Merkley to Address Clatdop Community College Graduates – David Lum to be Honored

Clatsop Community College is proud to announce that U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley will address graduates at the 2014 commencement ceremony, Friday June 13, at 7pm at the Liberty Theater in Astoria.

Senator Merkley is the first in his family to attend college. He began his record of public service at 19 as an intern for Oregon’s former Senator, Mark O. Hatfield. Merkley received his Bachelor’s Degree with College Honors in International Relations from Stanford University, and went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. Following university, he worked as a national security analyst and at the Congressional Budget Office before returning to Oregon in 1991 to lead Portland’s Habitat for Humanity.

Merkley was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1998 and served as Democratic Leader in 2003 and as Speaker in 2007. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008 where he now serves on the Appropriations Committee; the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Budget Committee. He continues to focus on getting the nation and Oregonians back to work.

Clatsop Community is also pleased to announce the award of its first Honorary Associate of Applied Science Degree. G. David Lum will be honored during the commencement ceremony for his community-wide service and lifetime achievements.

Lum is a 1952 graduate of Astoria High School and a 1958 graduate of Linfield College. Following a brief time as a high school teacher and coach and in the insurance business, Lum returned to Astoria in 1969 to raise his growing family with his wife Shirley, and to found Toyota of Astoria near the former site of his parent’s Bond Street grocery store.

“Senator Jeff Merkley and David Lum embody the values that we at Clatsop Community College seek to nurture in our graduates.  Their personal stories are inspirational examples for CCC graduates as they transition to the next phase of their adult lives,” notes CCC President Lawrence Galizio.

Clatsop Community College will award certificates and degrees to a record number of students this year. Due to the large number of degree candidates, tickets are required to attend this year’s ceremony. For information, contact the Student Services Department at 503-338-2411.