Gov. Gregoire gives commencement address at Spokane Community College

For Immediate Release: June 16, 2008

Gregoire congratulates graduates of health, science and environmental science programs

SPOKANE � Gov. Chris Gregoire today delivered the commencement address to graduates of Spokane Community College at the INB Performing Arts Center.

�Your education here at Spokane Community College has fostered a love of learning and taught you how to analyze ideas and how to reason,� the governor said to more than 350 graduates during the ceremony. �Your education has also taught you to respect others and their ideas, and that working with others you can find the answers.�

Gregoire addressed graduates of SCC�s School of Arts and Sciences, as well as the School of Health and Environmental Science. Many will now move on to careers in health care, agriculture or technology. The health-sciences division at Spokane Community College is the largest in Washington. More than 90 percent of health science graduates from SCC pass their state and national credentialing exams on the first try.

�Our communities desperately need thoughtful people who will reason, listen and find common ground with others,� said Gregoire. �And employers desperately need employees who will do the same thing.�

Gregoire is a champion for community college students. She has devoted funds to help community colleges build and expand programs, while capping tuition costs. The governor also signed legislation creating the Washington college bound scholarship program, a program which makes higher education more accessible and affordable and allows more students to obtain an advanced degree.

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