Clark College President Bob Knight (left) focused on student success during the 2009 State of the College address.  Associated Students of Clark College President Patrick Mehigan introduced Knight at today’s event.

Penguin pride: Clark College poised to play “vital role” in region’s success

Clark College president Robert K. Knight discussed the school’s accomplishments and challenges and "bright future" during today’s 2009 State of the College Address at the Gaiser Student Center.

With the backdrop of both the college’s 75th anniversary and tough economic times, Knight said the commemoration and historical perspective are reminders that when the college was opened in 1933, the depression was raging, there was low enrollment, and jobs were scarce. Support for education won out.

“That support – that belief in a bright future for the little junior college – carried the day,” Knight said. “Today, 75 years later, we are here because of that belief in a bright future for Clark College.”

Knight will also provide an overview of Clark’s contributions to the region as well as discussing the fiscal situation facing Clark and other colleges as the State Legislature begins work on the state’s 2009-2011 budget.  Knight also looked the future of the college, including the fall 2009 opening of Clark College at Columbia Tech Center. 

“Tough times eventually pass,” Knight said. “And our anniversary provides an important reminder that we need to stay focused on our students and continue to build for the future.”

Clark College opened in the fall of 1933 with 12 faculty members and fewer than 20 students. Today, the college serves more than 13,000 students each quarter on the main campus, Clark College at Town Plaza, and at Clark College at WSU Vancouver. Students are taught by nearly 600 full and part time faculty members, Knight said.

Knight said the college is currently involved in its 10-year accreditation process. The accreditation team has already shared five “areas in which they believe we shine.” Those areas include the college’s Teaching & Learning Center, support for learning through employee and professional development, library services, facilities, and the college’s “strong relationship with our partners in the Clark College Foundation.”

Recommendations from the accreditation team echo Clark’s conclusions from its self-study exercise, Knight said. Recommendations include doing a better job in terms of planning and evaluation, more emphasis on protecting students records and providing advising and counseling services, and doing a better job of defining and communicating what is meant by shared governance at the college.

“Seventy-five years from now, we will still be able to proudly say that Clark College is a place where all things are possible because, at Clark College, it’s all about the student,” Knight said. “A lot has changed since we were founded in 1933, but the mission of Clark College has not.”

Avaly Mobbs hired to lead BIA

The Building Industry Association of Clark County (BIA) today announced Avaly Mobbs will replace Dave Roewe executive director the first week of February. Roewe is leaving the organization January 31 to serve as executive director of a building industry association in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The BIA board of directors selected Mobbs for the position at its January 13 board meeting.  

Mobbs is currently the marketing manager for the Clark County Events Center where she is in charge of the marketing, advertising, public relations, and community relations for the Clark County Fair.

She previously worked for the BIA for five years as the special events director.  She holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Washington State University Vancouver.  Mobbs has also worked as the marketing director at Westfield Shopping town Vancouver.

Gregoire unveiling stimulus plan today

Gov. Chris Gregoire will unveil her economic stimulus plan today in Seattle.

She said the "Washington Jobs Now" package will create thousands of jobs by speeding up about $1 billion in public works projects.

The plan emphasizes roads, schools and new "green collar" jobs.

Gregoire also wants to take $400 million from the state's $4 billion unemployment insurance trust fund to boost unemployment benefits and offer businesses a tax break.

County to present tourism awards

The Clark County Board of Commissioners will recognize key individuals, businesses, events and programs in the hospitality community at the third annual Clark County Tourism Awards ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009.

Award finalists have been selected in seven categories ranging from Excellence in Retail Tourism to Outstanding Tourism Event for 2008.  Each finalist has reached an outstanding level of achievement, exceeding normal industry and customer expectations. For a list of finalists, go to www.SouthwestWashington.
com/industry_events.asp. 

The event is co-hosted by the Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Clark County Lodging Association with generous sponsorship from the Vancouver Business Journal.  

C-TRAN adopts fare increase

At their regular monthly meeting on January 13, the C-TRAN Board of Directors voted to approve a proposed fare increase that will take effect on Sunday, March 1, 2009.  The Board approved an average 15.5% increase on most fares, with a few exceptions. The Board voted to retain the monthly pass, with an increase of $23, bringing the total cost of the C-VAN monthly pass to $46. Full details and more information can be found at www.c-tran.com, or by contacting C-TRAN's Passenger Service Office at 360-695-0123.