President Robert K. Knight

Clark College President Robert K. Knight has been named Clark County’s 2016 First Citizen, an award recognizing a Clark County resident who has modeled exemplary citizenship through their actions and service to the community. The award, which was announced in July, will be presented to Knight at a reception on November 2.

“I am honored by this prestigious recognition from the people I feel lucky to have called friends and neighbors for nearly two decades,” said Knight upon learning of the award. “Knowing that I am now counted among such amazing contributors to our community inspires me to continue serving that community in any way I can.”

The nomination focused heavily on Knight’s career at Clark College, where he is said to have “brought stability to a position he did not seek.” Knight, who originally joined the college as vice president of Administrative Services in 2004 and was named acting president in 2006, has overseen several major achievements at the college, including: construction of both Clark College at Columbia Tech Center and a new state-of-the-art, 70,000 square-foot building devoted to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; the opening of the college’s Veterans Resource Center; and one of the largest enrollment spurts of any community college in Washington State. Last year, Clark was listed among the nation’s 150 best community colleges by the Aspen Institute. Much of this success is the result of Knight’s leadership, which is defined by his ability to listen intently, build relationships, support others and foster collaboration.

Letters of support also noted Knight’s giving of time and resources, off campus and outside of work. For years, Knight volunteered 30-to-40 hours each month in addition to overseeing the college. He was a leadership force behind the City of Vancouver’s 150th anniversary celebration and was important in bringing the Vietnam Traveling Wall to Vancouver. His involvement was instrumental in bringing prominent speakers to the region for the George C. Marshall Lecture Series, which included news anchor Tom Brokaw and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. In 2000, he helped Vancouver become one of only six cities in the nation selected to host a regional commemoration for the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, which drew a crowd of 3,000 to the Vancouver National Historic Reserve.

Described as “one of the most active community volunteers in our region” by former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, Knight has given his time and talents to organizations including the local chapter of the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington, the Columbia River Economic Development Council, Fort Vancouver National Trust, Greater Portland, Washington State University Vancouver and Workforce Southwest Washington.

In truth, though, Knight’s service began long before he landed in Clark County and reaches far beyond this region. For 21 years, he served with the U.S. Army in various ranks and across two continents. Numerous letters of support cited his military career as an example of his leadership, especially during his role as commander of the Vancouver Barracks when the base was targeted for closure. Knight convened community members in a thoughtful, open process that Vesta Hospitality CEO Rick Takach characterizes as being “critical to the jewel that is the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.”

In all, each of the 29 letters of support—seven of which came from former First Citizens—demonstrate how Knight has shown effectiveness in leadership roles, raised standards and expectations, strengthened community identity and civic pride.

“In everything he does and every role he performs, Bob always puts service over self, mission over personal interest,” wrote former U.S. Representative Brian Baird. “Without question, Vancouver, Clark County, Southwest Washington and indeed our nation are better places because of Bob Knight.”

About the First Citizen Award

Recipients of the First Citizen Award, presented since 1939, are selected by a volunteer committee of community leaders and past award recipients. Recipients are chosen for their accomplishments and contributions to the community in a number of areas, including effectiveness in leadership roles, raising community standards and expectations, strengthening community identity and civic pride, and exemplary giving of time, self and resources. For a full listing of criteria and past recipients, please visit www.cfsww.org/our-community/first-citizen.

About the First Citizen Awards Event

Knight will receive the First Citizen Award during a community event scheduled for Wednesday, November 2 at Warehouse ‘23. The event will begin at 4 p.m., with the formal awards program at 5 p.m. Regents Bank is the presenting sponsor of the First Citizen Award reception. Biggs Insurance and PeaceHealth are supporting sponsors, and the event is organized in partnership with The Columbian and the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. Tickets for the event are $35 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by visiting www.columbian.com/firstcitizen.

President Bob Knight presents IT Specialist Rick Bartz with a Presidential Coin at the 2014 State of the College address.

In 2007, Clark College President Bob Knight introduced a new honor at Clark College: the Presidential Coin.

The coin is given to faculty and staff members who provide exemplary service to Clark students, the college and the community. 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.

