Tomorrow is Higher Education Day in Olympia. Faculty, administrators, students, regents, alumni, and other supporters of higher education — from all of the state’s universities — will come to Olympia to meet with lawmakers and discuss issues of concern. Also on the schedule is a little entertainment with University bands and mascots slated to perform in the Capitol Rotunda at noon.
Even with school spirit on display at noon, the primary focus of the day will be serious conversations about the state of higher education and how the effects of proposed budget cuts can be reduced. Higher education is critical to the state’s long-term economic health, as well as the individual futures of thousands of students (and their families). Higher Education Day provides a unique annual opportunity to show the broad support public universities have across the state.
A highlight of the day will be the presentation of the Robert G. Waldo Award for “outstanding service to public higher education in Washington state” to former State Rep. Helen Sommers. Rep. Sommers retired last year after a long and distinguished career as a legislator, including many years as the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Congratulations to Rep. Sommers on this much deserved honor.