Clark College Announces $20 Million campaign

Largest comprehensive campaign in Clark’s history

Rick ’69 and Ellie ’83 Tymer receive Presidential Award

Clark College Foundation’s annual Savoring Excellence dinner and program on May 15 was the site for one of the most significant announcements in Clark College’s 80-year history: the launch of its largest comprehensive campaign.

Amity Kernen performs at Savoring Excellence, May 2013

While nearly 180 guests enjoyed musical and poetic performances by Clark students, Clark College President Robert K. Knight and Jan Oliva, Ensuring a Bright Future Campaign chair, announced that the college had raised almost $17 million toward a $20 million goal for a variety of areas including programs, scholarships and facilities.

“Just over three million dollars—that’s all that we have left to raise to reach this campaign goal. State funding is no longer enough. As residents of this community we have a choice. We also have a responsibility for future generations,” Knight said.

According to Oliva, community members’ response to a 2009 feasibility study was overwhelmingly in favor of strengthening Clark College’s ability to broaden access to education and meet regional economic and workforce retraining needs.

“The community has told us that the need is here now. The time for this campaign is now,” Oliva said, referring to the fundraising initiative that is called Ensuring a Bright Future: Campaign for Clark College.

Funds raised during the campaign—which is set to conclude June 2014—are aimed at enhancing scholarships, health care programs, science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, and facilities such as the Oliva Early Learning Center, Firstenburg Family Dental Hygiene Education and Care Center and other buildings on campus.

Lisa Gibert, president and CEO of Clark College Foundation, said, “The areas of focus within this campaign are in tandem with the priorities of the community for workforce development. Clark College will continue to be a part of the solution for Southwest Washington. We will be poised to serve our community with education and training only through the continued support and philanthropy of the region’s community members.”

Tymers Honored

Rick and Ellie Tymer receive the Presidential Award during the Savoring Excellence gala, May 2013.

Also during the evening event, Gibert and Knight presented the Presidential Award for Excellence to alumni Rick ’69 and Ellie ’83 Tymer. Rick is a retired Clark faculty member from the auto technology program. He was instrumental in bringing the Toyota T-TEN program to Clark, a training program that prepares students for jobs as certified Toyota and Lexus technicians. Ellie worked at Boise Cascade. The couple reside in Torrance, Calif.

Gibert said the Tymers credit Clark for the opportunities in their lives and speak affectionately of their time on campus, their friends and colleagues and their plans to impart their philanthropic values and commitment to the region.

“Rick and Ellie Tymer believe in the unparalleled role that Clark College will play in a bright future for Southwest Washington and they are giving today, generously, toward that ideal,” Gibert said.