Distinguished Alumni Awardees

2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 and before

At Lane Community College, we are proud of every student. The Distinguished Alumni Awards give us an opportunity to profile students who have gone on to make a difference in their communities, and who have remembered the college along the way.

Distinguished Alumni — 2014 Awardees

photo of Commissioner Bill Dwyer

1960's Honoree Commissioner Bill Dwyer

Bill Dwyer has a long history of service to our community and our state. He has served as an Oregon State Representative, an Oregon State Senator, and also as a Lane County Commissioner.

Commissioner Dwyer moved with his wife and children to Eugene in 1965, just one year after the bond establishing the college was passed in 1964. He recalls the early days of Lane Community College, when classes were held on Monroe Street in Eugene.

Commissioner Dwyer attended Lane for two years in 1968 and 1969, and sees the college as a place that gives students the opportunity to follow their dreams whether they are planning to transfer or join the workforce. For Commissioner Dwyer, the importance of access to affordable education cannot be overstated, he says, "The enemy we all have is poverty. We need to break the cycle." One of his concerns today is the rising cost of education and the disproportionate effect this has on those living in poverty and their access to higher education.

After his time at Lane, he became increasingly involved in politics, chairing the local Democratic Party and eventually running for public office. He says, "Education is important, and throughout my career I was proud to say I attended Lane."

Two of Commissioner Dwyer's children are currently attending Lane Community College. His daughter, Cheryl, received her associate's degree in culinary, and is now working towards an additional degree while his daughter, Linda, is going back to school at LCC this year as well.

Commissioner Dwyer appreciates that Lane, as the community's college, gives people the opportunity for new classes that may not have been offered previously, as well as plenty of opportunities for lifelong learning. He says, "I love the idea that if there was a subject that interested me or if I wanted to teach something that people were interested in, that we could put together a class." Commissioner Dwyer is a lifelong learner and continues to support Lane and the community.

photo of Doug Koke

1970's Honoree Doug Koké

Doug Koke, owner of QSL Print Communications, sees Lane Community College as a place for people to better themselves and transform their dreams and interests into a successful career path.

When Doug graduated from high school he began working full-time for his father's business. He wanted to go to college, but it seemed impossible with his schedule. He was delighted to discover that he could take night courses at Lane and fit his classes around his work schedule. This flexibility allowed him to continue his education and set out on the path to achieving his own goals.

Doug took courses in Business Management and has never forgotten the impact education made on his life and his family. His wife, Nancy, received a nursing degree from Lane and his daughter, Keri, attended as well.

Doug feels that Lane is an important part of our community. He says, "Anybody that wants to learn something can go to Lane, you don't have a certain background or a checkbook to qualify." Doug also appreciates Lane's focus on workforce development and course offerings that strengthen his employees' skills as technology evolves.

QSL Print Communications is the print sponsor for Lane Community College Foundation's annual Harvest Dinner. His support of the LCC Foundation over the years has been instrumental in fundraising efforts for student scholarships at Lane.

Currently, Doug is enjoying spending his free time volunteering for various organizations in the community. He serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Club and is involved with the Relief Nursery.

photo of Dr. Terri Baarstad

1980's Honoree Dr. Terri Baarstad

Dr. Terri Baarstad, has always found Lane Community College to be there for her when she needed it most. After her first year at the University of Oregon, she wanted a change and enrolled in the Dental Assisting program at Lane. As the first person in her family to go to college, she recalls appreciating the small class sizes and accessibility of the faculty. She completed the program, began working in the field, married, and started a family. After a few years she had a realization, "One day I'm sitting across from the dentist thinking, 'I could do that. I should be over there!'." She began to research what it would take to become a dentist, and continued her journey by signing up for night courses at Lane.