Four Clark College employees received Presidential Coins during the State of the College address on January 16. They were:

Rick Bartz

In his 19 years as a media specialist at Clark, Rick Bartz has amassed extensive knowledge of the college and its programs, knowledge that allows him to provide a high level of service. He works part of his shift in the evening and is available to support evening events and faculty teaching night classes. Bartz has also been involved in the installation of the majority of smart classrooms across campus.

“He has an upbeat attitude that is frequently commented upon by the customers he supports,” said President Knight. “He is frequently called in to do last-minute setups which he does without complaint.”

Mike Godson

Automotive Technology professor Mike Godson has already earned many awards in his field. In 2009, he scored the highest out of nearly 15,000 people on the national L1 (advanced engine performance) exam, earning him L1 Master Technician of the Year award from Automotive Service Excellence and Motor Age Training. He was also chosen to present in the Faculty Speaker Series in 2012. Beginning 2012 and continuing today, he led the department in the curriculum development and program transition to a “stand-alone” T-TEN program. He has also held a leadership role at the national level with Toyota for over a decade.

Mirranda Saari

Beginning as a Program Coordinator 10 years ago, Mirranda Saari has received a number of promotions for her outstanding performance, including to her current role is Associate Director of Admissions and Assessment. She has played a lead role on several key projects: our Lean initiative in student affairs, strengthening community partnerships, and our fall enrollment initiatives.  She also represents Clark as a subject matter expert in our PeopleSoft (ctcLink) conversion.

“She strives to improve efficiencies and deliver the best in customer service to our students,” said President Knight in presenting the coin. “She has earned the respect and of her staff through listening and advocacy, she has a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.”

Jenny Shadley

Working in the Office of Communications and Marketing for more than six years, Graphic Designer/Photographer Jenny Shadley has become a familiar face around the college as she photographs special events, takes portraits of employees and students, and works with different departments to provide high-quality graphic design to support their programs and events.

“She is always willing to jump in and help, whether it as an Art Committee member or managing social media,” said President Knight. “She has a consistently positive attitude, thinking of the best ways to promote the Penguin Nation and help others look good.”

President Robert K. Knight pauses for a moment in his 2014 State of the College address.

At 80 years old, Clark College still has plenty to learn–that was the message Clark College President Robert K. Knight conveyed in his annual State of the College address.

Knight took a moment to acknowledge that the college was in the midst of celebrating its 80th anniversary, but then said that, rather than focusing on the past, “I have been … thinking about what steps we can continue to take to ensure that Clark College at 100 is the vibrant and important place that it is today.”

Knight said that he thought the college was “on the right path” in that respect, pointing to recent accomplishments such as a very successful accreditation visit by representatives of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, during which the commission acknowledged the improvements Clark has made in the area of shared governance.

Presidential Coin recipient and Automotive Technology professor Mike Godson, right, with Dick Hannah representative Gary Schuler. Godson and Schuler worked together to help create a partnership that allows aspiring automotive technicians to take classes at Clark College and work at Dick Hannah simultaneously.

Other recent accomplishments Knight noted included:

• Receiving funding for a new building on the main campus dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), scheduled to break ground in summer 2014;
• Recent state approval for a $35 million satellite location in northern Clark County at a site still to be determined;
• The success of the Clark College Foundation’s “Ensuring a Bright Future” fundraising campaign, which is predicted to reach its goal of $20 million in spring 2014;
• The introduction of a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene, the first bachelor’s degree to be offered by the college;
• A statewide record in the number of online courses certified by Quality Matters;
• The opening of a Veterans Resource Center on the main campus to help the college’s estimated 800 student veterans;
• The continued development of a new Strategic Plan for the years 2015-2020;
• Clark’s leadership role in transitioning to ctcLink;
• New programs and opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge learning in the automotive, aeronautics, and bioscience fields;
• National awards won by Phoenix, Clark’s journal of arts and literature;
• Increased enrollment in Clark’s Honors Program.

Knight acknowledged that Clark’s enrollment has decreased for the first time in recent years. “We expected that,” he said. “It’s a good thing, because it means that people are finding jobs. We expect enrollment to continue to go down a little bit.”

President Knight with Che’yna Shotwell. Shotwell, a junior at Mountain View High School, is part of the Penguin Promise partnership between Clark College and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington, which provides Clark College scholarships to those students who fulfill the program’s stringent academic requirements. She is on track to become the first student to receive such a scholarship from the program, which was announced at the 2013 State of the College address.

Knight explained that administration and staff were already discussing how to manage the college’s enrollment. “We have to determine what is the right size for Clark College,” he said. Then he added, “As we continue to be the most over-enrolled community college in Washington, we haven’t turned away students yet.”

Knight stressed that any decisions about the college’s future would need to be based on whether or not they helped students learn. “As long as I am president, we will never forget that the student comes first and is the only reason we have a job and the only reason we’re here,” he said.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

See more photos on our Flickr page.

View the entire speech on CVTV.

President Knight delivering the 2013 State of the College Address.

Clark College President Robert K. Knight will give the annual State of the College address on Thursday, Jan. 16. As the college celebrates its 80th anniversary, President Knight will update the college and members of the community in the address, which he says will focus on “Looking Forward at 80.”

Among the topics that President Knight will be discussing are the plans to break ground on the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) building in the summer of 2014, the progress of strategic planning efforts at the college, and the role of new programs and partnerships.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 11 a.m. in Gaiser Student Center on the college’s main campus. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Wash. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

If you need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, you should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP), or visit Gaiser Hall room 137, as soon as possible.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark College student Darryl Ramsey addressed guests at the Legislative Breakfast.

Clark College held its first Legislative Breakfast on December 6, inviting legislative leaders in the districts that the college serves to hear more about the college’s achievements and challenges.

The event got off to a late start due to an unexpected snowfall that had begun the night before. Nevertheless, six legislators were in attendance: Washington State Representatives Paul Harris, Jim Moeller, Liz Pike, Monica Stonier, Brandon Vick, and Sharon Wylie. Clark College Board of Trustees members Jada Rupley, Sherry Parker, and Chair Royce Pollard also attended, as did many staff, faculty and students.

As guests enjoyed breakfast fare (including pastries provided by the college’s Culinary Arts-Bakery program), they were welcomed by Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) President Dena Brill. President Bob Knight and Trustee Pollard also greeted attendees.

As a member of the Washington Community and Technical College system, Clark does not lobby the legislature directly, but Pollard laid out some of the key issues that Clark will be watching during the upcoming legislative session, including the continuing funding challenges created both by statewide budget problems and by underfunding of community colleges in particular. Also, Clark College’s north county project will be back before legislators this winter, as the project has been approved but funding has not yet been allocated. The project, which will provide a new Clark College facility in the northern portion of the Clark College service area, is likely at least 10 years away.

Dr. Peter Williams, Dean of STEM

President Knight spoke about the strong local support for the college, including some recent partnerships with business and industry, and about student success. Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Dr. Peter Williams provided legislators with a preview of many things happening in STEM and thanked them for their support of capital funding for two-year colleges. Clark College will break ground on a new STEM building in 2014.

Some of the biggest impact in the program came from Brill and another student, Darryl Ramsey, who is transitioning from military service to a career in network technology. Both students spoke to the legislators about the importance of the college in the community and in their own lives. They thanked the legislators for their support, and encouraged them to continue to keep Clark College in their minds as they went to Olympia.

Photos: Clark College/Jennifer Kirby

Clark College President Robert K. Knight and Columbia Credit Union President Steve Kenny cut the ribbon signifying the official opening of the simulation pharmacy.

More than 40 people gathered at Clark College at the Washington State University campus in Vancouver on September 30 for a ribbon-cutting event for the Columbia Credit Union Simulation Pharmacy. The celebration honored the community credit union for its $65,000 gift that led to remodeling the 500-square-foot pharmacy and purchasing new lab equipment and supplies.

The crowd cheered as the ribbon was cut on Clark’s new Columbia Credit Union Simulation Pharmacy.

