News Releases

Then: State Supported
Now: State Assisted Clark College in 2012

Clark College President Robert K. Knight will deliver
the 2012 State of the College address on Thursday, Jan. 19

VANCOUVER, Wash. – What does it mean when a college that has been state supported is now only state assisted?  That is one of the key issues that Clark College President Robert K. Knight will address during the 2012 State of the College Address on Thursday, Jan. 19.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 11 a.m. in the Gaiser Student Center on the college’s main campus.  Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.  Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

Knight will discuss the budget situation facing Clark College as the Washington State Legislature convenes in Olympia.  Knight will share college highlights from 2011 and outline short- and long-term plans for college programs and facilities.  He will also highlight partnership efforts by the college and the Clark College Foundation to support student success – today and for the future.  

Additionally, Knight will announce the names of the first inductees into the Clark College Athletic Hall of Fame.  The inductees will be honored during a ceremony on Feb. 25.  Knight will also announce the names of the recipients of the 2012 Iris Awards, which will be held on March 8 and will honor women of achievement in Southwest Washington. Both events will be held at the college.

As part of the college’s ongoing commitment to service learning, students, faculty, staff and guests are invited to bring nonperishable food donations to the State of the College Address.  For the fourth consecutive year, Clark Student Ambassadors will collect food donations for the Share Vancouver Backpack Program. Donations can also be taken to the college’s Welcome Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20. The Welcome Center is located on the lower level of the Penguin Union Building. 

Share Vancouver provides daily meals for homeless and low-income members of the community. As part of their Children’s Hunger Initiative, Share Vancouver coordinates a “backpack program” in which more than 1,300 bags are filled with donated, nonper­ishable, easy-to-prepare food.  The bags are distributed to 60 schools in the Battle Ground, Camas, Evergreen, Ridgefield, Vancouver, and Woodland School Districts. Each Friday, the bags are discreetly given to youngsters in K-12 to take home so they have food during the weekend.

For the backpack program, foods such as granola bars; fruit rolls; canned tuna; canned soups, stews and beans; cereal; crackers; peanut butter; canned fruits and vegetables; boxed dinners (for example, Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni, Mac & Cheese, Tuna Helper); and juice boxes are especially welcome.

Because the food is distributed to young children, glass containers are not included in the bags.  Portion sizes of under 16 ounces are ideal.

Additional information about the program is available at http://www.sharevancouver.org/Programs/childrens-hunger-initiative. Organizers note that all donations of nonperishable food are welcome.

Knight said, “We know that supplies at food banks run low after the holidays.  We also know that many people in our region are struggling.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the college to give back to our community as a thank-you for the support they have given to us.” 

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