News & Events

February 22, 2006

CONTACT:

Carl Young, Interim Director of Communications
425.352.8256
cyoung@cascadia.edu

Cascadia Community College Foundation Establishes Tjossem Family Endowment

Bothell, WA - Cascadia Community College Foundation announced the establishment of a new endowed scholarship for Cascadia students. The Tjossem Family Scholarship is being funded by Bob and Linda Tjossem.

Bob Tjossem has been actively involved with community and technical colleges during a long career as an attorney and community leader. As an assistant attorney general, he helped craft legislation that created the community college system in 1967. More recently, he was a member of the advisory and planning groups that spearheaded the creation of Cascadia Community College, the newest community college in Washington. He was appointed by Governor Lowry to be a member of Cascadia’s first Board of Trustees.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous and lasting commitment to students at Cascadia,” said Tom Broetje, chair of the Foundation’s board of directors. “This gift reflects the tremendous dedication to education that Bob and Linda Tjossem have demonstrated for many years.”

The scholarship will be awarded annually to students at Cascadia studying the sciences, math or economics who have demonstrated talent and perseverance. “Education is the great equalizer,” explained Tjossem, “and we want to help students who work hard but may not be at the top of their class.”

“Linda and I feel privileged to be able to affirm our belief in education. An endowment is a perfect vehicle for us to give back something of lasting value to the community where we lived, worked and raised our children.” The couple has three adult children who graduated from Bothell High School. In 1998, Bob retired from the firm of Livengood, Carter and Tjossem where he had been for 30 years.

The endowment is planned to reach $50,000 within a few years and marks a significant milestone for the Cascadia Community College Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to provide support for students and expanded educational opportunities at the college. Cascadia Community College offers transfer degrees, certificates, job training and basic skills on a campus it shares with the UW, Bothell.

CONTACT: Linda Hendrickson, Executive Director, Cascadia CC Foundation 425-352-8254 or lhendrickson@cascadia.edu

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