As a single mother with two young children, she faced opposition from some who thought her goal of becoming a dentist was unrealistic. But she had a plan, she mapped out the courses she needed, juggling work and raising her children, and at the end she wrote the words, "Graduate. Be a dentist." She stuck to the plan, finishing her prerequisite courses at Lane and the University of Oregon before finally enrolling in dental school at Oregon Health Sciences University and receiving a Doctorate in Medical Dentistry in 2001.
Now, a successful dentist with thriving practices in Eugene and Springfield, she sees the positive impact Lane has on health professions in Lane County. She says, "The dental assisting and dental hygiene programs are vital to the dental community. Lane graduates are well trained and valuable team members." Her own children both attended Lane and she considers the college to be a place of opportunity-wherever you are in life.

Dr. Baarstad appreciates the value of community service and devotes herself to improving the dental health of those around her. She is passionate about helping young men and women explore a career in dentistry and is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Oregon Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
Having attended Lane in both the 1980's and the 1990's, she is pleased to see the effect of the college's immersion within the community, and knows that Lane is a valuable asset to all life-long learners.

photo of Shirley Andress Tendick

1990's Honoree Shirley Andress Tendick

Shirley Andress Tendick started her musical career early, singing and acting in productions at Pleasant Hill High School. She credits Lane Community College with being the stepping stone she needed to start her long and successful career as a singer, actress, and teacher. At Lane she did it all, she sang with the vocal jazz ensemble, acted in three main stage theatre productions, took dance classes, and learned how to audition. She says, "I definitely got my start at LCC. It was a very nurturing environment and the connections I made there led to my first paying gig." Shirley felt valued and encouraged by instructors and appreciates the impact on her career and life that the Lane Performing Arts Program has had.

Shirley transferred from Lane to the University of Oregon where she received her degree in Music Education. She has been a principle with the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts for 17 years and is a founding member and lead singer of The Emerald City Jazz Kings. For the past 6 seasons has assumed the role of artistic director for The Shedd's Christmas show and the Oregon Festival of American Music's Summer Musical. She manages her own private studio teaching voice. In addition, Shirley has worked closely through the years with the Performing Arts department at Lane. She enjoys her role as a mentor to students and has also assisted with many performance-based projects. She says, "I enjoy doing this, I like to give students the same things that were given to me; constructive criticism and encouragement."

Shirley is not the only member of her family who is a Lane alum. For Shirley and her family being a Lane alum is a multi-generational endeavor--Her mother received a nursing degree from Lane, one of Shirley's daughters graduated from the Dental Assisting Program, two other daughters went to Lane before transferring to the University of Oregon, and her son is a graduate of Lane's culinary program. She encouraged all of her children to start at Lane because of her connection to the college and knowledge of the affordability and quality of the education they would receive. For this talented and deeply rooted community treasure, Lane was a starting point in kicking off an amazing journey that continues to touch and delight her fellow community members throughout the years.

photo of Dr. Tobias Policha

2000's Honoree Dr. Tobias Policha

Dr. Tobias Policha's interest in botany was nurtured from childhood as he and his mother, an avid gardener, worked outside in their garden. After high-school, he worked for two seasons in the field of organic agriculture and became inspired by Seeds of Change, an organic seed company. Tobias recalls, "The work they were doing really peaked my interest in seeds, how they are passed down through generations, how they change, how we collect them, and how we share them."

When Tobias came to Eugene he furthered these interests by getting involved in community gardening and education based volunteer projects- blending his interest in food production and sustainable living in the context of community activism.

Tobias attended Lane Community College for four years, working and volunteering all the while. What he appreciated most about his time at Lane was that all of his instructors knew him by name and there were many opportunities for personal and small group connections. Lane's Sustainable program is very grass-roots and really encompasses what is an important and quickly-growing movement.

One of Tobias's biggest influences at Lane Community College was Gail Baker, a Botany Instructor. He appreciated the creative ways she encouraged students to be more involved and studying out into the field. His time at Lane fostered his passion for botany and prepared him to continue his studies at the University of Oregon. He recalls, "The combination of a supportive environment with small and personal course structures, and opportunities like co-operative education and independent study options prepared me for success. I probably wouldn't have gone on if I had started somewhere else."

