Distinguished Alumni
Honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the community and their profession.
Started in 1990, the Highline College Distinguished Alumni Award honors individuals who attended Highline and who are making outstanding contributions through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership.
The recipient will be recognized at the commencement exercises in June. The award is co-sponsored by the Highline College Foundation and HC Alumni Relations. Learn how to nominate a Distinguished Alumnus.
Past Recipients include:
- 2023 — Josias Jean-Pierre, Author and Motivational Speaker
- 2022 — Jason Prenovost, Athletic Director, Tacoma Community College.
- 2021 — Dr. Tom Jackson, President, Humboldt State University.
- 2020 — Michele Pedicone, Respiratory Therapist, Professor, and Director of Clinical Education.
- 2019 — Angela Sheffey-Bogan, principal of Sartori Elementary School in Renton, WA.
- 2018 — Ed Ramos, Certified Public Accountant with the firm DP&C
- 2016 — Sandra Cravens Robinson, Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and Nursing Program Graduate
- 2015 — Dr. Gene Sharratt, Executive Director of the Washington Student Achievement Council
- 2014 — Ronald Beard, attorney at Lane Powell
- 2013 — Carl Hinkson, manager of Haborview’s Respiratory Care department
- 2012 — Sherill Miller, educator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
- 2011 — Linda Yoshida, author and philanthropist
- 2010 — Deborah King, President & Founder Final touch Finishing School, Inc.
- 2009 — Dr. Linda Petter, family practitioner
- 2008 — Sam Green, Washington State’s first Poet Laureate
- 2007 — Chris Carrel, executive director of the Friends of the Hylebos
- 2006 — Ezra Teshome of State Farm Insurance
- 2005 — Larry Blackstock, a local television industry veteran
- 2005 — Maurice Sabado, a science and technology pioneer
- 2004 — Tricia L. Anderson, chief administrative officer for the King County District Court
- 2003 — Junki Yoshida, CEO of the Yoshida Group
- 2002 — T.M. Sell, professor of journalism and political science at Highline Community College
- 2001 — William Perry Baker, Ph.D., science professor and academic dean at Arizona Christian University
- 2000 — Terry Acena, Seattle Public School District principal
- 1999 — Thomas Nixon, retired senior vice president of KeyBank
- 1998 — Ann Rule, internationally recognized author
- 1997 —Veltry Johnson, public information chief for the Washington State Department of Corrections
- 1996 —Joan Enticknap, president/COO of HomeStreet Bank
- 1995 —Scott Crueger, chief photographer for KIRO-TV
- 1994 —Randy Coplen, president of GBA/Gyroplanes of Seattle
- 1994 —Phyllis Collier, former Boeing manager
- 1993 —Joan DuBuque, King County Superior Court judge
- 1992 —Dr. Michael Hutchins, director and William G. Conway Chair in Conservation and Science at the American Zoo and Aquarium Association
- 1991 —Wendie K. Harper, former detective for the Tacoma Police Department
- 1990 —Norm Rice, former Mayor of Seattle