Inside this issue:

Lessons learned at LCC .......................... page 3

LCC teams win it all ..................pages 4 & 5

Governor speaks at Commencement .......................... page 5

Employers support education ......... page 7

Class of ’04 Class of ’06

Class of ’06

Class of ’78

Class of ’99

2

Pass it onI met recently with a local Rotary Club. The club had just awarded scholarships to local high school graduates and the members were proud and happy to help. Some commented that they were sorry they couldn’t give scholarships to all the students who applied, because all were talented and deserving. One wished that he could give a scholarship himself.

The fact is, many of us can do more than we thought. As we plan for the future, many of us find ourselves in much better

financial circumstances than we imagined. Life is full of surprises.

Who would have thought that Starbucks stock you bought “way back when” would have split SO

MANY times or that your home’s value would go up so much? Who should benefit from your paid-up l i fe insurance policy, now that your children are grown

and doing well? Now that you’ve sold your business, how can you make sure that your many years of hard work create something

that lasts?

Perhaps life has been good to you. Whether

you’ve made sound investments, worked

Catalyst is published by Lower Columbia College in coordination with the LCC Foundation. Please contact editor JoAnne Booth with your comments and information at:

Lower Columbia CollegePO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632(360) 442-2111, jbooth@lowercolumbia.eduWe like to feature our alumni in Catalyst and help you stay in touch with your friends at LCC. Please let us know what you’ve been doing. Contact JoAnne Booth.

Would you prefer to receive the Catalyst electronically? Are you receiving more than one copy? Are you changing your mailing address? If so, please contact Marcy Gilchrist at (360) 442-2132 or mgilchrist@lowercolumbia.edu

Visit the LCC Foundation’s website at lowercolumbia.edu/foundation

hard and saved all your life, or just got lucky, you may have found yourself with plenty to support yourself and pass on to your children, with a good amount left to support the causes that matter most. You want to leave a legacy; to do something that matters to generations to

come, and wouldn’t it be great if you could see some results, some smiles, now?

How do you get the best and most for your investment in the future? By supporting a cause that will keep giving. What better way to “pay it forward” than to support education, helping people to succeed on their own?

For example, a $20,000 piece of life insurance could endow a named $1,000 annual scholarship, for students who share a special interest of yours, or who just deserve some help in pursuing their dreams. A planned donation of appreciated stocks or real estate could fund library resources or update a science lab. Whether you write a check, make a bequest in your will, or create a charitable gift annuity that provides you with an income for life, you can change lives one at a time, or improve the community’s quality of life.

The LCC Foundation can help you plan your gift to future generations. Done right, a bequest can save you and your heirs a hefty tax bill, while making you vitally important to people you don’t even know; people you can’t know, because they haven’t yet been born.

Dr. Jim McLaughlin, PresidentLower Columbia College

What better way to “pay it forward” than to support education, helping people to succeed on their own?

On the coverOur alumni, from left, starting on back cover:

Debbie Malone (2004) is VP for Operations at Red Canoe Credit Union. She finished her bachelor’s in January through University of Phoenix.

Asalie Groff (2006) received a Presidential Scholarship to attend WSU Vancouver, and is majoring in Human Development. She works for Youth & Family Links.

Bryan Lomax, RN (2006) works for Community Home Health and is finishing his BSN at WSU Vancouver. He and fellow 2006 grad Ed Hunt recently started an LCC scholarship fund to be supported by LCC Nursing grads.

Dennis Reid (1978) is a VP and Senior Lender at HomeTown National Bank. He finished his bachelor’s degree at WSU and worked 25 years in eastern Washington before moving home to Skamokawa.

Kirsten (Iverson) Buswell, D.C. (1999) is an Associate Chiropractor at PeaceHealth and a graduate of Washington State University and Western States Chiropractic College.

3

Red Devil Cook-Off WinnersWild Grizzly Grill won the Best Chili Award at the Red Devil Cook-Off with their Joker’s Wild Grizzly Growler Chili. Cook Tim Pilarski, his wife, Jeanine, pictured with son, Tim Jr., served hundreds of samples at the event, held July 13 at LCC. The Cook-Off raised more than $20,000 for LCC student scholarships.

Judy’s Restaurant and Catering was voted Most Creative Chili for their Alaskan White Bean Chicken Chili, and Hattie’s Restaurant and Catering won Best Presentation for their Italian Scallion Chili.

Kirsten (Iverson) Buswell learned a lot at LCC. In addition to getting a great education and going on to become Dr. Kirsten Iverson (DC), she learned some other important skills, such as how to win at softball. “Kirby” Iverson was part of LCC’s first NWAACC champion softball team—an achievement that’s been repeated seven times since she graduated in 1999.

