Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC Day at the Capitol brings supporters, students to Salem

Photos and story by James Hill

SALEM, Ore. – Portland Community College Day at the Capitol sent a clear message to legislators – PCC and the state’s community colleges are vital for Oregon’s economic health. The day of recognition by both the House and Senate on Thursday, Feb. 24 helped build awareness of the college’s budget woes and educated the Legislature about the quality of education at PCC. The college sent a cadre of approximately 100 students, college representatives and business partners to visit with legislators and hammer home the message that community college support is crucial as the budget process for 2005-07 moves forward. After another cut in funding to community colleges in the Governor’s recent budget proposal, community college supporters wanted to spotlight the critical role community colleges play in the state’s economy and the need to keep the doors of opportunity open for affordable, accessible education for residents of PCC’s community.Larie Thomas of Latitudes, a silk screening company which has successfully used PCC to train its workforce, was introduced on the House floor and in the Senate along with Mick Angle, a returning older student. Angle lost his job when the dot.com industry went bust and many jobs were outsourced. He is now studying for a new career at PCC. Sen. Charlie Ringo welcomed Thomas to the Senate floor and discussed how PCC helped get her business off the ground. "They received a matching (state) grant through PCC that assisted in getting the business off the ground, as well as with some of the basic training. This is a perfect example of what our community colleges can do in working closely with business in an entrepreneurial fashion to help business get going and that will eventually create good jobs for citizens of our state."Sen. Margaret Carter welcomed Angle and recognized the college’s large contingent. "I would like to give kudos to Oregon students who have been misplaced by the dot-com industry but were active and free enough to feel they could go back to the community college system and start over on a new career and here he stands with us today."Sen. Avel Gordly followed that by stating, "We appreciate so much the volunteer service given by board members and appreciate the superb staff we know that exist in our community colleges around the state. We are grateful you are here today and thank you for coming to enlighten us and further educate about the importance of community colleges as part of our economic engine."In the House, Rep. Mitch Greenlick recognized the PCC group seated in the gallery. "I want to say ‘welcome’ to a group of marvelous students from PCC-Rock Creek who are working to help us keep their education affordable. I was very moved to hear their personal stories."Rep. Larry Galizio, who is on the faculty at PCC-Sylvania, inserted some humor into the proceedings. "PCC is in my district and it is also my employer, at least I think it still is. I’d like to extend courtesies to all PCC students in the gallery. Your homework is due to tomorrow at nine."Mike Angle is a quintessential PCC student," he added. "He spent thirty years in the computer industry, lost his job and is now retraining through opportunities at PCC, which has professional technical programs for over 21,000 students a year. He is now working toward a new career."Each week, community colleges across the state are bringing supporters and students to the Capitol throughout the session to carry the message that Oregon’s community colleges are powerful solutions to the state’s economic recovery.Portland Community College is a multi-campus system covering a 1,500-square-mile college district in northwest Oregon. It offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning. The college serves approximately 85,000 full- and part-time students each year.