Clark College's 75th Anniversary
According to the 1936 Galapagon yearbook, Clark College opened on October 1, 1933. Classes began on Monday, October 2 in the Hidden House in downtown Vancouver at what was then called Vancouver Junior College. They were among the first steps in the college's history. Clark College history includes 11 men and women who have served as dean or president since the earliest days of the college.
Since the earliest days of the college, students, faculty and staff have embraced their beloved penguin mascot, Oswald. In 2007, Clark President Bob Knight declared Clark College to be "The Penguin Nation."
Clark's 75th anniversary celebration
On October 1, 2008, the college will launch a yearlong celebration marking the college's 75th anniversary.
The theme of the diamond jubilee is: "Preserve the past. Honor the present. Embrace the future."
Clark's 75th anniversary: Our honorary steering committee
An impressive list of regional and state dignitaries are serving on the honorary steering committee for the college's diamond jubilee.
Robert K. Knight President, Clark College Rhona Sen Hoss Chair, Clark College Board of Trustees Tony Bacon Editor, The Daily Insider
Brian Baird Congressman, 3rd Congressional District Twyla Barnes Superintendent, ESD #112 Al Bauer State Senator (retired),
12th Legislative DistrictMitch Bower past member, Clark College Board of Trustees Scott Campbell President & Publisher, The Columbian; member, Clark College Foundation Board
Roger Daniels past Director of Student Programs, Athletics and Recruitment, Clark College
Bruce Davidson Vice Chair, Clark College Foundation Board John Deeder Superintendent, Evergreen School District Dr. Lynn Degerstedt past Director, Southwest Washington Joint Center for Education Dr. Hal Dengerink Chancellor, Washington State University Vancouver Robert Dingethal Regional Director, office of Senator Maria Cantwell Ellis F. Dunn past Interim President, Clark College Charles Earl Executive Director, Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges John Erickson Superintendent, Vancouver School District Bill Fromhold State Representative, 49th Legislative District Leann Johnson Director for Equity & Diversity, Clark College Val Joshua President Emeritus, Vancouver Chapter, N.A.A.C.P. Scott Keeney President & CEO, nLight Photonics Kathy Kniep Executive Director, YWCA Clark County Tom Koenninger Editor Emeritus, The Columbian; chair, Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges Joseph F. Kortum President & CEO, Southwest Washington Medical Center Mindi Linquist District Representative, office of Senator Maria Cantwell Ed Lynch Chairman, Identity Clark County John Marshall member, Clark College Alumni Association Board John McDonagh Publisher, Vancouver Business Journal Patrick Mehigan President, Associated Students of Clark College Roger Michaelis President & CEO, iQ Credit Union Betty Sue Morris Clark County Commissioner Bob Moser past Director of Public Relations, Alumni Affairs, Student Programs and College Advancement, Clark College Dan Ogden Faculty Emeritus, WSU Pullman Val Ogden State Representative (retired), 49th Legislative District Jan Oliva Chair, Clark College Foundation Board Bart Phillips President, Columbia River Economic Development Council Royce Pollard Mayor, City of Vancouver Craig Pridemore State Senator, 49th Legislative District Beth Quartarolo President & CEO, Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Dr. Antonio Scarpelli Faculty Emeritus and member, Clark College Foundation Board Sally Schaefer past member, Clark College Board of Trustees Pat Sheaffer, past CEO, Riverview Community Bank Claude "Skeet" O'Connell Faculty Emeritus and member, Penguin Athletic Club Board Elson Strahan President & CEO, Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust Gaydena Thompson Faculty Emeritus and member, Penguin Athletic Club board Deb Wallace State Representative, 17th Legislative District Ralph Willson Principal architect, LSW Architects
Clark's 75th anniversary celebration: Our planning committee
A vibrant group of students, faculty and staff members are serving on the college's 75th anniversary planning committee.
Nancy Abel Production Printing Kathy Chatfield eLearning Narek Daniyelyan
Student Ambassador Nancy Johnson Business Technology May Jolly Clark College Bookstore Jennifer Lea Business Programs John Marshall Clark College Alumni Association Board Barbara Miller Office of Instruction Cindi Olson Student Affairs Tracy Reilly-Kelly Continuing Education Patti Serrano Business Administration Ara Serjoie Clark College Foundation Linda Tuve Accounting Services Vanessa Watkins Admissions Carrie Weikel-Delaplane Student Life & Multicultural Student Affairs
Community Events Manager Michelle Golder and Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Barbara Kerr serve as consultants to the planning committee.
In the weeks and months to come, more information about the college's history and plans for its diamond jubilee will be unveiled on the Clark College Web site, in college publications and through regional media outlets.


