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Press Release

February 2000

Governor Says Challenge Gift Will Help Adress Skills Gap

Gov. Gary Locke joined President of Shoreline Community College, Gary Oertli, Jack Oharah, president of Edmonds Community College and Bill McMeekin executive director of the Puget Sound Center for Technology, Learning and Technology at a press conference in February 2000.


During the press conference, John Morgridge, former CEO and current president of the board of Cisco Systems, presented $3 million worth of Cisco stock to the Puget Sound Center. The stock is part of a $10 million challenge grant from the Morgridge Family Foundation. Locke said that the generous gift will help business and industry in the state of Wahington by addressing the "skills gap"-- the gap between the number of people trained to fill vacant positions. Gov. Locke also said that the Puget Sound Center will help bridge the gap between the technology "haves and have nots" by providing high-tech training to dislocated and low-wage workers.

Trustee Chair Paul Burton talks to Barbara and John Morgridge of The Morgridge Family Foundation. Trustee Chair Paul Burton talks to Barbara and John Morgridge of The Morgridge Family Foundation.
Rep. Carolyn Edmonds and Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson with President Gary Oertli. Rep. Carolyn Edmonds and Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson with President Gary Oertli.
Vice President Holly Moore with Rep and Shoreline Foundation board member Ruth Kagi. Vice President Holly Moore with Rep and Shoreline Foundation board member Ruth Kagi.


The event, held in the State Reception Room in the Capitol Building was well attended. Among those present were Lt. Governor Brad Owen, David Danner, deputy policy advisor to Gov. Locke and Rich Nafziger executive policy advisor to the governor on workforce training.


Legislators in attendance included Reps. Carolyn Edmonds, Ruth Kagi, Renee Radcliff, Laura Ruderman, Phyllis Kenney and Sens. Paull Shin, Lorraine Wojahn and Jeanne Kohl - Welles.


The Boeing Company Gift

A $260,000 gift from the Boeing Company was also presented to the Puget Sound Center during the press conference. The Boeing gift was of special significance because it brought the PSC's fundraising total to more than $3 million, the Phase I fund-raising goal, and positioned the center for the Cisco stock transfer.


State education officials also present were: Ellen O'Brien Saunders, director, Workforce Coordinating Board, Earl Hale, executive director, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Bruce Botka, HEC Board and Terry Bergeson, Superintendent of Public Instruction. Many members of Shoreline's and Edmond's board of trustees as well as foundation board members made the trip to Olympia to participate in the event.

Dean Cooper, representative of The Boeing Company, presents a $260,00 check to Bill McMeekin to fund high-tech training.
Dean Cooper, representative of The Boeing Company, presents a $260,00 check to Bill McMeekin to fund high-tech training.


 

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