91�ԹϺ�����

91�ԹϺ����� has been shaped by the hundreds of employees and thousands of students who have passed through its halls. These 35+ individuals and organizations have left an indelible impression over 91�ԹϺ�����’s 35-year history.

Albert “Al” Bauer represented Clark County residents in the Washington Legislature for 30 years. The lawmaker’s legacy includes crucial investments in the state’s education system, including the establishment of 91�ԹϺ�����. Until 1996, when it moved to its current location, 91�ԹϺ����� operated out of Clark College’s Bauer Hall.

Jane and Joe Cote came from WSU Pullman to lead the 91�ԹϺ����� business program, and each held the academic director title. Together they established the first formal experiential learning component for all business students—the Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program. In their retirement, they continue to support 91�ԹϺ����� through philanthropic giving for Business Growth MAP and scholarships.

The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation made a $1 million philanthropic investment to advance life sciences and STEM education at 91�ԹϺ�����. The funds were used in the construction of the Life Sciences Building, opening on campus in June, and its accompanying state-of-the-art growing facility.

Harold “Hal” Dengerink came to 91�ԹϺ����� from WSU Pullman as acting dean in 1989 and became 91�ԹϺ�����’s first chancellor in 2003. Chancellor Emeritus Dengerink is credited with building the 91�ԹϺ����� campus largely as it stands today. Dengerink retired in 2011.

Mary and Ed Firstenburg donated funds to support the Firstenburg Student Commons and the Firstenburg Family Fountain in the Quad. 91�ԹϺ����� is the only campus with a fountain.

Obie Ford III is 91�ԹϺ�����’s first vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and one of the founders of the Building a Community of Equity program. Established in 2018, the BaCE program is an essential educative strategy in 91�ԹϺ�����'s imperative to promote an ethical and socially just society through an intentional commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

C. William “Bill” Fromhold was a member of the Washington State House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008. In that role, he sponsored legislation to create engineering degrees at 91�ԹϺ����� and paved the way for transfer opportunities for students at Clark College and Lower Columbia College who wanted to earn science and engineering bachelor’s degrees.

Hakan Gurocak started the campus’s first engineering lab in 1997, then with grants established robotics and automation labs. The School of Engineering and Computer Science was born in 2004, with Gurocak as its founding director. He currently directs the Professional and Corporate Education program.

�ҳܲ�—The skeleton is used as an educational tool in classes such as biology and human anatomy. You might find Gus peeking out the window of the Classroom Building. Sometimes he is in the library where he can be checked out for study sessions. Gus has had a role in educating hundreds of students over the years.

Dan Harmon is one of three owners of Hoffman Construction, which was instrumental in building the Student Services Center, Firstenburg Student Commons and the Engineering and Computer Science Building. He and his wife Kathy have endowed 10 scholarships to benefit 91�ԹϺ����� students.

Renee Hoeksel was the first full professor of nursing at 91�ԹϺ����� and was one of the first two female faculty members hired (1990). She developed the nursing program and is admired for her devotion to nursing and willingness to model engagement. She advocated for distance learning and access to the nursing program across the state of Washington. Hoeksel retired in May 2019.

Barbara Hoffman was a student council member who named the 91�ԹϺ����� student paper the VanCougar in 1990.

Steve Horenstein is the longest-serving member of the 91�ԹϺ����� Advisory Council. Horenstein joined the council in 1995 and served as chair from 2004 until he stepped off in 2018. He worked to integrate the university and the community, both to strengthen community development and to provide opportunities for students. Horenstein practices law in Vancouver, Wash.

Jo Huckenhull joined the faculty of WSU Pullman in 1972 and later served as associate dean for academic affairs for 91�ԹϺ�����. She is the artist of the mural displayed in Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110. Today she is an Oregon-based painter, printmaker and illustrator who says her work "explores connections that human beings seem to need with the past, the future and the natural world."

Tim Hunt was first to hold the position we now know as vice chancellor for academic affairs. He led work to help 91�ԹϺ����� faculty earn tenure and promotion, and to expand degree offerings.