And go on he did, in 2014 Tobias received a PhD. in Biology from the University of Oregon. Today he is an Adjunct Instructor at the UofO in the Institute of Ecology and Evolution.

Distinguished Alumni — 2013 Awardees

These four, like thousands of other Lane alumni, have achieved their dreams and made contributions to assisting other students and programs at Lane Community College while bettering our community. They are shining examples of the power of education and philanthropy.

SallyLou Bonzer

Sallylou Bonzer

Retired Army Captain and nurse, believes in the value of education and the importance of public service and volunteerism. "Sign me up!" has always been her motto. When the army came calling during WW2, she enlisted immediately; leaving her nursing position at St.Luke's Episcopal Hospital and joined the frontline nurses at the battle of Normandy. For her service, she received numerous medals and honors, including The American Society of the French Legion of Honor, and multiple bronze stars. During her tour of service, Sallylou met her future husband, John Bonzer, although they didn't start a courtship until meeting again in 1946 at a New Jersey hospital, "Sign me up" she said and they were and married in 1947.

Sallylou's nursing career was featured in various publications including The Chicago Tribune and a five-page pictorial spread in the 1948 April Fools edition of the Saturday Evening Post, "I think it was perfect for me, it matched my feisty personality" Sallylou, says.

Friends describe Sallylou as having a sparkling quick-witted personality, strength of character, and filled with a love of learning. Sallylou and John moved to Eugene in 1949. He practiced Internal Medicine while Sallylou kept busy raising four children, serving as a member of the D.A.R, Junior League, teaching local students, and volunteering at a post-polio school. Sallylou always planned to return to school and once her children were grown she realized that dream by enrolling at Lane Community College in the late 1960's to earn a transfer degree. Sallylou, says, "Lane offered me a chance to start a new chapter in my life."

After finishing up at Lane she went to work for Sacred Heart while earning a bachelor's degree in Special Education at the University of Oregon. She truly is a lifelong learner. Today, Sallylou stays active by swimming daily, sewing for the Teddy Bear Club and volunteering on the Alzheimer's floor at Cascade Manor, a job she says is hard but very rewarding. She is looking forward to becoming more involved with Lane Community College. "Sign me up", she says.

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Julie Daniel

Julie Daniel

Executive Director of BRING Recycling, sees Lane Community College as a pragmatic, practical institution meeting students wherever they are in life, guiding them, encouraging them, and giving them confidence to succeed.

Julie first came to Lane as a 21-year-old single mother and recent immigrant, trying to find career training to support her family. Julie found Lane to be open and welcoming. She earned a certificate in Landscape Maintenance and Management and after graduation was immediately offered a job that paid double minimum wage.

In her mid-40's she returned to Lane. She lived 40 miles from the Florence campus and signed up for distance learning classes, which at that time were delivered on VHS tapes. The flexibility of the classes and the helpful faculty and staff made it possible for Julie to work full time and care for her children while working towards her associate's degree. Julie says, "I attribute much of my success and ability to manage life to the skills I learned at Lane."

Julie went on to complete the Non-Profit Management certificate through Lane's Business Development Center and took over as director of BRING Recycling. At BRING she has presided over nothing short of a revolution. She's transformed a grass-roots group into a self-sustaining, entrepreneurial non-profit organization dedicated to promoting earth-friendly practices to help people live well without waste and make the best use of natural resources.

Julie encourages students from Lane's Environmental Science and Energy Management programs to use BRING's Planet Improvement Center campus to see firsthand practical applications for their fields of study.

Julie says, "Lane is so good at helping people realize new possibilities. That is what Lane means to me, a place that makes new opportunities possible; it's why it is such a neat school. It is accessible to everyone, and it is a community treasure."

