Rhonda Morin, director of communications
360-992-2705; rmorin@clark.edu
www.clarkcollegefoundation.org
$4 Million Gift
to Transform Culinary Experience at Clark College
Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute
at Clark College
VANCOUVER, Wash. — Clark College President Robert K. Knight announced that the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Family Foundation made a $4 million
gift to the college’s culinary program that will transform the learning
process for students, as well as the community’s on-campus dining experience.
During a celebration
for donors on Wednesday evening at Royal Oaks
Country Club in Vancouver, Knight revealed that the college’s new dining and
teaching facility, which will undergo remodeling, will be known as the Tod and
Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute at Clark College. It will showcase Clark’s Cuisine
and Professional Baking and Pastry Arts programs.
The lead gift from the Tod and
Maxine McClaskey Family Foundation simultaneously changes the face of the
college’s culinary building, while dramatically enhancing the student learning
experience.
A redesign of the building includes a glass façade, outdoor dining
space, contemporary restaurant, ethnic food choices and an open food court
layout. A revamped academic curriculum aligns with industry standards and
prepares the college to be accredited by the American Culinary Federation. This
top priority project also addresses nutritional needs of the college community
and supports student retention by providing access to food service on campus.
Knight extoled Tod and Maxine McClaskey’s contribution to the
business community during Savoring Excellence, Clark College Foundation’s
annual celebratory dinner.
“This gift will positively affect every student at Clark College
whether they just stop by the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute for a
healthy option on the way to class or graduate from the Tod and Maxine
McClaskey Culinary Institute ready to go to work for one of the many great
culinary options in the region,” said Knight.
Tod McClaskey was
one of the founders of the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay, a popular
hotel and restaurant enterprise that began in Vancouver.
Lisa Gibert, president/CEO of Clark College
Foundation spoke about the McClaskey’s passionate vision and values for the hospitality
business and how naming the institute after them is a perfect fit to honor their
memory.
“Tod believed in first-class service and
an excellent dining experience. The Red Lion was also the launching pad for
hundreds of careers in the hospitality business for this region and beyond. That
light of excellence for the McClaskeys will now shine for generations,” said Gibert.
The McClaskey family expressed excitement about being an integral part
of the college’s future.
“Clark’s new culinary program fits our family’s ideals for
excellent food preparation and management, as well as collaborating with other
state educational organizations. We are thrilled to be a part of this
innovative project,” said Jillian Hagstrom, granddaughter of Tod and Maxine McClaskey.
Clark College has educational partnerships with the Clark County
Skills Center and Washington State University Vancouver that consolidates the
steps toward achieving a college degree.
The new facility is expected to be under construction for several
months with portions of it opening in spring 2017. There will a food court with
several kiosks offering cooked-to-order items, soups, sandwiches, salads, a
bakery and a variety of ethnic and food-sensitive choices. A full-service
bakery will serve artisanal desserts, breads and offer a barista station. And
Clark’s popular restaurant will return, modeled after modern, open-kitchen
dining establishments. All services will be open to Clark’s community as well
as the general public.
Clark College Foundation is accepting donations for the culinary
project, which is expected to cost $10.5 million. For more information, contact
Joel B. Munson, vice president of development at 360.992.2428.
Clark
College Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving as
the fundraising partner of Clark
College in support of student learning. Nationally recognized
for excellence in fundraising and communications, we are the 2015
gold winner for our campaign fundraising
communications by the Council for Advancement and Support
of Education in District VIII. We are also the recipient of the 2015 Educational Fundraising Award in overall performance and
overall improvement from national CASE, based in Washington, D.C.
# # #