Michelle Kendrick established the digital technology and culture program. It was the first degree program to start on a non-Pullman campus. It’s now offered on three WSU campuses. There is a scholarship in her name and memory that supports DTC students.

Bola Majekobage was director of the first Student Diversity Center (later renamed the Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation). Beloved by students, Majekobage cultivated a space of belonging to support students through their academic and personal journeys. She currently serves as associate vice president of culture and community for University of Western States.

Maxine and Tod McClaskey Foundation has contributed to the Child Development Program, establishing the hospitality business management major on campus and endowed the first chair in the Carson College of Business. The impact of their giving has positively influenced hundreds of students and children in our community.

Jennifer Miltenberger is the longest-serving employee in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations—25 years! She has helped raise millions of dollars to support 91�ԹϺ�����’s mission, vision and values over the course of her career. Students are the ultimate beneficiaries of her work.

Emile “Mel” Netzhammer is 91�ԹϺ�����’s second chancellor. He came to campus in 2012. 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.

Val and Dan Ogden were WSU alumni, champions of campus and education, and scholarship donors. Val served in the State House of Representatives for the 49th Legislative District from 1990 to 2002. She was instrumental in funding capital projects for 91�ԹϺ�����.

Karen Peterson served in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts and established the Child Development Program on campus in 1998. The popular program served children and their families on campus and in the community for decades.

Carol Seigel developed the humanities and English programs and was one of the first two female faculty members hired (1990). She received the Students’ Award for Teaching Excellence in 2022 for her abundant care and compassion for her students. Siegel retired in May 2023.

Gay Selby is a WSU alumna, was a member of the 91�ԹϺ����� Site Selection committee in the 1990s and served as the first chair of the 91�ԹϺ����� Advisory Council. She joined the 91�ԹϺ����� College of Education faculty in 1991 and retired in 2017. Selby is a Legacy Donor and has supported student scholarships for more than 30 years. The Selby Tower in Dengerink Administration Building is named for her.

Dave Smith was 91�ԹϺ�����’s only director of capital planning. He oversaw construction of all buildings on campus through the Science and Engineering Building. He was passionate about insuring the appropriate balance of functionality and aesthetics with each addition to the campus. Smith retired in 2011.

Sam Smith—The WSU president emeritus worked with the Washington State Legislature to establish WSU branch campuses in Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver in 1989. He and his wife, Patricia, are strong supporters of the WSU Museum of Art, and serve on several boards within the local art community.

Steve Sylvester—The professor emeritus planted and nurtured the corpse flower named Titan VanCoug, that is responsible for attracting the largest number of guests to campus in a single day—about 20,000 for the plant’s first bloom in 2019. Sylvester retired in 2021 leaving Titan VanCoug in the capable hands of Classroom Support Technician Dawn Freeman.

Lynn Valenter joined 91�ԹϺ����� in 1997 as facilities and auxiliary services manager and was promoted to director of finance and operations in 1999. She became the first vice chancellor for finance and operations in 2005. She also served as interim chancellor from 2010 to 2012. Valenter helped 91�ԹϺ����� accomplish its highest priorities, serving as liaison to Clark County on campus growth plans. She currently serves as vice president of finance and treasurer for Reed College.

Mike Worthy served on the WSU Board of Regents from 2006 to 2020. He provided a strong voice of support for 91�ԹϺ����� students, faculty and staff. Worthy serves as owner, president and CEO of WW Payment Systems, which serves more than 350 trucking companies and owner-operators across the country.

Leslie Wykoff was the first library and information technology director. She helped move the library in 1996 from its first home in Bauer Hall on the Clark College campus to its current location. She retired in 2011 and received the Chancellor’s Award for Service to 91�ԹϺ����� in 2012 for demonstrated leadership, gifts of time, talent and resources toward advancing 91�ԹϺ�����'s mission, and for maintaining a partnership with the Clark County Historical Museum.

Nancy Youlden enjoyed a 29-year career with WSU and was the first vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment. Being student-centered was the number one value in her unit. She was a fearless advocate for students and was first to bring basic health care services to campus at no cost to students. She retired in 2019.