o What: Reception to honor H.A. “Hal” Dengerink as Clark County’s First Citizen for 2011.
o When: 4 p.m. June 1.
o Where: Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St.
o Tickets: $35 per person.
o Information: Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, 360-694-2588 or http://www.vancouverusa.com.
H.A. “Hal” Dengerink, who has overseen the growth of Washington State University Vancouver from its out-of-the-way start to what’s now described as a first-class college campus, is Clark County’s First Citizen for 2011.
The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington announced Monday that the chancellor of Washington State University Vancouver represents the exemplary citizenship and community service the award has recognized for more than 70 years.
Dengerink will receive the award at a 4 p.m. reception June 1 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St.
o What: Reception to honor H.A. "Hal" Dengerink as Clark County's First Citizen for 2011.
o When: 4 p.m. June 1.
o Where: Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St.
o Tickets: $35 per person.
o Information: Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, 360-694-2588 or http://www.vancouverusa.com.
“I am honored to have been selected as the 2011 First Citizen,” Dengerink, who was out of town Monday, said via email after the announcement. “I am quite touched and humbled to be in the club with so many other wonderful citizens from the community whom I value dearly.”
When Dengerink arrived in 1989, WSU Vancouver was housed in Bauer Hall on the Clark College campus. During his 22-year tenure, the institution has expanded to occupy a 351-acre Salmon Creek campus, with eight academic buildings. More than 3,000 full- and part-time students are enrolled in almost 40 fields of study.
“I have been fortunate to sit on the campus advisory committee and have had a front-row seat to watch Hal’s mastery of strategy take that campus from a grassy, open cow field to a first-class facility,” said John White, a former Clark College trustee. White, a vice president with engineering and land-use consulting company Berger ABAM, was named the county’s First Citizen in 2007.
“There’s a symbiotic relationship between the community and the college,” Dengerink said in the news release. “When one thrives, both prosper.”
Thousands benefit
“The creation of Washington State University Vancouver has been a great addition to our community,” said Rick Melching, former Evergreen schools superintendent.
“Thousands of students have benefited from being able to access a four-year college education without leaving their community,” said Melching, who now is president of the Community Foundation. “This has immeasurably improved our social, political and economic infrastructure.”
There are more than 8,600 WSU Vancouver alumni, and 75 percent of them live in Southwest Washington. The college faculty has grown to 130 professors who participate in the community.
Dengerink is known for doing the same, noted the Community Foundation’s news release. His involvement with the Chamber of Commerce spawned Leadership Clark County, a successful professional development program.
Dengerink also has served on the board of directors of Southwest Washington Medical Center, helped establish the Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve, and was appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire to co-chair a high-level advisory council for the Columbia River Crossing project.
“He has made our community a better place through his leadership and collaboration, helping forge community identity and civic pride,” Lynn Valenter, WSU Vancouver’s vice chancellor for finance and operations, said in the news release. Valenter also serves as the school’s interim chancellor when Dengerink deals with health issues.
