WSU Vancouver accepting nominations for two Community Awards of Distinction

One way Washington State University Vancouver is celebrating its 20th anniversary is by establishing two Community Awards of Distinction that will be given annually. The awards will be presented to community members or organizations in two categories: community partnership; equity, diversity and inclusion.

The award for community partnership will be given to an individual or organization whose leadership has made a significant impact on the community. The recipient will have demonstrated commitment to community partnerships, prosperity, vitality and the overall well-being within WSU Vancouver’s region—the greater Portland metropolitan and Southwest Washington geographic areas.

The award for equity, diversity and inclusion will be given to an individual or organization whose exceptional achievement has broadly impacted equity, diversity and inclusion within WSU Vancouver’s region.

Nominations are currently being accepted, and any member of the community may submit a nomination. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, August 5, 5 p.m. Award winners will be selected by a committee of WSU Vancouver staff, faculty and community members. The awards will be made for the first time at Washington State University Vancouver’s 20th anniversary gala on September 19.

Nomination forms may be downloaded from WSU Vancouver - Office of the Chancellor. Completed nomination forms should be sent to the Office of the Chancellor, Washington State University Vancouver, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686, or either emailed to johnsonje@vancouver.wsu.edu or faxed to 360-546-9043.

Southwest Washington workforce
area receives $4.5 million

The state Employment Security Department has awarded $4.5 million to the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council to help workers upgrade their skills and qualify for better jobs.

The funding is for the July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, fiscal year. The region’s allocation decreased by more than $800,000 compared to last year due to federal budget cuts.

The council oversees the design and delivery of work-related training services for businesses and workers in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. Services are delivered through local WorkSource centers.

The money must be used to assist laid-off workers, low-income adults and low-income or disadvantaged young people. Services include counseling, skill assessments, job-search assistance, training and job referrals.

   

Pictured here are Han Tran, left and Mary Granger right.

Living the dream

In l995 Han Tran was in the first Dreamer class of 65 students adopted by local sponsors at Washington Elementary School. Her class was encouraged to work hard, stay in school and graduate. As an incentive, the sponsors offered help with college tuition or vocational training.

Han got the message; after graduating from Fort Vancouver High School in 2003, she spent a year at Clark and then enrolled at the University of Washington, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in law, society and justice. She spent the summer and fall of 2008 in Vietnam (her original home) teaching HIV/AIDS prevention and helping the street children of Hanoi cope with their hardships.

Han says: “Being a part of the Dreamer program gave me confidence and a direction for the future. I am lucky to have had the support of the sponsors and my coordinator, Deanna Green, who are so incredibly passionate about helping others.”

On June 14 of this year Han received her Master’s Degree in social work—the first Dreamer to achieve this goal. Han was very creative in finding outside financial aid so that she didn’t need IHAD help for college tuition. However, her sponsors were pleased to assist in funding her practicum in Vietnam.

“All of us at I Have A Dream of Southwest Washington—sponsors, staff, and Dreamer students—are extremely proud of Han, says Mary Granger, president of the Dreamer program” She has been a real trailblazer and a wonderful example to her peers. Han has already begun ‘paying it forward’ by mentoring younger Dreamers as they prepare for their college experience

News briefs

The Port of Camas-Washougal has set an open house for 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, to discuss land-use concepts being considered for its 122-acre east industrial park. <> More than 4,200 students visited the Clark Public Utilities’ Ed Fisher Operations Center during the past year. Last year’s tour attracted 4th and 5th grade students from 44 schools.

Calendar

Patrick Lamb Band playing tonight, July 16, 5 to 9 p.m., Esther Short Park, 8th and Esther Streets. Cost to sit in Park Pub VIP is $25 per person or $250 per table; reservations can be made by calling Angie Laughlin at 360-992-7060 or byemailing alaughlin@realvestcorp.com. <> The Life and Times of General George Pickett, a two-act play, is being performed Friday at the Foster Auditorium at Clark College, July 17, 8 to 10 p.m., 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. For information, call 360-816-6230 or email kimm fox-middleton@nps.gov. <> The Wind in the Willows is at the Magenta Theater, Friday, July 17, 8:30 p.m.,606 Main Street, phone 360-60-0033 or email director@magentatheater.com for information. <> , Movies at Esther Short Park, July 17, 8:30 p.m., Esther Short Park, 610 Esther Street. For further information, call 360-487-8630 or email events@ci.vancouver.wa.us. <> Vancouver Farmers Market, July 17, Friday, 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday on the air

Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians (live)—4:05 p.m., FSN 710 ESPN

How media can influence public perceptions of mental illnesses and what you can do about it (7-14)—5 p.m. CVTV 23

Clark County Planning Commission (Live)—6:30 p.m. CVTV 23

Clark County land use hearings (6-25)—11:30 p.m. CVTV 23

  Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

Thursday, July 16, 2009 Headlines

Links to news of local & national significance