“I think LCC was the perfect step between high school and a university, because you’re in college but you’re not thrown into those huge classes...

“It’s just a perfect place for people who are transitioning from one phase of life to another. I got a great education at LCC. I was a good student here, so when I got to WSU, I just had to adjust to the larger class sizes. That was it.”

At LCC, Iverson knew she wanted to be a health professional or teach science. She chose chiropractic after transferring to WSU Pullman, where she took pre-med classes, graduating in Psychology in 2002. Her LCC classes transferred fine, but she stayed an extra year to be with her future husband (they married this June) Jerad Buswell.

Next came Western States Chiropractic College, which she finished in spring 2006 with an internship with Peace Health in Longview. Now an associate chiropractor at Peace Health, Iverson is continuing her education.

“I thoroughly enjoy learning. I’m getting my diplomate

in rehabilitation now.” She travels monthly to Pittsburgh for those classes.

She remembers her year of chemistry with Kurtz Carpenter and biology with Carl Roush, but speaks also of lessons learned from others at LCC. “Coach

(Tim) Mackin was cool. I really liked him. He taught us how to hit—I wasn’t the greatest hitter—and he taught us how to win. He knows softball inside and out, and he works well with young women, even through he has sons.”

She made plenty of personal connections. “You even get to know the LCC administration and staff. Today, I walked into Carol Carlson’s office (in Athletics) and she said, ‘Hi, Kirby!’ She didn’t miss a beat.”

The Onalaska High School grad credited Carlson and Student Activities staff Betty Johnson with helping her grow through some personal changes. “They were my other moms. They took good care of me.”

Lessons learned at LCC pay off for Kirsten Iverson

“I got a great education at LCC!”

4

Forensics does it again!Lower Columbia College’s Forensics Team received a gold Sweepstakes award for the best Overall performance and a Gold Sweepstakes Award for the best performance in debate at the Phi Rho Pi National Community College Forensics Tournament held April 9-15 in Houston, Texas.

This marks LCC’s first Gold Overall Sweepstakes award and our third Gold Debate Sweepstakes. It’s the 2nd year in a row the College has won the overall national championship in Debate, said LCC Director of Forensics Mike Dugaw.

Sarah Todd and Skyler Gregory won a Silver Medal in debate. Todd also received a Bronze award in Extemporaneous speaking— key to LCC winning the overall sweepstakes for their division. Vaughn Ellis and Deborah Idlett achieved a 2-4 record in debate to help LCC emerge as 2007 national champions.

Two weeks later, Todd was Outstanding Debate Speaker at the Northwest Community College Speech Championship Tournament at Clark College. As a team, Todd and Gregory (who was Second Debate Speaker) placed first in Debate. Todd also placed first in Persuasive and Extemporaneous Speaking and third in Impromptu Speaking, while Gregory was a finalist in both Extemporaneous and Impromptu Speaking.

“I had the opportunity to listen to their Semi-final and Final rounds and I believe that they are one of the best teams, if not the best, that LCC has produced in Parliamentary Debate,” said Dugaw. “I am very proud of them.”

2007 graduate Sarah Todd is congratulated by Forensics Coach Mike Dugaw, left, and her father, LCC Machine Shop Instructor Kam Todd.

Support to Scholarships

Wendy Adams Trust

American Association of University Women

Columbia Bank

Joe and Alona Fischer

J & S Foundation

Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, Inc.

Longview Monticello Lions Club

Betse Judd Miller

Cal and Kim Miller

PeaceHealth — St. John Medical Center

PEO Sisterhood, Chapter BN

P. J. Peterson and Stephen L. Jones

Jane M. Schaaf

Untouchables Car Club

State of Washington, Higher Ed Coordinating Board

Ruth West

Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation

Weyerhaeuser Company

Support to Programs & Equipment Needs:

Columbia Analytical Services

Columbia Bank

Janet Coyle

Richard and Tina Cygrymus

The Daily News

Carl and Pat Devin

Carolyn Feasey Kirkpatrick

Gene and Joni Guttormsen

Nelson and Pamela Graham

Gary and Cathy Healea

Don and Clara Lemmons

Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, Inc.

NORPAC

opsis architecture LLP

June L. Rose

Steelscape

Steve and Maxine Vincent

The Wollenberg Foundation

Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges

Weyerhaeuser Company

Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation

Gift HighlightsGifts from February 1, 2007 - June 29, 2007

Chris Blair

Christy A. Caballero

The CAD Store

Patricia Campbell

Crystal and Sierra Springs

Linda Daly

David Dill

William L. Dowell

German Fabian

Brendan Glaser

Angie Gogerty

Craig Greathouse

Intersect Systems, Inc.

