Know a Notable Alumnus? Nominate Now

Nominations are now open for the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus Award, an award generally given annually by Highline College. The award honors former Highline students who have made notable achievements in their profession or community.

The award’s first recipient was Norm Rice in 1990, who was elected as Seattle’s first African-American mayor in 1989.

Other past recipients include Sandra Cravens Robinson, nurse and Army veteran, and Ezra Teshome, businessman and global humanitarian.

Seattle Mayor Norm Rice and Highline President Shirley Gordon, 1990

Seattle Mayor Norm Rice sits with Highline President Shirley Gordon before the 1990 commencement ceremony where he would receive the college’s first Distinguished Alumnus Award. Rice attended Highline during the 1968–69 academic year.

Eligible nominees are former students who attended Highline five or more years ago (prior to the 2013–2014 academic year). The college is looking for nominees who have made a significant contribution through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership.

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of Highline.

Nominees will be asked to submit a résumé and personal profile questionnaire for review by a campus selection committee.

The person selected will be recognized at Highline’s commencement ceremony, June 14, 2018.

Nomination forms are available online through Alumni Relations. Send submissions by May 4, 2018, via email to abhaga@highline.edu or hard copy:

Highline College Alumni Relations
PO Box 98000 MS 99-248
Des Moines, WA 98198

Questions?
Contact Asha Bhaga at (206) 592-3868 or abhaga@highline.edu.

‘I refused to let a dream die’

The Thunderword, Highline’s student newspaper, reported on a speech that Seattle Mayor Norm Rice gave to the Washington Trustees Association of Community Colleges in advance of the 1990 commencement ceremony (“HCC grad Norm Rice refuses to let dream die,” June 1, 1990, page 2). Rice was quoted as saying, “If it weren’t for HCC I would not be standing in front of you today as the mayor of the most difficult city. Dreams do come true.”