Yesterday, during Clark College‘s State of the College address, President Robert Knight announced the recipients of the 2012 Iris Awards, honoring women of achievement in Southwest Washington. The recipients are as follows: Lisa Nisenfeld, president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council; Sally Schaefer, a community leader and volunteer for more than 50 years; and Mary Strehlow, developmental disabilities manager for the Clark County Department of Community Services. The Iris Awards ceremony will be held in Clark College’s Gaiser Student Center on March 8. Tickets go on sale today at www.vbjusa.com. The cost is $25 per person. The awards ceremony, emceed by KGW news anchor Brenda Braxton, will begin at 6 p.m., immediately after a 5 p.m. reception. More details about the Iris Awards are available at www.clark.edu/cc/irisawards.

Knight also announced the following first inductees into the Clark College Athletic Hall of Fame: Karen (Remy) Morgan Hill, Jacob “Vern” Kindsfather, Randy Myers, Claude “Skeet” O’Connell, Jim Raines, Gaydena Thompson, Mary Lou White, and the college’s undefeated 1992-1993 women’s basketball team. All the inductees will be honored on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the college. More information about the Athletic Hall of Fame is available at www.clarkpenguins.com

The Clark College Presidential Coin is given to individuals who provide exemplary service to Clark students, the college and the community. Yesterday, Knight presented Presidential Coins to the following individuals: Jennifer Wheeler, of Information Technology Services; Melissa Favara, a faculty member who currently serves as academic early warning liaison; Jordan DeVan, of Registration; retired interim athletic director Denny Huston; and Clark College alum and international student Nick Ashitey.