce E. Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden to commemorate former Mayor Pollard’s role in promoting international friendship.

Both Royce Pollard and Bob Knight attended the dedication ceremony on April 19, 2012. At the time, Knight was Clark College president, and Pollard was a Clark College trustee.  Both men passed away recently. Knight passed in December 2024; Pollard passed in February 2025.

Over the years, those trees have grown and blossomed—as has that friendship, creating traditions like the establishment in 1995 of a sister-city relationship between Vancouver and Joyo, Japan, and our annual Sakura Festival, begun in 2006. 

Learn more about the history of the Sakura Festival. 

Sakura Schedule 

12:50 p.m.– Koto performance by Yukiko Vossen, accompanied by LeeAnn McKenna

1:00 p.m. – Ceremony and greetings from:

• Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards
• City of Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle
• Mr. Yuzo Yoshioka, Consul General of Japan
• Clark College student, Nicole Vara, who studied in Japan

1:30 p.m. – Clark College Treble Ensemble performance

1:40 p.m. – Enroute to the Gaiser Student Center, guests are invited to enjoy the Japanese garden and top stop by Anderson Fountain to visit the Student Life Butterfly Garden.

2 p.m. – Butterflies Release, Andersen Fountain Courtyard

• Butterflies hold significant symbolic meaning in Japanese culture, representing a variety of themes and ideas. Their imagery appears frequently in traditional Japanese art, literature, and aesthetics, embodying various aspects of life, nature, and the human experience.

2 p.m. – Activities, displays and performances, Gaiser Student Center

• Haiku reading by Clark College Japanese Club
• Traditional Japanese Noh performance “Fuji Musume” (Wisteria Maiden)
• Art share by children enrolled in Child and Family Studies program
• Taiko Drum performance by Takohachi Taiko
• Variety of cultural displays and demonstration tables around the room.
• Hand-painted cherry blossom cookies by the college’s Professional Baking & Pastry Arts students.   

3:15 p.m. – Event adjourns

On a blustery, rainy day, students returned to Clark College for the first day of spring term on April 7. Pink and white blossoms fell from trees and danced through the wind as students shouldering backpacks hurried to classes on the main campus.

Students were greeted by Clark staff members volunteering at information tables inside buildings around campus. Helpful volunteers answered students’ questions, offered directions, provided campus maps and more. These information tables were successful in helping students feel welcomed.

Inside Bauer Hall, a student stepped up to an information table and asked for help in finding his class.

“Who teaches your class?” asked the volunteer.

The student replied, “Robert Weston. Room 106.”

The volunteer looked at the building map, pointed, and said, “Just down that hallway.”

Similar scenarios played out all over campus as students navigated to their new classes.

First Day at Boschma Farms

Almost 15 miles from the main campus, the first-ever class of students arrived at the Advanced Manufacturing Center at Boschma Farms in Ridgefield. Balloons tethered to a welcome sign greeted students at the new Clark College location. During spring term, the college has scheduled a soft opening with general education classes at the AMC.

The first student to arrive was Victor Gonzalez, who was heading for Professor Brenda Rosencrans’ Math 111 algebra class upstairs in classroom 208. As soon as Gonzalez stepped through the front door, he was greeted by a contingent of staff and faculty.  Then he was offered a Penguin gift bag by his algebra professor and Vice President of Instruction William “Terry” Brown. Gonzalez was surprised that his class was being held in a brand-new building and that his was the first class to convene there.

Gonzalez, who is pursuing a degree in computer science, said his advisor and professors told him about Clark’s new Bachelor of Science in computer science program that is starting in the fall. He is looking forward to learning more about it as he steps toward his future career in computer science.

After all the algebra students had arrived, they posed with Professor Rosencrans, Dr. Brown, and other Clark staff on the stairway of the building. Then it was time to head to their classroom.

Following their class, several students asked for a tour of the building. Professor Will Zander of the new Advanced Manufacturing program showed them around.

Advanced Manufacturing Quick Facts

During fall term, the first cohort of Clark’s new advanced manufacturing program will begin at the Advanced Manufacturing Center.

• Building: Advanced Manufacturing Center at Boschma Farms
• Program: Advanced Manufacturing
• Two-year degree: Integrated Technician, Associate in Applied Technology (98 credits)
• Certificate of Achievement, Introduction to Manufacturing (36 credits)
• Certificate of Proficiency, Manufacturing Operator (47 credits)
• First cohort begins: Fall 2025

Learn more

• Read The Columbian’s story about the first day at the AMC at Boschma Farms: https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/apr/07/help-us-meet-the-critical-need-clark-colleges-new-boschma-farms-capus-in-ridgefield-welcomes-students/

• Advanced Manufacturing Center at Boschma Farms: https://www.clark.edu/about/visitors-guide/getting-to-clark/boschma/

• Advanced Manufacturing Academic Plan in Clark College catalog: https://catalog.clark.edu/academic-plans/advanced-manufacturing/#academicplanstext

Clark College celebrated a very special birthday on April 3 as students, staff, and faculty gathered in the Basic Needs Hub to honor Oso, the campus’s beloved therapy dog, on his fourth birthday.

Party hats, dog videos, gifts, and donations of pet food filled the room—as Oso soaked up the love. The celebration was organized by Oso’s favorite person, Basic Needs Navigator Caitlin Malvar, who invited the campus community with this message:

“One of the best days of the year is soon approaching! Our furry colleague, Oso, is turning 4! Please join us April 3 from noon to 1 p.m. to celebrate! Oso’s birthday wish is to host a pet food and toy drive for our students who have pets in need! Please feel free to bring unopened pet food and toys to the party. All donations will be distributed to students in the Basic Needs Hub and Penguin Pantry.”

The party not only celebrated a cherished campus companion but also supported Clark students and their pets—just the kind of gift Oso would have wished for. The Clark community donated more than 50 items: packages of dog and cat food, plus pet toys.

In addition, Oso eagerly tore open his own gifts—much like any four-year-old would. He latched onto a special red stuffie dog—and wouldn’t let it go.

Malvar said: “I want to thank the Clark community for celebrating Oso with me. But even more important, for supporting our Basic Needs Hub, which is vital to our students.”

Donate Unopened Pet Food

If you didn’t have an opportunity to attend Oso’s birthday party and would like to donate unopened pet food, stop by the Basic Needs Hub and say hello to Oso.

Malvar said, “Oso comes to campus with me most days. But occasionally, he is off on adventures in the woods with his other parent.”

• Basic Needs Hub hours: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Learn more: https://www.clark.edu/campus-life/student-support/basic-needs/

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish