Bill Clinton speaks at Clark College

Former President Bill Clinton speaking at Clark College.

Normally, the first day of spring break on Clark College’s main campus feels like the calm after the storm. The parking lots are empty, faculty and students are home recovering from finals, and some offices are closed or on reduced hours. But on March 21, the campus swirled with activity after the Sunday announcement that former U.S. President Bill Clinton would be speaking in Gaiser Student Center that Monday evening.

Clinton was stumping in support of his wife’s 2016 presidential campaign, which had rented the college’s facilities for his appearance. He also appeared at Spokane Falls Community College and at Portland, Oregon’s Powell Books during the day as part of a whirlwind tour of Washington and Oregon in advance of Washington’s Saturday primary caucuses.

Lines began forming in the early afternoon for Clinton’s scheduled 5 p.m. appearance. By 3:30, the line stretched down the stairs on the south side of the Penguin Union Building and around the north walkway of Hanna Hall. In total, about 750 people crowded into Gaiser Student Center, with another 150 packed into PUB 161 to watch the speech as a live stream.

Former President Bill Clinton addressed a packed Gaiser Student Center during a campaign stop for his wife’s 2016 presidential bid.

While the bulk of the 42nd President of the United States’ speech concerned why his wife should be the 45th president, he did also touch on subjects relating to Clark College. “Look at this institution where we are right now,” he said, gesturing to the walls of Gaiser. “If America worked the way community colleges did, we’d have a lot fewer problems. It’s open to everybody. It’s constantly changing to adapt to the future. … It’s about creating a future where everybody has a chance.”

Clinton also emphasized the economic importance of increasing the amount of advanced manufacturing in the U.S., saying, “It’s the most productive part of every economy.” Clark College is currently planning a new facility teaching advanced manufacturing skills at its future location in Ridgefield, Clark College at Boschma Farms.

Clinton’s hour-long speech touched on access to higher education as well. “Every bit as much as a house, a degree is a lifetime asset,” he said, prompting cheers from a crowd that contained many Clark College students and employees.

This was a busy week for Vancouver. On Sunday, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke to a crowd of approximately 8,000 at Hudson’s Bay High School, just across the street from Clark.

Photos: Clark College/Wei Zhuang