Happy 35th anniversary to 91ԹϺ!
Then and now
This year marks the 35th anniversary of 91ԹϺ. On May 10, 1989, the State Legislature founded Washington State University Vancouver, which originally operated out of Bauer Hall on the Clark College campus. 91ԹϺ moved to the newly built Salmon Creek campus in 1996, which opened with just an administrative building, a library, a classroom building, a physical plant building and the bookstore building which is now the Firstenburg Student Commons. Since then, the campus has added 10 more buildings, including the brand-new Life Sciences Building.
New features on campus
91ԹϺ has changed dramatically over 35 years. Among the most notable additions to campus are:
- Life Sciences Building—60,000 square feet housing labs for biology and chemistry, cutting-edge technology for students in STEM, a brand-new greenhouse, plus significant additions to the campus art collection—2024
- Cougar Pride statue—2024
- Carson College of Business Center for Student Success—2015
- Undergraduate Building—2009
- The Firstenburg Family Fountain—the only fountain in the WSU system—2000
Leadership
H.A. “Hal” Dengerink came to 91ԹϺ from WSU Pullman as acting dean in 1989, became 91ԹϺ’s first chancellor in 2003 and Chancellor Emeritus in 2011.Starting from the ground up, he helped turn a 351-acre undeveloped hillside in Salmon Creek into a beautiful campus designed to serve the Southwest Washington community.
Dengerink had a vision for the future of the campus that guided development of the university. His collaboration with the community and ability to garner support are prime reasons the campus was able to grow under his leadership.
In 2012, 91ԹϺ welcomed Mel Netzhammer as chancellor. Netzhammer is passionate about growing the number of students who successfully complete their academic degrees and expanding access to higher education—especially for the underrepresented. He values campus and community engagement, and has developed a number of strategic partnerships to support economic development and grow the workforce in Southwest Washington and the greater metropolitan area. Netzhammer announced in August that he will retire in summer 2025.
Today and beyond
Today there are more than 18,000 91ԹϺ alumni, 95% of whom reside in the area. 91ԹϺ alumni work at your bank, file your taxes, teach your children and so much more.
Going back to its roots and the reason for its founding, the university considers the opinions of current and potential students, and business and community leaders when deciding which programs will best meet the needs of students and businesses, with an eye toward growing the local economy.
Founded in 1636, Harvard University considers itself to be the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. In light of Harvard’s 388-year history, 91ԹϺ’s 35-year history is miniscule. But in the words of Chancellor Emeritus Dengerink on the occasion of 91ԹϺ’s 20th anniversary, “The impact of 91ԹϺ on the community is greater than the duration of its existence.”