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51���� hopes investment in Day at the Capitol returns dividends

Story by James Hill

For 51����, March 12 was a day for some serious capitol investments.

Hundreds of staff, faculty, students and friends of 51���� participated in the 2015 51���� Day at the Capitol at the Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem. The annual event creates an opportunity for 51���� to tell its deep and impactful story to local legislators. Dressed in colored 51���� spirit t-shirts and holding college-branded swag, participants attended floor sessions in the house and senate, which included a performance by the Rock Creek Choir. In the Capitol Building’s galleria, MakerSpace, Aviation Science and Future Connect programs occupied tables to hand out gifts and showcase their offerings. Review the .

The positive messaging and activities had many college leaders impressed.

“Looking at our students, faculty, staff  and alumni, I can see no greater testament to the value of a 51���� education and the impact that the college has had on the entire state of Oregon,” said Rob Wagner, associate vice president for College Advancement. “We are in the process today of engaging with our state leaders about the importance of post-secondary education and encouraging them to #think51����first for a stronger Oregon.”

In the middle of the day, attendees traveled to the Salem Conference Center for the 51���� Diamond Alumni Awards Luncheon. The five outstanding 51���� alumni, Mitchell Jackson, Joshua Fegles, Barbara Gladue, Larry O’Dea and Carmen Thompson, were recognized with a crystal award and gave short speeches to the gathered crowd. Each year, 51���� celebrates five alumni who exemplify what it means to be a “51���� Diamond” through their leadership, achievement and service to community. Since 1961, 51���� has had nearly 1.4 million people come through its doors.

“Our alumni truly represent the backbone of Oregon’s economy in terms of their contributions,” said 51���� President Jeremy Brown. “(The Diamond Award Alumni) are graduates who have exhibited the qualities that make 51���� proud.”

The rest of the day centered on getting 51����’s message across to the elected senators and representatives. Groups of college staff, faculty, students and leaders visited their representatives and senators in their Capitol Building offices to discuss the importance of funding higher education. Currently, the state’s legislature is deciding on the funding level for Oregon’s 17 community colleges.

“I take some pleasure in asking people around the state, ‘What’s the most important institution of higher education in the state?’” said keynote luncheon speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore of the Oregon House Rep. Tobias Read (District 27-Beaverton). “Some people will say Portland State, or will say Oregon State, but the number of people who say 51���� is rising, and that’s good. There are an increasing number of people who recognize the significance of what you are doing and the important, central role you play. You are the biggest, but you are also, I think, most important in helping people access the tools and the opportunities that are in front of them.”

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