Inside this issue: Scholarship donors reconnect..........page 3 Nursing, science labs updated............page 4 Golf Marathon breaks record...............page 6 LCC sports teams dominate..........page 7
On Giving Back The world’s second-richest man, Warren Buffet, recently donated much of his fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, directed by the world’s richest man and his wife. Buffet and his late wife, Susie, had always intended to donate much of their wealth to charity. “We agreed with Andrew Carnegie, who said that huge fortunes that flow in large part from society should in large part be returned to society,” Buffet said in a Fortune magazine interview. “Certainly neither Susie nor I ever thought we should pass huge amounts of money along to our children. Our kids are great. But I would argue that when your kids have all the advantages anyway, in terms of how they grow up and the opportunities they have for education —including what they learn at home—I would say it’s neither right nor rational to be flooding them with money.”
Look at two of our top scholars this year, Susan McNally, First Team Academic All-American, and Tadd Wheeler, winner of the national Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship. Without scholarships from the LCC Foundation, they might not have been able to attend LCC. These students are on the way up. They will make a difference in the world, and a better life for their children. The Reaching Higher Campaign donations are doing even more. They’re buying equipment for our nursing program and science labs, outfitting the new Fine Arts Center, buying library resources and helping us launch new programs, to name just a few projects. Together, we’re changing the world, right here. Pass it on!
Both Buffet and the Gateses see the opportunity to use their vast wealth to change the world. We don’t have vast wealth, but we have the opportunity to change the world. We know that education makes the world a better place, and the spirit of giving is alive in our community. The stunning response the LCC Foundation has received to its Reaching Higher major gift campaign—with donations now topping $3.5 million—really shows that local people want to help change the world, right here.
Dr. Jim McLaughlin, President Lower Columbia College
At LCC, we help people become successful. This is a chance to make somebody’s entire adult life more successful. Your gift to the college may make an opportunity for someone else to succeed—an opportunity they might not get without your help.
Catalyst is published by Lower Columbia College in coordination with the LCC Foundation. Please contact editor JoAnne Booth with your comments and information at: Lower Columbia College PO Box 3010 Longview, WA 98632 (360) 442-2111 jbooth@lowercolumbia.edu We like to feature our alumni in Catalyst and help you stay in touch with your friends at LCC. Please let us know what you’ve been doing. Contact JoAnne Booth.
A new home for the arts The new Fine and Performing Arts Center on the LCC campus is beginning to take shape. The construction firm Howard S. Wright of Seattle and Portland began construction in early August and plans to complete the project in fall of 2007. The Center will house a 500-seat auditorium, a 125-seat thrust theatre/lecture hall, the LCC Art Gallery, music practice rooms and classrooms. The state of Washington provided primary funding, while private donors are providing funds for needed items that weren’t funded by the State.
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Student, teacher reconnect through scholarship support Nadine (Greer) Coburn, a retired teacher, looks back at her LCC experience as “the best education I received” and wants you to know that. She also wanted her favorite LCC professor, Dr. Hughson Mooney, to know. She attended LCC (actually it was Lower Columbia Junior College then) in the early 1960s and just recently reconnected with Mooney, thanks to the LCC Foundation. Dr. Mooney and Coburn are both regular LCC Foundation scholarship donors, so the Foundation was able to help them connect. Coburn sponsors a nursing scholarship in memory of her parents, Carol and Clayton Greer. It’s been another good experience. “We’ve received such wonderful letters from the scholarship recipients over the years,” she says. “I feel really good about it. I’m sending these students out into the world, like my own kids.” After graduating from LC in 1962, Nadine went on to graduate from the University of Washington in Sociology and Education, and taught school, including some time substituting in local schools while her husband was overseas with the Air Force. Meanwhile, Dr. Mooney, who taught her History of Western Civilization, had moved on to Central Connecticut State near Hartford after several years at Lower Columbia. Dr. Mooney, who earned his PhD at Stanford and taught there before coming to LC, wrote to Nadine that he regretted leaving LC, “I should have counted my blessings in Longview… The environment, the way of life, the school, the students, the people suited me. The (Connecticut) college, now called university, of 15,000 was just too large and impersonal for me.” Today, he lives in a veterans’ home at Yountville, CA, about an hour from Nadine’s Bay Area home. This spring, Nadine and her friend and fellow LC grad Ann (Elsaas) Hetherington visited him. “We had lunch together and a wonderful visit.”
