Another academic year closes at LCC

Lower Columbia College had some great outcomes this 2022-23 academic year:

• LCC completed the Library/Learning Commons renovation;

• LCC substantially completed the design phase a proposed 46,000 square foot vocational and career and college preparation building;

• LCC’s substantially completed the Administration Building exterior renovation;

• LCC’s inaugural BAS-Organizational Leadership and Technical Management student cohort graduated;

• LCC gained the requisite state approvals for its Bachelor of Science, Nursing, pending approvals from our accrediting bodies;

• LCC nursing received funding for new simulators for its labs;

• LCC’s Speech and Debate team continued to be one of the top community college programs in the nation;

• LCC’s athletic program continued to shine, with four of the six teams winning west division titles;

• LCC Baseball won the NWAC title again, with two of our athletes earning national All-American status, at least one national top ten ranking and our head coach was named National Coach of the Year;

• LCC’s Finance Office was rewarded with another findingfree audit by the State Auditor’s Office;

• The LCC Foundation had a fantastic fundraising year, raising well over $4.2 million in new gifts and pledges this year and achieving a net equity of over $24 million;

• LCC managed to finish the year well within its budget and added a significant amount of reserves to its net position leaving us in our best financial condition since 2016;

• LCC administration and faculty representatives were able to successfully ratify a new three-year contract;

• LCC developed a new diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan for campus implementation;

• LCC’s international program successfully brought back its short-term program with Atomi University, Japan, and began cultivating the market in South Korea;

• Of the 21 international students spring quarter, 17 made either the President’s List or Dean’s List;

• Continuing Education and Corporate Training revenues have significantly increased over the past two years;

• The recent PACE Vitality and Climate Survey continues to reflect a strong campus climate at Lower Columbia College; and,

• Community (external) surveys show high satisfaction with LCC.

For nearly 90 years, Lower Columbia College has made a significant impact on our local community. Our team looks forward to the academic year ahead. Our faculty and staff remain committed to our goals of transforming lives through education and remaining a powerful force for improving the quality of life in our community.

Business fair planned for September

The Washington Small Business Fair has been an annual event since 1997 and more than 4,800 people have attended overall.

To better serve the small business communities on both sides of the state, organizers are trying something new this year. Biz Fair 2023 will be an in-person event, hosted Sept. 23 in both Pierce County and Spokane County.

Location, program schedule, keynote speakers, and registration details are coming soon at bizfair.org

AWB Washington Employers Survey available

From the Association of Washington Business website Washington employers are experiencing slower growth amid ongoing inflationary and workforce challenges. While many remain concerned about the possibility of a recession, employers are still generally optimistic about growth for their own business. You’ll find a few of the insights from AWB’s spring 2023 survey of Washington employers, a quarterly look at the issues and perspectives facing businesses of all sizes throughout Washington here. You can download a printable version of the survey results here.

Kelso among grant recipients

The Washington Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Washington Festivals and Events Association (WFEA) and ArtsWA, has awarded more than $3 million in grants to 200 community events and festivals, including Kelso, that either had to suspend operations or restart due to the pandemic.

The grants provide much-needed support to “legacy-level” events, festivals, civic and holiday celebrations, cultural and heritage events, music festivals, and street and arts fairs – those that have taken place for five or more years – in communities with populations of 100,000 or less.

“Festivals and events are important to a community’s sense of place. They bring residents together and visitors from out of town,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. “Many of these celebrations also support other causes, from local food banks to college scholarship programs. They are an essential part of Commerce’s mission of strengthening communities and growing Washington’s economy.”

Grants could be used to restart local festivals and events suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic or to stabilize depleted budgets...

Read the complete press release here and view a full list of grant recipients here.

The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to THANK the following loyal members for renewing their partnership with us this month.

Alston Cleaning

Art Renaissance Team

Catlin Properties Inc (CPI)

Kelley Connect

Kelso Longview Kiwanis

Lisa Thompson and Ken Blanchard Keller

Williams Premier Partners

Long View Impact Inc

Pacific Office Automation

PeaceHealth St. John Wellness

Performance Sheet Metal, Inc

Safecover Roofing, LLC

Sessions Plumbing & Heating, Inc

Sho'me Real Estate Specialty Rents

The Jewelers Bench, Inc

Waite Speciality Machine, Inc

Windermere Northwest Living Longview

YMCA

Youth and Family Link

Kelso Public Schools

Mary Beth Tack Superintendent

Hats off to the Class of 2023

In the midst of preparing for the upcoming school year and readying to welcome a new set of young students to our district, we would like to give one last tip of the cap to the class of 2023. We are proud of the determination and effort they showed in finishing the year strong. As they make their way into the world, we are confident they will continue to carry the Kelso tradition of excellence into their endeavors and, hopefully, keep the Hilander blue and gold close to their hearts.

Kelso’s Class of 2023 by the Numbers

357 – total graduates

120 – students (34 percent) recognized for academic achievement and scholarships

35 – students (10 percent) graduated with an AA degree

88 – students (25 percent) received scholarships

$3.1 million – in total scholarships

24 – colleges and universities gave a total of $1,910,265

95 – scholarships totaling $161,600 awarded by Kelso Public Schools Foundation

34 – awards were given from community organizations totaling $60,577

13 – scholarships totaling $975,680 awarded by branches of the military

We are so very grateful for everyone in our community and beyond who contributed to the Class of 2023 scholarships. Your gifts make all the difference. Thank you.

For a list of scholarship donors and recipients, see page four of the summer Hilander Highlights