Dear Bellevue College Family and Friends.
Bellevue College is poised to be an even greater innovator in higher education both globally and nationally. We are indeed celebrating 50 years of making a difference. This issue of Exceptional includes a myriad of vignettes and stories that affirm our presence and leadership within student achievement, academia, workforce development, the arts, international partnerships and more.
Our collectivist approach to serving the greater Eastside and beyond is reflected in a diverse array of new bachelor’s degrees, collaborative programs with Coding DoJo and our Business Training Institute’s partnership with Alaska Airlines. Creativity reigns supreme via Professor Eric Davis’ RAP 101 lecture that combines the best of all worlds linking interactive multimedia with music and poetry to fuel critical thinking. The world is introduced to the uniqueness of the Pacific Northwest in “Bezango, WA,” a film that features an award-winning music score by faculty member Dr. Brian Cobb.
BC’s newest reach and influence extend beyond our local borders to the Democratic Republic of the Congo underscoring two decades of student and faculty exchanges that now include partner institutions in over 51 countries. Our collaboration with Japan will include hosting 40 students for a three-day nurse training program in October. The financial impact of our international students further strengthens the local economy, generating 26.5 million dollars and supporting 150 jobs in Congressional District 9.
Extraordinary students, noted alumni, faculty and staff are telling BC’s story as professional athletes, actors, nationally acclaimed scholars, journalism fellows and Margin of Excellence honorees. We will introduce yet another first early next year as TEDx comes to BC.
Take a few moments to read the amazing offerings in our magazine. I think you will be energized, entertained and most importantly encouraged to join in the celebration of a half-century of truly being the community’s college. Your continuous support of Bellevue College makes these stories come to life. Thanks to you, dreams are coming true for over 33,000 students each year.
We’ve only just begun this journey of exceptional service and educational empowerment. Stay tuned – the best is yet to come. Go Bulldogs!
Warmest Regards,
Gayle Colston Barge, Ed.D.
Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Last Updated October 3, 2016