You can make a lasting gift in the new LCC Fine Arts Center. We’ll engrave your name or the name of someone you’d like to honor on an auditorium seat for $1,000 per seat. For information on naming opportunities, contact Merlene York, Lower Columbia College Foundation, at (360) 442-2131 or myork@lowercolumbia.edu.
Nadine Coburn, standing, and her friend and fellow LCC alum Ann (Elsaas) Hetherington visited their favorite LCC instructor, Dr. Hughson Mooney, this spring.
As she’s gotten older, Nadine says she’s come to really appreciate her hometown. “I think how wonderfully lucky Longview is to have this school.” Nadine graduated second in her class from R.A. Long High School. While most of the top students went on to 4-year schools, Nadine attended LC. Her parents owned a dairy farm and “LC was what we could afford.” Interestingly, Nadine said many of the kids who had gone on to a university returned to LC after a quarter or two. “When I went on to the UW, I quickly appreciated how much better an education I’d received here. It was the best education I received…. In those days, a lot of people didn’t take LC seriously. They thought of it as ‘glorified high school,’ but Lower Columbia was NOT just a continuation of high school. It was college. Not only did our instructors teach us at college level, but Dr. Mooney referred to us as ‘Miss Greer’ and ‘Mr. Smith’ and treated us like young men and women.” Dr. Mooney would like to hear from more of his students. If you’d like to write to him, his address is: Hughson Mooney, PO Box 1200, California State Veterans’ Home, Yountville, CA 94599.
Donations update nursing, science lab equipment Major donations are outfitting LCC’s nursing and science labs with wonderful new equipment. The Nursing Program has especially benefited. “Human simulation (see photo) is cutting-edge technology to teach problem-solving as well as skills in health care,” said Helen Kuebel, LCC’s Director of Nursing Programs. “The aviation industry has been using it for several years to train pilots. We are grateful to The Health Care Foundation and other major donors who are helping to equip the LCC nursing laboratory. The technology is expensive but research shows it’s worth the investment.” Other donors provided funds for IV simulators and nursing stations. The LCC Foundation helped secure funds from private foundations as well as individuals to help support LCC’s nursing and health programs. Merlene York, LCC Foundation Executive Director, says “We are very pleased that our donors have stepped forward to help bring this technology to LCC.” LCC’s science labs have also received new equipment, such as two mass spectrometers for the chemistry lab from Columbia Analytical; water purification equipment, deionizer and scales from PGE; and an ion chromatograph and spectrometer from Solvay Chemicals Inc. Donors have promised more science lab equipment for the future.
Gifts to Program Support and Equipment Needs Craig and Jeri Anneberg Fred and Barbara Bishop Boise Cascade Community Foundation for SW Washington
Gifts to Scholarship Support Anderson & Anderson Advisory, LLC John and Jenna Anderson Max and Karen Anderson Dr. Phillip G. Avalon B-W Construction, Inc.
Cowlitz Bank
Baker Lumber Company Inc.
Wayne and Kay Cochran
The Boeing Company
Richard and Tina Cygrymus
Boise Cascade
The Daily News
David and Nadine Coburn
Joe and Alona Fischer
Columbia Analytical Services
G. L. Booth, JG Davis & Associates, PLLC
Columbia Bank
Georgia-Pacific Foundation
E. Kenneth Henderson
Health Care Foundation J & S Foundation
Goldie Hegstad J & S Foundation
Ron and Ann Kaneko
Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce
Bob and Pauline Kirchner
Kelso Pow Wow Committee
KLOG-KUKN
Robert and Lynn Keys
Dottie K. Koontz
The Legacy Group, Ltd.
