PULLMAN, Wash. — Alumni from Washington’s six public universities will convene in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 11, to confer with legislators, attend legislative briefing sessions and committee meetings, and gather for a reception with Gov. Gary Locke in the state’s first-ever Higher Education Day.
The day’s events begin with a legislative luncheon at noon. KING-TV news anchor Jean Enersen will emcee the luncheon. Co-speakers of the House of Representatives Clyde Ballard (R-Wenatchee) and Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) will deliver the keynote addresses. Former Washington State University lobbyist Warren Bishop will present the Bob Waldo Award for Public Service to Higher Education to Chuck Collins, chair of the Commission on Student Learning.
In the afternoon, alumni participants will visit with state legislators, tour the capitol, and attend committee meetings.
The day’s events will be capped by an evening reception with Gov. Gary Locke at the Governor’s Mansion. Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder (D-Long Beach) will make a brief statement before introducing Gov. Locke to alumni guests.
“Higher Education Day’s aim is to focus attention on public support for higher education and provide an opportunity for the state’s alumni associations to share their concerns with elected officials during the 1999 legislative session,” said WSU Alumni Association President Craig Gable.
This year, all six state baccalaureate institutions agree that the 1999 State Legislature needs to address as its first priority improving salary increases for faculty and staff and increasing the capacity of the state’s public institutions of higher education to add more students.
Top higher education leaders attending the day’s program include WSU President Sam Smith, University of Washington President Richard McCormick, Western Washington University President Karen Morse, and Evergreen State College President Jane Jervis.
In all, more than 300 alumni are expected to gather in Olympia from all six institutions, including Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University.
For more information about Higher Education Day, please contact Jane Yung, assistant director for Alumni Legislative and Enrollment Networks, Washington State University, at
206/448-1332.
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