It’s unanimous; Clark College trustees select
Bob Knight as president of the community college

Following five presidential forums, and after reviewing feedback from between 80 and 100 members of the college and general communities, the Clark College board of trustees has voted to enter into a contract with Robert K. Knight, who will become the next president of Clark College. The unanimous vote came during the board’s Monday, May 21, meeting.

Action on a presidential contract is expected to be completed by the trustees on or before their next regular meeting Monday, June 25.

Trustee Sherry Parker said, “Bob Knight cares about Clark College. He cares about our faculty, alumni, and staff. Most of all, he cares about our students. He will listen but won’t hesitate to make tough decisions. He is a person of integrity. He is a leader who strives for the best in himself and in others.”

Trustee Kim Peery added, “We’ve had more than just forums to evaluate Bob Knight. We’ve seen him in action during the past three years. Bob Knight does everything possible to help people blossom.”

Trustee Addison Jacobs noted, “When we began this process last September, we asked people what kind of leader they were looking for. Bob Knight has a passion for Clark College. He provides inspired leadership–the kind that can create a ‘Penguin Nation.’” Jacobs added, “We could go out and conduct a national search to find a Bob Knight, but Bob Knight is right here.”

Following the Board’s discussion, interim president Knight addressed those gathered for the meeting. He credited “the Executive Cabinet, faculty and staff for the accomplishments of the past year,” noting that, “day in and day out, they do their jobs to support our students.” He added that he hopes the college community will now “move forward together.”

Board chair Rhona Sen Hoss noted, “We realize that there are those who may disagree with the selection process. But we also believe there is no proven, best process for any candidate search. It comes down to what is the best fit, the right thing to do on behalf of the college.”

Sen Hoss added, “All of us on the Board know that Bob Knight will lead the college with passion and integrity. We believe that Clark College is positioned for a future as bright as its past. We know that Bob Knight will continue to move the college forward in support of our students and our community.”

Veronika Noize named 2007
professional coach of the year

Veronika Noize, immediate past president of the NW Coaches Association, has been named the first Coach of the Year by the association.

A marketing coach in Vancouver, Noize has been active in the NWCA, a chapter of the International Coach Federation. She was cited for her integrity, leadership and commitment to professionalism, during which time the local chapter grew from 14 to 118 members.

Noize, the author of two books on coaching and an international speaker, is a certified trainer for the International Coach Academy.

“Professional coaching,” according to Noize, “is a professional partnership with clients that helps them to improve their performances and enhance the quality of their lives.”

Discussion of expansion of urban
uses in county continuing this week

The final two open houses presenting county plans to expand residential and commercial growth opportunities in the county’s growth management plan are at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the Dollars Corner Fire Station, 21609 NE 72nd Avenue, and at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, in the Rose Besserman Community Room at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, 3510 SE 164th Street.

County commissioners expect to adopt revisions in the growth management plan after two days of public hearings on Wednesday, June 6. The plan will help guide county growth through 2024.

People

Lt. Richard Ybarra, Vancouver, is among 22 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 115th Mobile Public Affairs Department being deployed to the Middle East. A public deployment ceremony for the unit is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, in the Anderson Readiness Center, Salem. The unit will first train at Fort Dix, NJ, before being sent overseas. <> Six Clark County Skills Center students will be competing nationally for the Automated Manufacturing Technology championship in Kansas City, June 24 through 30. They are as follows: Anthony Madamba, Mountain View High School, Aleksandr Mikutin, Heritage High School, Vyacheslav Sakhno, Battle Ground High School, and Leonid Voronko, Summit View High School, all enrolled in the Skills Center pre-engineering program; and Michael Anderson, Heritage High School, enrolled in the Skills Center's construction technology program; and Zachary Johnson, Hockinson High School, enrolled in the center's automotive technology program.

Calendar

Portland International Airport’s Citizen’s Noise Advisory Committee meets at 6 p.m. this evening in the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. <> The Clark County Board of Health meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, in the county commissioners’ hearing room in the Public Service Center. <> Clark County commissioners meet in an informal session at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, in conference room B in the Public Service Center.

Tuesday, May 22 Headlines

Fair plans to serve alcohol despite county objections--Columbian, Michael Andersen

Poster promotes light rail--Columbian, Don Hamilton

City approves sale of downtown buildings for $4.2 million--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

WSU engineering students solving local problems--Columbian, Courtney Sherwood

Video opens world of help for disabilities--Oregonian, Dee Anne Finken

U.K. files murder charge against Russian in death of former spy--Washington Post, Mary Jordan and Peter Finn

Democrats drop withdrawal dates from Iraq bill--New York Times, Carl Hulse

Attacks in Sunni areas in Baghdad illl at least 29--New York Times, David S. Cloud

Stocks turn higher--USA TODAY, AP

Iraq coalition casualties