Lee Foundation
LFG Financial Group, Inc.
The Legacy Group, Ltd.
Longview Fibre Company
Longview Fibre Company Hughson Mooney
Longview Monticello Lions Club
NORPAC
Melvin D. Love
Pacific Fibre Products, Inc. Mary Paulsen-Bruce
Lower Columbia Pathologists, PS
Richard and Judi Peters
Cal and Kim Miller
Don and Pat Rodman
Jim and Marianne Mitchell
June L. Rose
Patrick and Wendy Nguyen
Steve and Maxine Vincent
PeaceHealth—St. John Medical Center
Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
P. J. Peterson and Stephen Jones
John and Phyllis Westervelt
Terry L. Reiniger Estate
Weyerhaeuser Company
Don and Pat Rodman
Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation
The Stanley B. and June L. Rose Foundation
Rosina E. Williamson Living Trust
State of Washington, Higher Ed Coordinating Board
The Wollenberg Foundation
U.S. Bank of Washington
1 Anonymous
Untouchables Car Club Ruth L. West
Gifts of Material and Equipment The Boeing Company Garland Budd Pete Pickett examines the new LCC human simulator patient, nicknamed “Stan,” at a recent open house in the Lower Columbia College Nursing department. Pickett is a board member of The Health Care Foundation, which donated money for the equipment.
NORPAC
Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation Rosina E. Williamson Living Trust 1 Anonymous
Solvay Chemicals, Inc. Randy Sweet
New program sparks new scholarships The College’s new Pulp and Paper Technology Associate’s Degree program, created to help train employees for the local industry as current employees retire, is off to a flying start. The program’s first students started last year with general education requirements and prerequisites, and this fall they’ll begin their specialized training in a new lab with custom process simulation equipment and computer programs. Graduates will be qualified for good-paying jobs, and local industry employers (and even employees) have shown their commitment by funding more than a dozen special scholarships. Many general scholarships are also available to students in this program. • Longview Fibre is sponsoring eight scholarships, two $3,000 scholarships for full-time entering freshmen and two more for sophomores, plus two $1,500 scholarships each for part-time entering freshmen and sophomores. LCC Band Director Dr. Gary Nyberg, left, and LCC President Dr. James McLaughlin congratulate June L. Rose on her Friend of Music award at the June 6 Symphonic Band concert.
Music Educators honor June Rose June Rose of Longview was honored June 6 at the Lower Columbia College Symphonic Band Concert as the Washington Music Educators Association Southwest Region’s 2004-05 “Friend of Music.” “Mrs. Rose’s generous support for music has made a wonderful difference for us at LCC,” said LCC Symphonic Band Director Dr. Gary Nyberg. “This has enabled students in our ensembles to learn and perform music that we could not approach without her assistance.” Her donations have provided music scholarships and allowed LCC to purchase important instruments and equipment. “Over the past several years, her quiet sponsorship of many young and promising musicians through scholarships has enabled them to pay for tuition, books and private lessons,” said Nyberg, who nominated her for the biennial award. Her legacy has liberated many talented students from holding minimum wage, part-time jobs that interfere with their studies and practice. Past LCC music scholarship recipients have moved on to the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Mannes School of Music in New York, Western Washington University, University of Pacific, University of Puget Sound, and other respected music schools. The Stanley B. and June L. Rose Foundation also supports the LCC Nursing Program with scholarships and other assistance.
• Boise Cascade is sponsoring three $3,000 scholarships for full-time students and two $1,500 scholarships for part-time students. • Coworkers and friends of recent Longview Fibre retiree Frank O. Wille donated funds for one $1,182 scholarship to honor his commitment and hard work. Longview Fibre added two more $3,000 scholarships in honor of Mr. Wille—one for a full-time freshman and one for a full-time sophomore. Applications for these special scholarships are being accepted through August 31. For application information, go to http://www.lowercolumbia.edu/scholarships If you’d like to help fund a scholarship for this or any other program, contact Merlene York at (360) 442-2131.