Clark’s Pharmacy Technician program relocated to Clark College’s building on the WSUV campus last year, in the process expanding the program’s footprint and enhancing the college’s quest to be the premier Pharmacy Technician program in the region. The new lab allows students to practice skills and simulate activities they will encounter on the job in pharmacy settings, such as setting up sterile IV bags and packaging medications.

Clark College President Robert K. Knight and Columbia Credit Union President Steve Kenny cut the ribbon signifying the official opening of the simulation pharmacy.

“We appreciate our community partners that bring that margin of excellence to Clark College,” said Knight, adding, “Columbia Credit Union is a partner we can always count on.”

Kenny said the bank has served the community since 1952. “We are proud to support higher education,” he said.

Kenny added a personal story about his son, a Clark alumnus, who began as a Running Start student, enrolled in a medical program at Clark, and is now a licensed X-ray technician “who, at 26, just purchased his first home,” he said. “Education truly makes a difference.”

Pharmacy Technician student Dixie Fisher gave a tour of the simulation pharmacy following the ribbon cutting.

Pharmacy Technician student Dixie Fisher is excited about the way education is reshaping her life. Fisher, who was on hand to give tours of the new simulation pharmacy, shared her own story with visitors. A year ago, she was a stay-at-home mom with six children when a storm flooded her home and forced her family to take shelter in a hotel for eight months. With time on her hands and her job prospects bleak, Fisher visited Clark College; she’d heard about its Pharmacy Technician program and wanted to learn more. Now Fisher, 36, is in the last quarter of the program and hopes to get a job at Kaiser Permanente, where she’s been interning, and perhaps return to Clark one day to teach in the program.

Pharmacy technicians are in high demand because of the large number of locations that employ technicians and an aging population who require care. In the state of Washington, more than 1.2 million residents will be age 65 or older by 2020, according to a panel convened by the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council.

Pharmacy Tech instructor Heidi Fey and department head Dawn Shults attend the opening of the new Columbia Credit Union simulation pharmacy.

Sixteen states in the nation require certification for pharmacy technicians, and only six require licenses. Washington is one of the six that mandates a license, says Dawn Shults, Pharmacy Technician Department head.

Clark students can earn a certificate and be workforce-ready in a year or go on to earn an Associate in Applied Technology degree that prepares them for leadership roles within a pharmacy setting. They can transfer to Central Washington University for a Bachelor of Applied Technology degree in business management.

To see more photos from the event visit our Flickr site.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

On March 29, Clark College’s Mature Learning program celebrated its 40th anniversary by doing what it does best: providing diverse learning opportunities and a warm and welcoming community for seniors in Southwest Washington.

Guests who attended the half-day event, which was held at Clark College at Columbia Tech Center, were able to attend free “mini-classes” taught by favorite instructors from the program on topics as diverse as t’ai chi, the genetics of human evolution, drawing, and Benjamin Franklin’s time in Paris, to name just a few.

Mature Learning Program Manager Tracy Reilly Kelly, keynote speaker Dr. Larry Sherman, and Associate Vice President of Corporate & Continuing Education Kevin Kussman

The half-day event also featured a guest lecture from OHSU neuroscientist Dr. Larry Sherman, who spoke about his work figuring out how to, as he said, “fix a damaged brain–from trauma, stroke, Alzheimer disease or aging.” He said that the purpose of his work is to the keep the brain active for as long as possible, which is a major aim of the Mature Learning program as well.

“We truly do revere and respect our mature learners at Clark College,” said Clark College President Bob Knight during the opening event. “Not only are you students, you’re advocates for the college. We want to have a thriving program for you.”

Over its history, the Mature Learning program has grown to be one of the core offerings that Clark College provides, said Kevin Kussman, Associate Vice President of Corporate & Continuing Education. “More than ever we need to work to make sure people stay active and connected to their community,” he said during his speech to event attendees.

It’s worked for Garda Hoffman and Elizabeth Gold, who became close friends after meeting in a Mature Learning classroom. “I’ve made a great many friends via this program,” said Hofmann. “It is stimulating. It fills a great need in the community for older people.”

Though Mature Learning students may not have homework, “these are real college classes,” said Mature Learning volunteer and student Margaret Zuke. All instructors are either college professors or experts in their field.

