Former governor Gary Locke, the first Chinese-American governor in U.S. history, will deliver the commencement address at the 蘑菇视频 Tacoma鈥檚 graduation exercises Friday, June 10.
鈥淲e are honored that Gov. Locke will deliver the commencement address for 蘑菇视频 Tacoma鈥檚 14th graduation ceremony,鈥� said 蘑菇视频T Interim Chancellor Steven G. Olswang. 鈥淗igher education was one of Locke鈥檚 top priorities as governor, and the growth of 蘑菇视频 Tacoma 鈥� including the addition of the Institute of Technology 鈥� was among the state’s greatest educational accomplishments during his administration.鈥�
Locke, governor from 1996 to 2005, has been instrumental in the development of 蘑菇视频 Tacoma. He cut the ribbon at the grand opening of 蘑菇视频 Tacoma鈥檚 permanent campus in 1997 and signed legislation that funded five historic renovations (Dougan, Keystone, Pinkerton, Cherry Parkes and Mattress Factory) and new construction of a science building on campus, a combined investment of about $80 million. Cherry Parkes and Mattress Factory were the first higher education buildings in Washington and the first construction projects of any kind in the city of Tacoma to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
During Locke鈥檚 time as governor, enrollment at 蘑菇视频 Tacoma grew from about 700 to nearly 2,100. In 2000, he proposed an Institute of Technology be established at 蘑菇视频T as part of his plan to expand Washington鈥檚 higher education programs to meet the needs of high-tech industry for well-prepared graduates. Last year, Locke signed a bill requiring 蘑菇视频T and four other upper-division campuses to perform self-studies and make recommendations about their futures. As a result, bills are moving through the Legislature to allow freshmen and sophomores to enroll at 蘑菇视频T. Under the proposed legislation, 蘑菇视频T would add a four-year baccalaureate program while maintaining its commitment to transfer students.
Locke has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from Yale University and a law degree from Boston University. Before becoming governor, he was elected to the state House of Representatives and served as King County Executive.
蘑菇视频 850 蘑菇视频T graduates will receive diplomas in June, either a bachelor鈥檚 degree or a master鈥檚 degree. Colorful academic regalia will reflect 蘑菇视频T鈥檚 range of academic disciplines: arts and sciences, nursing, business, social work, education, urban studies and computer science.
Presiding over the ceremony for the first time will be 蘑菇视频 President Mark Emmert, and Patricia Spakes, who will become 蘑菇视频 Tacoma chancellor in April.
Because the Tacoma Dome, 蘑菇视频T鈥檚 usual commencement venue, was not available on the required date this year, 蘑菇视频T鈥檚 commencement will be held at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. Seating at the event is limited. Tickets are being provided only to graduates and are not available to the general public.