Design a Scholarship Fund The need has never been greater for scholarships. By creating a scholarship fund, you can: • Sponsor a student • Help community members improve their lives • Improve our community, as students apply the education and skills they receive at LCC throughout their careers. • Honor a loved one, teacher or other individual who made a positive difference in your life. The Lower Columbia College Foundation makes it easy to establish scholarships, to be awarded to students with your criteria in mind. For more information, please contact the LCC Foundation at (360) 442-2131 or myork@lowercolumbia.edu.
PTK shines at international conference Lower Columbia College’s Gamma Tau Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa “cleaned up” with 15 awards at the PTK International Convention, held April 19-23 in Seattle. LCC President Dr. Jim McLaughlin won the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction at the International level, and the Distinguished College President at the Regional level. The Gordon award recognizes college presidents, campus CEOs and state community college directors for outstanding efforts toward promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa: service, fellowship and scholarship. Student Jonathan Mintz of Castle Rock won the Distinguished Chapter Member award at both the Regional and International level. Former Chapter Advisor Anne Bartlett Blair won the Paragon Award for New Advisors at both the Regional and the International level. The LCC Chapter nearly doubled its membership last year. The LCC chapter and its members also won awards for Best Chapter Yearbook, Best Chapter Newsletter, as well as regional literary awards.
Boards welcome new members Time marches on, and so do the college’s boards of directors. Foundation Board member and outgoing chair Max Anderson has joined the Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees. Anderson is a registered investment advisor with Anderson and Anderson Advisory LLC. Anderson replaces attorney Ann Mottet, who retired from the board after 10 years of service. The LCC Foundation Board gained four new members this year: • Frank Busch, vice president and mill manager of pulp and liquid packaging operations at Weyerhaeuser’s Longview facility; • Jim Henrickson, owner of Kalama Chevron; • Christie Partridge of Bratrud Middleton Insurance; • Dr. Jeff Tack, Longview Eye and Vision. Three members retired from the Foundation board: • Tina Cygrymus of Weyerhaeuser was transferred out of the area after serving two years; • Dottie Koontz of Financial Dimensions served nine years; • Dr. John Richards, physician, served six years. “We really appreciate our board members’ commitment to education and LCC. These are very busy people, and their time and expertise are wonderful assets for us,” said LCC Foundation Executive Director Merlene York.
2006 Golf Marathon co-chairs were: Gregg Myklebust, left, a former LCC Foundation board member; and David Houten, current board member.
Golf Marathon raises $57,000 for scholarships The LCC Foundation 2006 Golf Marathon, held May 18, was a lovely, sunny, record-setting success. Thirty-six dedicated golfers raised more than $57,000 for LCC student scholarships. Michael Carter of Longview Fibre raised the most money: just over $7,000 in gifts and pledges. Steve Vincent of Columbia Analytical maximized his pledges by playing an astounding 207 holes of golf! The Three Rivers Golf Course staff supplied the golfers with refreshments, KLOG/KUKN sponsored the evening awards reception, and dozens of other donors sponsored individual holes and provided prizes.
Faculty receive excellence awards The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) presented Teaching Excellence Awards in May to three LCC Faculty. The three, all passionate about their fields and devoted to their students, are: Maggie Stuart, Computer Information Services; Ann Williamson, Education and Early Childhood Education; and Trudy Woods, Art (Ceramics) instructor and LCC Gallery Director. The three cross the spectrum of subject matter, but have one remarkable thing in common: community colleges made a big difference in their lives. In fact, Stuart and Williamson are LCC graduates who went on to earn master’s degrees and now teach at LCC. Woods, a former high school biology teacher, discovered ceramics by taking community college night classes.