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Dr. Helen Lester

Dr. Helen Lester

She grew up in a home where volunteerism and community service were highly valued. Her mother, Dee, taught her to be aware of community needs and to respond to them, and she actively pursues this practice daily. She says, "I have an obligation to give back to the community and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be able to help in so many ways."

Helen attended the Dental Hygiene program at Lane Community College before pursuing a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon. She then attended Creighton University where she received her doctoral degree. Her time at Lane gave her a strong foundation in the dental field and helped her achieve her career goals. Helen says, "It was an amazing education. My teachers were exceptional and committed to producing well-qualified dental hygienists primed for success."

Helen invites prospective dental program students into her practice, providing them the opportunity to shadow her and her staff. She works with the dental assisting program offering internships and holds "mock interviews" to prepare students for graduation. She volunteers at the Lane Sealant Clinic, frequently offers guest lectures at Lane and has instructed students in the Dental Hygiene 2 program.

Helen also finds time to volunteer with Medical Teams International, bringing dental services and supplies to remote villages in Guatemala. Locally provides dental screenings for schools and offers dental care for low-income Lane students at no-charge. Helen gets as much out of her service as she gives, "I continue to be encouraged to improve myself, to find ways to help more people, and to enhance upon the foundation I learned at Lane." she, says.

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Mike Wildish

Mike Wildish

Vice President and General Manager of Wildish Construction Company Eugene Operations and Assistant Secretary for Wildish Land Company, has a long history of giving back to his community and ties to Lane Community College. He remembers working on the parking lot by the baseball fields as a young teen when Wildish was constructing the main campus. He always knew that he would attend Lane and work for his family's company.

At Lane Mile learned focus, had the chance to mature as a student, and the ability to play baseball for the Titans, all while living at home and saving money to attend a four-year college. He thought about attending OSU but he just couldn't put on the orange and black. (GO Ducks!)

Mike believes in a culture of businesses supporting the local community. He encourages employee outreach and supports whatever avenues employees want to pursue in making our community a better place. Wildish is thankful for the opportunity to be involved in giving back to a community that has supported its company for over 78 years. Mike credits these learned values to his grandfather, father, and uncles for exemplifying how individuals and organizations can make a difference in the lives of the people they serve. Mike and his team at Wildish encourage employees to take classes at Lane to further their education and to be "lifelong learners" by subsidizing tuition.

"Lane is a tremendous value with a great variety of programs offered, opportunities provided, flexible class schedules and approachable faculty and staff." Mike says. He also believes that Lane provides an opportunity for almost anyone to go to college. He is proud of his affiliation with Lane and inspired by the growth that has taken place and all the individuals and families that have been helped by the continued expansion of Lane's extensive presence in the community.

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Distinguished Alumni — 2012 Awardees

These four, like thousands of other Lane alumni, have achieved their dreams and made contributions that better our community.

Colt Gill: Invested in Education

Colt Gill

As superintendent of Eugene's Bethel School District, Colt Gill is focused on making a difference in kids' lives, but the former math major didn't discover he had a passion for helping students until he enrolled in a cooperative work experience program at Lane Community College.

"I got to work directly with students in elementary school and I realized my passion was helping kids learn and helping kids who are having trouble," Colt recalls. "My experience at Lane led me to pursue a degree in education."

Colt transferred to the University of Oregon earning a bachelor's degree in education and a graduate degree in education policy management. He has been an educator for 22 years, serving as a teacher, principal, district technology director, curriculum and instruction director, and assistant superintendent, in addition to his current role as superintendent.
As a school district administrator, Colt is focused on improving school leadership and supporting instruction in the classroom so that all students can achieve at high levels and realize success in the community after graduating.

Colt was recently appointed by Governor Kitzhaber as a Commissioner on Oregon's Quality Education Commission, he has also served as an appointed advisor to the Oregon State Board of Education.

A strong believer in community service, Colt is President-Elect of United Way of Lane County, and has chaired the organization's Success By 6 and Promise Neighborhood initiatives.