Jack Jimison

Joseph Rand

Steven Robinson

Gifts of Materials & Equipment

You can make a lasting gift in the new LCC Rose Center for the Arts. We’ll engrave your name or the name of someone you’d like to honor on an auditorium seat for $1,000 per seat.

For information on naming opportunities, contact the Lower Columbia College Foundation a t ( 3 6 0 ) 4 4 2 - 2 1 3 0 o r e m a i l foundation@lowercolumbia.edu.

Sit and Be Recognized

Softball champs again!The LCC Lady Red Devils celebrated the team’s eighth NWAACC softball championship in nine years, sealed with a May 21 victory over Clackamas Community College.

Coach Tim Mackin was named Coach of the Year and Jessi Hanna was named MVP. Courtney Mathews, Brittany Warren, Carri O’Neil and Hayley Ridout joined her as All-Stars. Hanna and Warren were also named NFCA NWAACC All-Americans.

Governor headlines CommencementGov. Chris Gregoire congratulates Krista Hill, one of the first graduates of LCC’s new Honors Program, at Commencement June 15. The Governor presented the diplomas, served as commencement speaker and attended a Student Support Services graduation reception.

5

reachinghigher campaign

approaches $4.5 million goalThe Lower Columbia College Foundation’s reachinghigher major gift campaign topped $4.1 million this spring, closing in on its $4.5 million goal.

“We’re really excited that we’ve achieved that milestone and we’re grateful for the support of the staff and community for this effort,” said campaign chair Steve Vincent. “A big thank-you to those who have given to the College.” Vincent expects to wrap up the campaign late this year, about the time the new Rose Center for the Arts opens.

Many new gifts focus on the Rose Center. For example, the area between the new center and the Student Center will be landscaped with trees and named the Eric Colin Feasey Heritage Grove, in memory of Mr. Feasey, a former LCC trustee and forester for many years in this community. Other named areas will be the Quoidbach Courtyard and Weyerhaeuser Plaza.

Monetary donations have pushed the Foundation’s assets to $10.3 million, an excellent investment basis to support long-term programs and goals.

More information about the Foundation and the reachinghigher campaign are available on the Foundation website, lowercolumbia.edu/foundation, or by phoning the office at (360) 442-2130.

LCC players at higher LevelLCC Baseball outfielder Lyndon Estill was drafted in the 8th round of the Major League Amateur Draft by the Chicago White Sox. He’s currently playing for the Sox’ Great Falls, Montana minor league affiliate.

Several other baseball players are going on to play 4-year ball: Tyler McCallum at New Mexico State, Jose Ortiz at Bellevue Nebraska University, Cort Carpenter at University of Portland, Paul Dickey at University of Washington, Garret Brown at Missouri Western University and Miles Stratton at Corban University.

Others signed to play for 4-year colleges are:

• Softball—Courtney Mathews, Lambuth University, Jackson, Tennessee; and Brittany Warren, Oregon Institute of Technology

• Men’s Basketball—Mickey Polis, Portland State University

• Women’s Basketball—Samantha James, Montana Western University

• Women’s Soccer—Trisha Halvorson, St. Martins University; and Ashley Biral, St. Martins University.

6

Laura E. Brener, Dean of Instruction at Centralia College, joined Lower Columbia College on August 1 as new Vice President for Instruction and Dean of Faculty.

“My first goal is to learn as much as I can about the campus and its history and culture,” said Brener. “I am a collaborator by nature, so I will work with the faculty, staff and administration to

identify particular needs, set goals and further the ability of the college to assist students in reaching their fullest potential.”

Brener grew up in New York and earned her bachelor’s and master’s

degrees in Sociology and History from S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook. She did

doctoral work and research in History at Rutgers University.

After teaching Social Studies at East Brunswick High School, she taught college classes at Walla Walla Community College and Whitman College before joining Centralia College in 1989 as a faculty member in History and Political Science.

Brener was President of the Centralia College Federation of Teachers for seven years and Vice President of the Washington State Federation of Teachers for five. As Local President, she was lead negotiator during contract negotiations with the college for three contracts.

She moved up to Interim Dean of Instruction in 2002 and then Dean of Instruction in 2003, overseeing the Academic Transfer programs, as well as the Writing Center and Math Center.

“We’re fortunate to have her,” says LCC President Dr. James McLaughlin. “She has an excellent background that fits this college very well. She will bring a lot of wonderful experience to our college. We are delighted to find someone within the Washington community college system; someone who understands the issues in our system and our area. She comes very highly recommended.”

LCC welcomes new VP for Instruction

Dennis wins Teaching & Learning AwardGeorge Dennis, Developmental Education Instructor and Chair of the Pre-College Department at Lower Columbia College, received the Pacific Northwest Teaching & Learning Conference’s first ever Teaching, Learning and Assessment Award.

