January 27, 2009

ICW Board member DeLona Lang Bell wrote this op-ed which appeared in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin January 27.

December 1 , 2008

July 22, 2008

Two students from Seattle Pacific University presented the findings of their research about environmentally controlled LED lighting to engineers and executives of Puget Sound Energy in Bellevue July 22. PSE funds an annual competitive research grant through ICW that gives the utility useful information about energy conservation while providing students with valuable, real-life research experience in their chosen field.

Pictured left to right: PSE's Lynne Dial and Shar Kegley, ICW Vice President Greg Scheiderer, SPU Professor Elaine Scott, PSE's Dave Reid, SPU student researchers Graham Schwinn and Nathan Everett, and PSE's Todd Starnes.

April 29, 2008

ICW board chair receives national award for innovative, collaborative leadership

Whitworth University President Bill Robinson received the Charles Foreman Award for Innovation in Private Higher Education in recognition of his leadership in helping private colleges forge successful partnerships with public universities, the business community and under-represented minority populations.

The Foreman Award is presented each year by the Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) to an individual, institution or organization for extraordinary and innovative leadership reflecting collaborative effort and endeavor. Robinson received the award April 29 at FIHE's annual meeting in Princeton, N.J.

"I'm very honored to be recognized by FIHE, an organization that has done so much to help students afford independent higher education," says Robinson, who is in his 15th year as Whitworth's president. "It also feels good to be acknowledged for collaboration. Colleges miss a lot of win-win opportunities because we get caught up competing against each other rather than against our real enemy – an undereducated society. Whitworth is committed to excellence in all things, including collaboration and innovation. Whatever leadership I've provided has been in following that spirit."

Under Robinson's leadership, Whitworth has enjoyed nearly 500 percent growth in freshman applications, steadily increased enrollment with record selectivity, retention and graduation rates, significant growth in endowment and capital facilities, and greater external visibility.

April 7, 2008

Bob Craves feted for his passionate advocacy on behalf of college students

SEATTLE – Bob Craves doesn’t seek recognition, but he deserves to receive it. His unparalleled record of leadership and service in creating access and opportunity for college students has earned him the highest honor from Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW): the annual Stanley O. McNaughton Leadership Award.

Craves is CEO and chair of the College Success Foundation, which since 2000 has raised more than $300 million and awarded scholarships to nearly 4,000 students. The foundation also provides mentoring and outreach services to hundreds of students each year.

Craves co-founded the foundation after being a co-chair of the 2020 Commission on the Future of Post-Secondary Education, which found that such an organization would be a boon to Washington students. He also has served as chair of the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board. In eight years under his watch at the board, funding for the State Need Grant Program doubled, serving thousands more students.

The Stanley O. McNaughton Leadership award was created in 1999 by the ICW board of directors to recognize companies, legislators, and leaders that have demonstrated passion for and commitment to Washington’s independent colleges and universities. McNaughton was a founder and board member of ICW, and was a consummate leader in the community and an advocate for independent higher education and other organization dedicated to preparing young people for meaningful lives and careers.

Past recipients
2006: Alaska Airlines
2005: Sen. Margarita Prentic
2004: Fluke Corporation
2003: Sen. Dino Rossi
2002: PACCAR Inc
2001: Sen. Ken Jacobsen
2000: The Boeing Company
1999: Rep. Tom Huff

Independent Colleges of Washington presented its Stanley O. McNaughton Leadership Award, recognizing passion for and commitment to Washington’s independent colleges and universities, to Bob Craves, CEO of the College Success Foundation, at a luncheon April 7. Since 2 000 the foundation has raised more than $3 00 million and awarded scholarships to nearly 4, 000 students.

Pictured left to right are Violet Boyer, ICW president and CEO, Bob Craves, and Bill Robinson, ICW chair and president of Whitworth University. Photo by Nicholas Goman, ICW (click here for larger image).

February 14, 2008

ICW member-college presidents, trustees, and regents met with Gov. Gregoire on Valentine's day to discuss math and science teacher education and other higher education issues.

That afternoon Walla Walla University President John McVay, right, and WWU board chair Jere Patzer, left, met with Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, center, proud holder of an honorary degree from their institution (click here for larger image).

12/4/07- NAICU has released Together We Can, a document that explains the policy goals of Independent Colleges for the upcoming year.

10/25/07- Project Opportunity featured on Montesano School District Web site.

Independent Colleges traveled across Washington bringing information about private colleges and our new Web site, Project Opportunity. Here's our powerpoint presentation.

The NAICU U-CAN consumer-information initiative is designed to give, in a common format, prospective students and their families concise, Web-based consumer-friendly information on individual private colleges and universities.  Now with over 500 participating colleges and universities, U-CAN will launch publicly on September 26.

ICW is proud to announce the completion of a new resource to help students plan for college. On this site we have compiled financial aid information, application advice, planning calendars and other information that will help students achieve their academic goals.