Colt also works with the Education Partnership initiative meeting regularly with other leaders in education to expand the pipeline of area high school graduates who are entering college ready to learn. He is actively involved in achieving the state's 40/40/20 goal, which seeks to see 40 percent of Oregon high school students go on to earn four-year college degrees, 40 percent complete two-year programs and 20 percent earn high school degrees.

"Community college is the gateway to earning a degree," he says "And higher education is the pathway to Oregon becoming more economically stable"

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Dan Dunnington

Dan Dunnington

Dan Dunnington says the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the community is one of the reasons Lane Community College is such a vital institution.

"Lane realizes that it has to always be evolving," says Dunnington, a retired stockbroker. "Whether it's changes in the lumber industry or the technology sector or the need for more nurses, Lane has been quicker to respond than many four-year colleges." While the most popular areas of study have shifted and changed since Dan was a student at Lane in the 1970's the spirit of Lane remains the same.

"When I came out of high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do," Dan recalls. "At Lane, I started getting interested in education and learning. I knew I wanted a college degree, I just didn't know where to start." For Dan, Lane offered smaller classrooms, personal instruction, affordable tuition and a sense of direction.

Getting a jump-start at Lane led Dan on a path to success in the financial services industry. He transferred to the University of Oregon where he studied social psychology and business and went on to spend 32 years as a stockbroker. At the time of his retirement, he was the first vice president of wealth management for Morgan Stanley.

A strong supporter of community causes, Dan served as a board member of the Children's Trust Fund of Oregon helping to foster healthy child development. He is a past president of the board for the Eugene Executives Association and served as an arbitrator for the National Association of Securities Dealers. Dan continues to serve the Oregon FBI Citizens' Academy where he works as treasurer, and he is an active fundraiser and advisor for The Child Center, an organization he has been involved with for more than 20 years.

Dan has supported Lane by serving as a president of the LCC Foundation Board of Directors for two years and as a board member for 11 years. He served on the Foundation's scholarship review and award committee and, together with his wife, Chris, served as the Harvest Dinner Chair in 2005.

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Jacque Betz

Jacque Betz

Jacque Betz, Florence City Manager, sees the Florence branch of Lane Community College as part of a community education continuum that carries students all the way from kindergarten to college.

"If you drive down Oak Street in Florence, you run into Siuslaw Elementary School, Middle School and High School and then you come to LCC," says Jacque, the city manager of Florence. "We're very fortunate to have this campus in Florence."

Jacque didn't grow up in Florence, but the Springfield High School graduate took full advantage of Lane's Florence branch and all that it offered – after hours classes, small classrooms and close interaction with instructors. She attended the college from 2002 to 2003 while working for the Florence Police Department and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Oregon State University. She quickly rose through the ranks of Florence government to reach her current position, something that she says wouldn't have been possible without Lane.

"Lane brought me structure," Jacque says. "Even though I had a very stable job, going back to school required me to be disciplined and dedicated and made me understand how to manage my time, how to meet deadlines and how to prepare for projects, which is really applicable to what I'm doing now in working to shape the future of the community."
Jacque has given back to the community by serving on the boards of the League of Oregon Cities and the Oregon City/County Managers Association. She has given back to Lane by serving on the Florence Campus Advisory Committee and on the LCC Budget Committee. She has also supported scholarships for Lane students.

An avid marathon runner, Jacque believes in going the distance to make education a community priority. She says Florence is a special place filled with citizens who are eager to engage with their centrally located schools, and she sees part of her job being to encourage and foster those strong ties that exist between schools and colleges and the community.

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Karen Cardin

Kim Cardin

Karen Bernheim Cardin, a corporate jet pilot for Les Schwab Tires, has always believed strongly in the value of a community college education.

Karen grew up in Pleasant Hill, but her first encounter with Lane was during high school when she was selected to play bass in a musical production on the campus. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in the Lane Aviation Academy program and got her first aviation job at the Creswell Airport.

