Governor, lawmakers celebrate 25 years of branch campuses

Left to right: UW Bothell Chancellor Bjong Wolf Yeigh, WSU Chancellor Brown, Governor Inslee, WSU Chancellor Moo-Young, WSU Chancellor Netzhammer and UW Tacoma Chancellor Mark Pagano
Chancellors look on as they receive recognition
Left to right standing: Chancellors Moo-Young, Brown and Netzhammer stand for recognition by the State Senate during the Senate’s floor action this morning

Governor Jay Inslee and the State Senate recognized the 25th anniversary of the five branch campuses of Washington State University and the University of Washington today, the 92nd day of the 105-day regular legislative session.

The morning began in Governor Inslee’s office where he presented each chancellor with a signed copy of a proclamation to “reaffirm our shared dedication to educational excellence and access to higher education for all Washingtonians,” as the document reads.

The State Senate later passed Senate Resolution 8663 to honor the founding legislation of the branch campuses.

chancellors01
Left to right: Chancellor Moo-Young, Chancellor Brown, WSU Director of State Relations Chris Mulick and Chancellor Netzhammer

Legislation passed in 1989 allowed WSU to open branch campuses in Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver, and the UW to do the same in Bothell and Tacoma. With the mission of expanding access to higher education in Washington state, the branch campuses also drive economic development by strengthening the regional workforces they serve.

WSU Chancellors Lisa Brown, Keith Moo-Young and Mel Netzhammer respectively leading the WSU Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver campuses traveled to Olympia to join UW Tacoma and Bothell leadership in the celebration.

Video coverage of the Senate’s remarks on resolution SR 8663 can be viewed below.