Red Devils sports report BASEBALL: The Red Devils won the Western Division Championship and very nearly took the Northwest Athletics Association for Community Colleges (NWAACC) Championship, which LCC hosted at Story Field. In fact, the Red Devils forced a second championship game after coming out of the losers’ bracket to beat Columbia Basin Community College in 11 innings. It took Columbia Basin 12 innings to put the Devils away and claim the crown.
of the Year. Player Kayli Anderson is going on to play for Western Washington. Soccer co-coaches Max Anderson and Kevin Blondin were Southern Division Coaches of the Year. Both teams have signed some excellent high school athletes who will join the program next fall. New volleyball recruits include Sammie Stephenson of Ridgefield, Stefanie Steadman of Montesano, Vannesa Ramsey of Morton, Tracy Goodin of Willipa Valley and Amanda Harris of Toutle Lake. New recruits for soccer include Holly Oja of Battle Ground and Amber Samples of Rainier.
Kelly Smith is Western Division Coach of the Year. The Scouts were paying attention, and several Red Devils will play at the next level: Drew George, D.J. Lidyard, Kyle Foster, Oregon State (NCAA Champs!); Billy Jones, Southwest Missouri; Justin Burger, Lewis-Clark State; Benn Greenslit, Gonzaga; Jonah Hobson, Hawaii-Pacific; Tony Jones, Western Oregon; Jorden Merry, U of Washington; and Tyler Smith, Lewis-Clark State SOFTBALL: The Lady Devils are back on top, claiming the NWAACC crown for the seventh time in eight years. Coach Tim Makin is NWAACC Coach of the Year. Several Lady Devils will play for 4-year colleges: Tourney MVP Ruth Anderson, Cal State San Bernardino; Amanda Schaapveld, Montana-Billings; Logan Mohr, Adams State; Nicole Wallinger, Southwest Missouri; and Keri Gesner, Oregon Institute of Technology. BASKETBALL: It was another great season! The Red Devils played in the NWAACC Championship game again this year, but fell just short in their drive for a third straight NWAACC championship, placing 2nd. The team set the LCC record for wins in a season with 31 victories and just two defeats. The Devils topped the Western Division, and Coach Jim Roffler is Division Coach of the Year. At least three LCC players will play at 4-year colleges next year: Omar Krayem, Eastern Washington; E.J. Schoen, Evergreen State; and Nick Moore, Evergreen State. The Lady Devils took 8th in the NWAACC and again showed heart and courage at the championship tournament, getting into the trophy round on the final day after dropping their opening game. Lady Devils going on to play 4-year ball are Nicole Hallman, Evergreen State, and Brithani Lassiter, Linfield. Coaches Jim Roffler and Jason Hoseney are looking forward to outstanding seasons again this year, featuring LCC’s brand of strong student/athletes. VOLLEYBALL & SOCCER: The LCC Soccer and Volleyball teams both made it to the playoffs last fall, with the Western Division Champion Volleyball squad making it to the championship tourney. Volleyball Coach Jocelyn Price was Western Division Co-Coach
Red Devils get new wheels LCC sports teams are riding in safety and comfort on a new sports bus. This wasn’t exactly planned, but the old bus was retired after developing major engine trouble in December, after 20 years (more than 280,000 miles) of service. Since LCC Athletics didn’t have $75,602 for a new bus in its budget, the teams rode in vans to winter events until the Athletics staff lined up funds to purchase a new bus from several sources: Athletics Program reserves Student Activities reserves LCC Foundation Institutional funds Sports auction & personal donations Team clubs
$20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $10,000 $4,402 $1,200
A full-size bus is much safer than a van, said Athletic Director Kirc Roland. “LCC athletes have traveled in safety, and they have traveled well-rested because of the room on a fullsized bus,” he said. “Thanks to all who helped us replace the bus.”
Get sports schedules and the latest Red Devils news at lowercolumbia.edu/athletics
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