She attended Lane and the University of Oregon simultaneously and earned her bachelor's degree in communications. Even though she graduated from the UO, she considers Lane her alma mater.

After finishing her flight training at Lane, Karen worked at the college as a flight instructor. She went on to serve as a pilot for the US Forest Service, Westair/United Express and Morris Air/Southwest Airlines.

Today, Karen is active in her community in Central Oregon, both on the ground and in the air. She volunteers with Air Search and Rescue and is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Safety Foundation. She serves on the worship team at her church and is the bass player for the Gospel Choir of the Cascades.

Karen also enjoys mentoring young aspiring pilots at Sisters High School through the ASPIRE program and guest lecturing at the Central Oregon Community College Aviation program. She says it gives her the chance to share real world experiences with students, which is something that community colleges like Lane do so well.

"Lane offers such a valuable education," she says. "You have really great instructors, it's affordable and it's a real life education - you can actually go out and get a job with the skills you learn."

A single mother who believes a Lane education can help empower other parents supporting children on one income; Karen has made financial contributions to the Aviation and Women's programs at Lane. And even though she no longer lives down the road from Lane, she still considers it an integral part of who she is today.

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Lane's Distinguished Alumni for 2011

Don Rainer

Don Ranier

Don Rainer enrolled at Lane Community College after graduating from high school in Eugene. Over the next few years Don took classes at Lane part time and worked to pay his tuition. He then transferred to the University of Oregon earning a bachelor's degree in Communications in 1989.

Don is currently Senior Vice President at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management in Portland where he has worked since 1998. Don's financial expertise is a great asset to the organizations he gives his time to. He is a current member of the Lane Community College Foundation Board of Trustees and has served on the finance committee since 2006. He has also taken leadership roles with Oregon's March of Dimes and the Oregon Independent College Foundation. Besides offering his financial expertise to these organizations, Don also spends time volunteering at his children's schools helping with events and fundraisers.

Don is an advocate for community college education. "Community colleges train our workers and touch all parts of the economy. Lane Community College gave me an opportunity to take education at my own pace. After high school, I was not prepared for a four year university nor could I afford it. Lane allowed me to work, go to school part time and also gave me a chance to find myself."

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James Florendo

James Florendo

James Florendo is a member of the Lane Community College faculty, Native American Programs coordinator, and steward of Lane's new Longhouse. As a member of the Wasco nation, one of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, his deep roots in and knowledge of Native American traditions is a valuable asset in understanding the needs and dreams of the growing number of Native American students choosing Lane to begin their higher education.

James started his post-secondary education at the University of Oregon, but he found the transition from life on a reservation to living in a university town very difficult. He decided to enroll at Lane where he thrived, finding staff who were ready to go the extra mile to help him establish himself as a student in higher education. He returned to UO after two years at Lane, earning a bachelor's degree and continuing on to a Master's of Fine Arts.

In understanding the special cultural needs and perspectives of Native American students James has said, "I want them to come to Lane Community College, I want them to experience what this school has to offer. Building a solid academic foundation for these students is critical to their educational success.

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Karin Clarke

Karin Clarke

While studying Theatre Arts at the University of Oregon, Karin Clarke developed an interest in graphic arts. She had heard about Lane Community College's excellent Graphic Design program and enrolled at Lane shortly after finishing her bachelor's degree. In 2000 she finished the program with an associate's degree in graphic design.

Based on the strong portfolio and skills she developed while at Lane, she was hired by Inovar Advertising and Design as a graphic designer. When the company closed a year later, Karin happily returned to Lane to take more fine arts classes. "The instructors were great and very supportive as I tried to decide what my next step would be" she says.

In the fall of 2002 she opened the Karin Clarke Gallery in downtown Eugene. Her first show featured work by her parents, Mark Clarke and Margaret Coe. Today the gallery offers our community a glimpse into the rich and brilliant history of 20th century Northwest painting and sculpture as well as the work of emerging regional artists.

