Clark College receives $3.1M land gift
Clark College President Robert K. Knight announced May 21 that the college received a $3.1 million gift of land from the Boschma family in Ridgefield, Wash., which when combined with private and state funding, will be the location for a future Clark campus.
During the college’s annual Savoring Excellence donor appreciation dinner on May 21 in which more than 170 guests attended, Knight announced that the gift was a major milestone for the college and one that will have a long-lasting effect for the region.
“For our students, the door of opportunity and access will be opened wide. For the city of Ridgefield, this announcement is monumental,” he said.
Once built, the North County campus will be known as Clark College at Boschma Farms.
In making the $3.1 million gift, Hank and Bernice Boschma said they were excited to be a part of expanding educational opportunity for students in the region, including first generation and immigrant students. The Boschma’s first interaction with Clark College was when they took a citizenship course in preparation for the national exam after emigrating from Holland. One of their daughters also attended Clark.
Hank Boschma said, “This is such a blessing for all parties involved. We are happy to be a part of this.”
Lisa Gibert, president/CEO of Clark College Foundation, who was instrumental in securing the gift and brokering the land purchase, said the gift sets the tone for the future of North County.
“This type of partnership demonstrates the overwhelming generosity the people of Southwest Washington have for Clark. Making education more accessible for people in the region means greater prosperity for the residents and a brighter economic future,” she said.
Clark College will benefit by the acquisition of the new property through the combined generosity of the Boschma family and the charitable support of Clark County residents, Clark College alumni, philanthropic supporters, trusts and foundations, whose donations to the Clark College Foundation have made this opportunity possible.
The transaction consists of a $5.67 million land purchase by the Clark College Foundation, accompanied by the Boschma Family LLC generous $3.12 million land donation—providing a total of 59.24 acres for the future expansion of Clark College.
The land is located on the east side of North 65th Avenue, north of Pioneer Street and northeast of the Interstate 5 and Pioneer Street interchange.
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