Alumni are Honored at Pierce event

At the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Event for Pierce College’s once-students on April 14, alumni returned to give their testimonies on life after college, and how they have impacted their community.

The four alumni being honored at the event all shared their experiences, and one key to success seemed to be shared by all of them: being involved on campus.

Amy Eveskcige, superintendent of Chief Leschi Schools of Puyallup, said she appreciated getting to know her professors due to the small class size, and utilized the “small community feel” of an environment as a place to be successful and get to know others.  As one of the first members of her family to attend college, Eveskcige’s passion for bettering herself and using education as a resource drove her to work hard as a student while at Pierce, and continue attempt admission into a four year university despite being rejected multiple times.

“Seeing all of these people with different stories and how it made an impact in their life is especially impacting to me.”  Said Eveskcige.  She sees Pierce’s 50th anniversary next year as a symbol of the strengthening ties Pierce College has with the community and other individuals who once studied at Pierce and have gone on to reach success.

Rosanna Sharpe is the executive director of the Northwest African American Museum.  She believes that her success at Pierce lead to her success in the arts as well.  Sharpe said that she loved Pierce because of its emphasis on the “community” aspect of community college, and that returning to Pierce to be honored as a distinguished alumni was like a “homecoming.”

Sharpe said that Pierce is really a “stepping stone” in how it equips students for the future, and that the connection it has with the community is only getting stronger as more people seek out this resource.  Sharpe believes Pierce will continue to affect future generations in a positive way.

Yotsaphon Sangnil, head of investment strategy and financial research for the Thailand Stock Exchange, surpassed the academic norm by maintaining a 3.99 grade point average while at Pierce, despite English being his second language.

Melody Williams, owner of a local Allstate Insurance agency, once worked at the bookstore and remembered how being immersed in the campus life and environment made for what she considered an amazing experience at Pierce.  She later served on Pierce’s foundation board for six years.

Student Ambassador Skyler Hampton and Senator of Student and Cultural Affairs Ryan Jackson, who attended the event, believe that Pierce provides both educational opportunities and life skills.

Hampton put particular emphasis on instructors’ dedication to student success.  “They are here for you even when you don’t believe in yourself,” she said.  

Nicole Ferris, Manager for Donor and Alumni Relations, believes that the Pierce’s students have high potential because “there is something for everyone here.”