In addition to regularly curating shows for her own gallery, Karin often volunteers her time to support the arts in our community. She has served on numerous art selection committees for local institutions, including Lane's new Health and Wellness Center.

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Kevin Alltucker

Kevin Alltucker

Kevin Alltucker enrolled at Lane Community College in 1978. Two years later he transferred to Oregon State University where he earned a degree in Construction Engineering followed by a successful career in the construction industry.

In 1992, Kevin began volunteering for the Relief Nursery. Shocked by the realities faced by at risk children and their families, he decided to work towards a change and promote reforms.

In 2004 Kevin earned his PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon. Today, Kevin is an assistant professor in the College of Education's Family and Human Services program; he is also the author of numerous publications addressing the need for reforms in education and child welfare.

Kevin has given much of his time to support local agencies in their efforts to better the lives of children in our community. He has worked with United Way's Success by 6 Initiative, the Relief Nursery , CASA, Kids First, Head Start and EC CARES to name a few.

Many of the students in Kevin's classes, like him, got their start at Lane. He says, "Lane gave me a solid base for my continuing education and professional career. Lane students coming to the University are consistently well prepared for our program."

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Distinguished Alumni — 2010 Awardees

Rosaria Haugland

Rosaria Haugland

President, Rosaria P. Haugland Foundation. Ph.D, founder of Molecular Probes. Rosaria came to Lane after earning her Ph.D in biochemistry from Syracuse. She took courses in small business management along with her husband. Together they founded Molecular Probes in 1975.

Since retiring from her work in science, Rosaria has been involved in volunteer leadership for many community organizations and is the founder of Ophelia's Place, a community organization dedicated to the empowerment of young women. She has been a Board member of the Lane Community College Foundation since 2004.

Rosaria is devoted to our community and to higher education for women. The Council for Resource Development (CRD) Award recognized Rosaria for her outstanding contributions to Lane Community College. The CRD Benefactor Award embodies the ideals of philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism in the service of community, technical, and junior colleges. Read more about Rosaria...

Watch a video here to learn more...

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Nancy Kinnard

Nancy Kinnard

V.P. Business Relationships, Summit Bank. After receiving her Associate's degree from Lane in 1972 Nancy went on to UO for her BA. While her degree was in Elementary Education, her life-long career and passion have been in Banking. A bank manager for over 20 years she has paved the way for women in our community to fill similar roles in the banking world.

Nancy serves on the board of directors for several community organizations. In addition, she is often called upon by community groups who benefit from her fundraising and financial expertise. Nancy is a strong advocate for community college education and has worked to build relationships between the banking community and the Lane Community College Foundation. Read more about Nancy...

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Paul Machu

Paul Machu

Award-winning producer and director at Chambers Productions . Growing up in L.A., Paul worked odd jobs in the film industry. But it wasn't until 1979 when he moved to Eugene and enrolled at Lane that he discovered his passion for the news and entertainment industry. In 1981 he was hired at KVAL in Eugene with stellar references from his film and media instructors. Today, Machu is an Executive Producer at Chambers Communications.

Machu has served on the media department advisory committee here at Lane and he has also worked as a mentor with cooperative education interns. Machu believes that Lane internships are a great way for students to network and meet with potential employers. Read more about Paul...

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Nancy Radcliffe

Nancy Radcliffe

Nancy was the first person in her family to go to college. At Lane, she studied accounting and felt it was a natural transition to continue at UO. Her memories of Lane are of the fantastic teachers in accounting and economics as well as helpful counselors.

Nancy has worked in management at Standard Oil, Tektronix, the Hult Center and the YMCA; she was also the controller for EPIC (Educational Policy Improvement Center) at the University of Oregon and has worked as a consultant for defense attorneys. She is a dedicated community volunteer giving her time to the United Way, serving as PTA president, and on several 4J School District curriculum committees. She's currently a member of Women in Philanthropy. Nancy has been a generous financial supporter of Lane for nearly ten years.

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