Dennis, who has taught at LCC for 31 years, received the new award May 3 at the Teaching and Learning

Conference in Vancouver.

Dean of Instructional Programs Robert Rodger nominated Dennis, with support from fellow Dean Geary Greenleaf. “George’s commitment to data-driven curriculum design and implementation has produced many excellent features of LCC’s Pre-College instruction, Learning

Center, Tutoring Center and faculty development efforts,” Rodger wrote,

adding an impressive list of Dennis’ accomplishments.

Dennis won the Northwest Co l lege Read ing and Learning Association’s Outstanding Educator award for 2002.

Faculty celebrate retirementMartin Sherry, Kathy Demarest and Loren McNair celebrate their retirement at LCC’s Spring Reception in May.

Dr. Sherry, who started in 1974, taught both music and mathematics at LCC, helping to develop LCC’s innovative curriculum.

Demarest, a veteran of 19 years, was key to the development and success of the LCC Learning Center, which assists students with basics skills.

McNair, retiring after 32 years as an instructor for the Diesel and Heavy Equipment program, also worked closely with local employers to ensure that his students had the knowledge and skills they required.

7

Employer Honor RollWhen we talk about business assets, most people think of buildings, equipment, customers and money. However, people are your most important asset. These employers below know that. They invest in their employees, paying for training and most or all of other education expenses.

Education Expenses & Work-Related Training

Weyerhaeuser

Longview Fibre

Columbia River Carbonates

Steelscape

EquaChlor

Cowlitz Bank

Cowlitz PUD

Clatskanie PUD

Olson Manufacturing

Red Canoe Credit Union

Work-Related Training

Wahkiakum County

Other employers support their employees’ education in other ways, such as fellowships and flexible scheduling. The Employee Honor Roll is a new feature in Catalyst, so if you belong here, please let us know. Email jbooth@lowercolumbia.edu with your information.

Reid returns to Skamokawa Dennis Reid (1978) is back home, a vice-president at Hometown National Bank in Longview after spending 25 years in agricultural lending in the Wenatchee and Chelan areas.

“I was probably the only General Agriculture graduate LCC ever had,” said Reid, The son of a logger, Reid had served 10 years in the Navy before coming home to attend college on the GI

bill. He was an honor student, although he carried a heavy course load. Reid recalls that he sat near the door of his last class of the day, so he could dash back to Skamokawa, where his wife was filling in at his job running a gas station. He also had a work-study job, helping in LCC’s Veterans Office.

After finishing his bachelor’s in Agricultural Economics at WSU-Pullman in 1980, Reid worked 15 years for the Farmers Home Administration in Wenatchee and then in commercial banking before returning to Skamokawa. He and his wife, Vickie, built on her family property, where he is a part-time tree farmer, and devoted grandpa and Cougar fan.

Alumni Update:

Red Canoe’s Malone paired education with advancement

Debbie Malone (2004), Vice President for Operations at Red Canoe Credit Union, started her banking career after taking a few office skills classes at LCC. Columbia National Bank hired her as a proof operator. “I was hired right away. That 10-key class really helped.”

She moved to the credit union a few years later and knew she had found a home. “I took advantage of the

credit union’s education program (reimbursing up to 80% of education expenses) and started back at LCC.”

Malone worked her way up to Branch Manager and, when she learned the VP for Operations would be retiring, set her sights on that position. “I got really serious about finishing my degree at LCC.” She finished her Associate’s degree in Business Management in 2004, the year she became VP.

She speaks highly of her LCC instructors—not just how well they taught, but the example they set. “I could see that this was what they wanted to be doing. Being an older student, that was really good for me to see. They were very inspirational.”

Malone finished her bachelor’s degree in January through The University of Phoenix online program. “It was very helpful. I work 40-50 hours per week and I could do that evenings and on weekends.”

“I’m so glad I went to school later, because I know much more about today, and the technology of today. An education is always useful. It’s even more so when you have lived in the real world.”

By creating a charitable gift annuity, you can receive a fixed income for the rest of your life and make a significant donation to Lower Columbia College Foundation.

A charitable gift annuity can benefit you personally by ensuring:

• Fixed lifetime payments for one or two people

• Partially tax-free payments

• A substantial income tax deduction

For more information, please contact the Lower Columbia College Foundation at (360) 442-2130 or email foundation@lowercolumbia.edu

Gift Annuities Give a gift . . .

Receive income for life

Lower Columbia College1600 Maple StreetPO Box 3010Longview, WA 98632-0310

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Class of ’04 Class of ’06

Class of ’06

Class of ’78

Class of ’99