Highline Connections: Spring 2014

Hit a hole-in-one for Highline Athletics on Friday, June 13! Grab your clubs for a day of fun, prizes and dinner at the annual golf tournament. The 2014 T-Bird Classic will be held at Twin Lakes Golf & Country Club in Federal Way, featuring a traditional four-person scramble with a blind draw on two holes. Complete rules will be available at the tournament.

Learn more in the registration brouchure on the HCC Foundation website. To sign up or ask questions, email John Dunn. Your participation supports our T-Bird athletes.

In Memorium

Mark Prothero
Former Highline instructor Mark Prothero passed away in April after a battle with lung cancer. Prothero was an instructor in Highline’s Paralegal and Criminal Justice program for many years and served as a guest speaker. He also made a presentation through Highline’s Science Seminar Series on DNA evidence through his work on the Green River case.

Prothero offered internships to a number of students from the Paralegal program and a few students went on to be hired at his firm. We extend our sincere condolences to his colleagues and members of his family.

Jerry Robinson
Former Highline Board of Trustees member Gerald “Jerry” Robinson passed away in May at the age of 94. He was appointed to the board in 1989 and served for ten years, acting as chairman during the 1991-92 and 1995-96 academic years.

In recognition of his service to the community, his entrepreneurial skill, his community and business leadership, and his friendship and service to the college, Robinson was awarded an Honorary Associate of Arts degree from Highline in June 2008.

Robinson contributed much to our communities’ success over the years and had become an icon in Burien and Normandy Park for his impact. We join our local community in expressing our deep condolences.

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About This Newsletter

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 15,000 annual students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education.

Highline Connections will be published electronically four times a year in February, May, August and November for friends and alumni of Highline. Do you have questions or comments? Email Madison Gridley: mgridley@highline.edu.

DISCLAIMER: Highline Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types).

2014 Distinguished Alum Named

Highline is pleased to name Ronald Beard as its 2014 Distinguished Alumnus. Beard has an active commercial litigation practice at Lane Powell Attorneys in Seattle.

Upon his departure from Highline Community College, Beard went on to obtain his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in 1990 and continued at the University of Washington School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1993.

“I knew after spending time with Ron both in and out of class that he would be successful, not because of his sparkling personality and strong people skills, but because of his persistence,” said Ed Morris, Beard’s former Highline math instructor. “Because of Ron and other students like him, I taught at the college for over 40 years. He is an ideal representation of the mission of Highline. We are here to give students the opportunity, the knowledge and the expectations they need to achieve their goals and dreams.”

During his years in practice, Beard has represented several municipalities, including the Port of Anacortes, the Port of Port Orchard and the City of Gold Bar as both plaintiffs and defendants in contract disputes and civil rights violations.

In addition to his law practice, he is a former United States Coast Guard licensed chief engineer and has a broad mechanical background. He was also named as a “Washington Super Lawyer” by “Super Lawyers” magazine and “Washington CEO” magazine ranked him a “Top Lawyer” in banking.

Highline Wins Top Diversity Award

Highline received a prestigious Award of Excellence from the American Association of Community Colleges for increasing diversity and social equity on campus.

Highline was one of six colleges in the nation earning recognition at the association’s 2014 annual convention in Washington, D.C. Highline won in the Advancing Diversity category.

The national awards recognize innovation and promising practices that boost student achievement and help meet America’s economic and workforce needs. Learn more about Highline being named the premier institution in the country for advancing diversity.

Easy Way to Plan Tomorrow’s Gift

A recent Highline Foundation luncheon gave guests the chance to hear from the “Galloping Gourmet.” Internationally recognized culinary and television personality, Graham Kerr conveyed his belief in the importance of making changes today that can influence tomorrow for you and others.

His theme tied in to the Highline Foundation’s message of how to make a lasting impact on the college and its students with a charitable bequest. A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. It’s a gift you promise in your will or trust to give to a charitable organization at the end of your life.

With the help of an adviser, you can specify a gift be made as part of your estate plan. The benefits are many. You’ll receive an estate tax charitable deduction, lessen the burden of taxes on your family and leave a lasting legacy. Learn more through the Highline Foundation.

Are You Up for the Challenge?

Join other Highline alumni in making a difference in our community. The 2014 Alumni Community Service Challenge launched earlier this year with the goal of recruiting Highline alumni to serve 2,014 hours of community service, find 14 new mentors and identify four new work-based learning sites this year.

Check out these exciting upcoming alumni service opportunities:

Be a part of one of the most memorable days in a student’s life by volunteering at the 2014 HCC Commencement Ceremony at the ShoWare Center in Kent on June 12th from 3:45-6:15pm.

Love marine life and the environment? Volunteer at Highline's Marine Science and Technology Center! There's no experience necessary to join. All training will be offered onsite.

To sign up and see a full list of the upcoming activities, visit the Alumni Relations website.

Faculty Members Wins Inaugural Award

Highline faculty member Helen Burn was named the first recipient of the Education Reform Award presented by the two-year college mathematics community in Washington state.

The award recognizes the breadth of her work, including papers, grants, interdisciplinary work and curricular reform as well as countless presentations. She has been a powerful voice in our state’s mathematics community.

HCC Men's Basketball Takes 3rd in NWAACCs

Congratulations to the Men's Basketball team for their 3rd place win in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges 2014 Tournament. The team, along with head coach Che Dawson and other members of the coaching staff, was recognized by Mayor Dave Kaplan at the Des Moines City Council meeting on May 22. Way to go T-Birds!

Every Dollar Counts

You can help Highline earn donations just by shopping with your Fred Meyer Rewards Card. Fred Meyer is donating $2.5 million each year to nonprofits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, based on where their customers tell them to give.

You’ll still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points and Rebates, just as you do today. Simply sign up for the program by linking your card to Highline Community College at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. Search for us by name or by nonprofit number (87125).

Free, Easy-to-Use Career Tool

Take advantage of an easy-to-use career tool offered free by Highline. Career Coach is designed to help you find a good career by providing the most current local data on wages, employment and job postings. Use the tool to explore your ideal career by matching your skills and talents. You can even use it to build a professional resume. Get started today with Career Coach!

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