“There’s nothing better than having such an engaged group of students,” said Steve Carlson. Once a Clark College student himself, then Clark faculty in 1977-78 before going on to teach at Portland State University, Carlson is now a geology instructor with Mature Learning and is planning a trip for students to Mount Hood and Crater Lake.

A light lunch was served, followed by the presentation of the Mature Learning Volunteer of the Year Award to Dr. Cleo Pass for her 12 years of work with the Mature Learning program. Dr. Pass, who will be teaching a course at CTC on Sherlock Holmes in spring, said that the “overwhelming” award was a “thank you for doing something I thoroughly enjoy doing with the people I enjoy working with.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

President Knight bestows a Presidential Coin on Information Technology Application and Database Developer Andy Barsotti during the 2013 annual State of the College address.

As Clark College nears its 80th anniversary, its longevity can be seen both as one of its greatest challenges and as one of its greatest strengths. Clark College President Bob Knight explored that theme during his annual State of the College Address, held January 17 in Gaiser Student Center.

“When you’ve been part of a region for 80 years, most people know your name,” he said to an audience composed of Clark College employees, students, and community leaders. “They know of you. But they may not know much about you. Or they may remember you as you were years ago. They may not know who you are today.”

Knight went on to list some of the things that distinguish Clark College from other community colleges in the region, including its outstanding engineering, nursing, dental hygiene, welding, machining, automotive, diesel and other programs; its Running Start program (the largest in the state); its eLearning program, which 20 percent of all for-credit students participate in; its exemplary Mature Learning program; and its partnerships with regional development organizations including the Columbia River Economic Development Council, Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, WSU Vancouver, the High Tech Council of Clark County, and local school districts. He also noted that last year Clark became Washington state’s largest single-campus community college in terms of for-credit classes, serving 26,000 students each year.

“We are not the small college that many people remember,” he said. “We are big, and we are growing.”

President Bob Knight gives the 2013 State of the College address.

Knight elaborated on the many ways Clark is growing, both physically–through such projects as a new STEM building on its main campus and a new campus in northern or central Clark County–as well as instructionally and organizationally. He noted that the college has begun developing new programs like Health Informatics and Mechatronics to meet new workforce needs, and may consider offering bachelor’s degrees in some fields in the future. He added that the college would work with WSU Vancouver in creating any such degree programs.

Knight listed other ways the college is growing and adapting. He highlighted the college’s recent use of lean processes to improve how both Student Affairs and Instruction function. He pointed out the benefits of two recent relocations: those of Corporate and Continuing Education and of Adult Basic Education/English as a Second Language. CCE’s move to downtown Vancouver, he said, has helped it to provide more support for the local business community. ABE/ESL’s move from Town Plaza to the “T Building” across Fort Vancouver Way from the main campus, meanwhile, has provided its students with greater access to student services and educational opportunity.

“We hope they will not just complete basic education, but will cross the road to continue their education by taking college courses,” Knight said of those ABE/ESL students.

Knight pointed out that all of these improvements and developments are being done at a time of deep budget cuts. At Clark’s 75th anniversary, he said, about 60 percent of the college’s funding came from the state; today, that number is below 40 percent. This has resulted in a higher economic burden on students, who have seen regular tuition increases–as well as on faculty and staff, who have accepted temporary 3-percent wage reductions.

Knight thanked the Clark College Foundation for its work in raising funds to improve programs despite state budget cuts–while acknowledging that such success creates its own challenge. “Ironically, because the Clark College Foundation does such great work, they have a perception problem,” he said. “Some people believe they have more than enough money to meet the needs of the college. That’s just not true.”

Knight concluded his speech by asking audience members–both employees and students, as well as friends and community leaders–to work together to support the college.

“Together, we can support our students’ dreams–and fulfill our vision for our college and our region–by putting Clark first,” he said.

Afterward, many in the audience walked across the street to view the new ABE/ESL facilities. One such person was Vancouver City Councilor Jeanne Harris, who attended Clark herself. As she walked, she said that she appreciated Knight’s overview of where the college is–and where it is heading.

“It helps those of us who are on campus maybe once a year to put it all together,” she said. “It made me proud of Clark College.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley