CBC Foundation Summer Newsletter

CBC Foundation

NEWS

SUMMER 2021

You Help Hawks Soar!

CBC President Rebekah Woods and our new mascot, Thunder, celebrate with graduates.

For many Hawks, your support made this moment possible.

CBC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Matthew Petersen, Chair Petersen Hastings Denise Sweeden, Vice Chair & Board Development Chair Wave Design Group Matt Backlund, Treasurer & Finance Chair Community First Bank Ann Harper, Secretary Artist Moses Jaraysi, Immediate Past Chair Marsha Halverson, Fund Development Chair - Educator, Retired David Billetdeaux, Gift Acceptance Chair Port of Benton Lynn Tegeler, Scholarship Chair Central Plateau Cleanup Company Rebekah Woods Columbia Basin College President Nathan Baker Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Raj Bandaru Gesa Credit Union Douglas Christensen Kennewick School District Tina Clouston Local Union 598 Stephanie Green Washington River Protection Solutions Heather McMurdo Bechtel Tracy Walker CBC Faculty Representative Allyson Page Columbia Basin College Trustee Mitch Peterson CompuNet Yoselin Mendez Rodriguez ASCBC Representative Scott Sax Amentum Shirley Simmons CG Public House Melda Velasquez Lourdes Health Bernie Walter Northwest CPA Group

CBC

CBC News

FIRST TEACHER EDUCATION BACHELOR PROGRAM GRADUATES HELPING OVERCOME THE COMMUNITY’S TEACHER SHORTAGE Leah Linton decided to change her career path from radiology technician to elementary education after an especially challenging evening of chemistry homework.

The childcare business owner questioned why she wasn’t pursuing a degree in something she was passionate about and came naturally.

CBC’s new program is helping overcome the critical statewide teacher shortage by focusing on homegrown graduates and providing a pathway for students to earn their BAS degree in Teacher Education in just four years instead of six.

Selina Fink always wanted to teach but struggled to get started. Some friends and family gave her the support she needed to begin classes.

“This new degree honors and supports the work and years of experience of childcare professionals and paraeducators and helps them take the next steps toward being certificated teachers,” said Jacob Bang, Director for BAS in Teacher Education.

Partnerships with the region’s schools and community support make this program possible.

Two years later, Leah Linton (left) and Selina Fink are some of the first graduates of CBC’s new Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education. the classmates reached a significant “All of this year’s milestone when they walked across an outdoor stage graduates are staying in the Tri-Cities to reach as many on June 19 to receive their diplomas as members of the children as possible and fill the local need,” Leah said. first cohort of graduates in CBC’s Bachelor of Applied “As the first class, we broke ground, and we persevered.

Science (BAS) in Teacher Education program.

If we can do this during a pandemic, then we can do anything.”

“Being part of the first class feels good but also stressful,” Selina said. “It’s a new program, so there To learn more about the Bachelor of Applied Science were kinks to work out along the way. But with what in Teacher Education degree, email the School of we learned and the experience from a year of student Education at education@columbiabasin.edu or visit teaching, we are exactly where we need to be.” columbiabasin.edu/education.

Tayler Welch Monte Nail, CPA

CBC FOUNDATION STAFF Erin Fishburn Executive Director Sarah Murphy Anneke Rachinski Cala Truitt

Why I Give “As a CBC Foundation board member, I’ve seen firsthand the lives transformed by generous donors. My wife, Debbie, and I decided to create a planned gift to help provide the Foundation with a sustainable future funding stream to support the longterm success of students in our community. It’s not often that you can make such a profound difference so easily. I invite you to join us in this commitment to future Hawks by contacting the Foundation to discuss how to start a legacy gift today.”

Brad Toner CBC FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBER 2001 - 2021

NEWS MUSIC TO OUR EARS

CBC IS HOME TO STATE’S TOP MUSIC EDUCATOR

Washington Music Educators Association has named CBC’s Associate Professor of Music Bruce Walker as its Music Educator of the Year for his collegiate and K-12 music instruction.

At CBC, Walker teaches Music Appreciation, Music Theory and Orchestra. He also directs the College’s student/community orchestral ensemble, which performs quarterly.

Bruce embraces the challenge of teaching music and leading orchestras online, saying, “Like all educators, we adapted and embraced the virtual space and would not let a small matter of distance and a pandemic stop us from producing quality content and instruction. This is the result of strategic rehearsal planning and resiliency in a virtual setting and working with the technology everyone already has.”

DID YOU KNOW? CBC is a smart choice! A Georgetown University data tool ranks CBC in the top 10% in the country in graduate earnings versus debt. The increase in yearly earnings power for CBC graduates is five times higher than the annual debt obligation.

Congratulations, Bruce!

JOIN US FOR CBC NIGHT AT THE

DUST DEVILS GAME

Hey employers! Post your internship opportunities on the new Washingtonworkforceportal.org. The Association of Washington Business partnered with Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, CBC and WSU Tri-Cities to launch a pilot of the portal to connect employers with students.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

7:05 pm First Pitch Gesa Stadium - 6200 Burden Blvd., Pasco Fireworks following the game.

Call the box office to get your tickets at 509.544.8789.

Seats are limited.

Way to go! CBC students Julie Maria (left) and Hannah Wolfe are 2021 All-Washington Academic Team members. Students are selected for this prestigious award based on their academic achievement and positive contributions to our community. The pair are now nominated for the national competition.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

2600 N. 20th Ave. Pasco, WA 99301

PAID

F O U N DAT ION

2021

PASCO, WA 99301 PERMIT 92

POWER OF CONNECTION

Student Scholarship Dinner & Auction WHERE: HAPO CENTER IN PASCO WHEN: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21

6 TO 9 PM

Get your tickets today!

VISIT COLUMBIABASIN.EDU/POWEROFCONNECTION OR CALL 509-544-4907

Thank you for supporting

CBC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

SCHOLARSHIP REVIEWERS NEEDED!

“The Running Start program gave me a start on my education, but now as I pursue my bachelor's degree, the costs have become challenging. Your support helps lift my burden while I pursue my dreams! I believe that community colleges have a positive impact on the students and I hope to one day work for one where I can become a leader to others.”

Christopher

To volunteer, email us at scholarships@columbiabasin.edu.

APPLIED MANAGEMENT

EMAIL

foundation@columbiabasin.edu

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

PHONE

509.542.4436

ADDRESS

2600 N. 20th Ave., MS-F1

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