Walla Walla Community College Wins National Excellence Award

One of Washington’s many talented community colleges, Walla Walla, was honored on Tuesday with the prestigious Aspen Award – along with a $400,000 grant to grow their successful programs.

The national award recognizes a community college that does an exceptional job at graduating students and preparing them for careers or further education at a four year institution. Schools are judged on student learning outcomes, degree completion, labor market success in securing good jobs after college, and facilitating minority and low-income student success.

Traditionally the Aspen Award is presented to just one community college, but Walla Walla shared the top honors with Santa Barbara City College. The selection committee felt that both had excelled equally among the criteria.

WWCC was chosen for its success in predicting and meeting demand in new and growing industries. During the recession they were one of the few rural community colleges to grow, primarily because of their willingness to shrink or close programs and shift resources to more popular areas.

The college doubled enrollment in their nursing program when market research suggested an upcoming shortage, and they successfully anticipated the explosive growth of Washington’s wine industry with their viticulture program. Their efforts paid off for students as well: recent Walla Walla graduates earn nearly double annual amount of other new hires in the region.

Any mention of WWCC would be incomplete without an acknowledgement of the work of the late Representative Bill Grant. A consistent advocate and nine-year member of the Board of Trustees, his years spent pushing to expand and promote the school helped pave the road to this top honor.

In memory of Rep. Bill Grant

The House Democratic Caucus mourns the loss of our colleague and Caucus Chair, Rep. Bill Grant, who passed away on January 4, 2009. The following is his obituary, courtesy of his family.

Bill Grant, husband, father, dedicated family man and community leader, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2009 in a Walla Walla hospital with his family at his side.

Bill was born Sept. 20, 1937 to Sam and Irene Grant of Prescott, Washington. He attended Prescott Grade School and graduated from Prescott High School in 1955. He attended Whitman College where he lettered in football, basketball and track. Graduating in 1959 with a degree in Physical Education, Bill taught sixth grade the following year and coached all high school sports for the Prescott school district.

In 1960, he accepted an offer from his father to join the Grant family farm as a fourth generation wheat farmer. He remained active in all aspects of the farm until his death. His fervent desire to preserve the family farm was instilled by his father, his grandfather, Oscar Grant, and his great-grandfather, Jonathan Pettyjohn. Those closest to Bill knew he enjoyed the simple pleasures of farm life. Working in his beloved wheat fields, feeding cattle, watering his garden, or monitoring the weather gave him his greatest joy and satisfaction.

Besides being a man of the land, Bill was committed to serving our communities. First elected in 1986, Bill served twenty-two years as a state legislator of the 16^th district. Upon his death, Bill was the longest-serving representative in the Washington State Legislature. He served twenty years on the powerful Appropriations Committee and since 1993 he has held the position of Democratic Caucus Chair. Bill was known as a man of his word, both honest and generous.

Some of Bill’s proudest political accomplishments in representing the 16^th district included legislation benefiting Walla Walla Community College, economic development and W.S.U Tri Cities. As a champion of farming, agriculture was always on the forefront of Bill’s legislative agenda.

Bill was a member of many local and statewide organizations. He received numerous awards in recognition of his achievements.

Bill is survived by his wife of fifty years, Nancy, and four children: Gina Bull (Ron), Oak Harbor, WA.; Laura Grant-Herriot, Walla Walla; Amy Hartford (Jerry), Prescott, WA; Jonathan Grant (Fahima), Los Angeles, CA; eight grandchildren: Lindsay Braun (Jeffrey), Tacoma, WA.; Molly Schotzko (Tim), Pullman, WA.; Grant Bull (Erin), Oak Harbor, WA.; Lauren Hanson and Kathryn Hanson, Prescott, WA.; Samantha Grant-Herriot, Hope Grant-Herriot, and Marguerite Grant-Herriot, Walla Walla. Bill is also survived by his siblings Sam Grant, Jr. (Georgene), Mary Grant Tompkins (Lynn), John Grant (Patti),and Joe Grant, and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Frank Tompkins.

A funeral Mass will be held at noon, Saturday, January 10, 2009 at St. Patrick’s church in Walla Walla. A reception will follow at the William A. Grant Water and Environmental Center on the Walla Walla Community College campus.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community College Foundation or Prescott Ivy Cemetery.

The HDC mourns the loss of our own Rep. Bill Grant

Statement from Speaker Frank Chopp on the death of Representative Bill Grant, long-time Chair of the House Democratic Caucus:

“I am very saddened by the loss of Bill Grant, and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nancy, and his children and grandchildren.

“Bill was one-of-a-kind. He was a man of the land, and he brought his farmer’s values of community, hard work and perseverance to the House of Representatives where he served for 22 years. Throughout his career, everyone who met him appreciated his honesty, generosity, and wonderful sense of humor.

“I was proud to call Bill my colleague and grateful to call him my friend. He will be deeply missed.”

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Rep. Grant's home paper, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, reports on his passing.

House Democrats elect additional leadership posts

Washington House Democrats have selected more members of their leadership team. Joining Speaker-designate Frank Chopp, Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, Caucus Chair Bill Grant, Majority Whip Sharon Tomiko Santos, and Speaker pro tem-designate Jeff Morris are:

Majority Floor Leader: Zack Hudgins

Majority Caucus Liaison: Larry Springer

Caucus Vice Chair: Dawn Morrell

Assistant Majority Floor Leader: Tami Green

Deputy Majority Whip: Kevin Van De Wege

In 2007-08, Hudgins and Springer shared Floor Leader duties while Morrell served as Deputy Majority Whip. Van De Wege was an Assistant Majority Whip.