PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College trustees have welcomed Celeste Schoenthaler, the executive director of Olympic Community Health, and Glenn Ellis, Jr., treasurer on the Makah Tribal Council, as its newest members.
Schoenthaler replaced Jefferson Healthcare CEO Mike Glenn, who served as a trustee for 14 years, and Ellis replaced Dwayne Johnson, who served for 17 years.
They join Chair Dr. Michael Maxwell, CEO of North Olympic Healthcare Network, and ex-officio Peninsula College Foundation members Joe Floyd and Claire Roney.
Ethan VanZant from the department of institutional effectiveness reported on Tuesday an enrollment of 1,080 full-time students as of Oct. 17. That was slightly more than last fall’s enrollment of 1,055.
He said in 2022-2023, there were 2,608 students enrolled in Peninsula College and that its 296 employees made it one of the largest employers in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
The direct economic benefit was
$38.47 million — about a 31 percent increase over the 2021-2022 direct economic benefit of $29.36 million.
The Peninsula College Foundation that provides scholarships, emergency aid and debt forgiveness to returning students was about $125,000 short of its fundraising goal to create a $1 million endowment, Executive Director Getta Workman said. The foundation also funds such programs as natural resources, automotive technology and the annual fall spectacular.
Peninsula College President Suzy Ames announced Workman would be leaving the college and her role at the foundation will be filled by Dean for Arts and Sciences Cheryl Crane, who will start in her new role in February.
Ames said a national search would be conducted to find Crane’s replacement.
In other meeting news:
• The board approved resolutions honoring Peninsula College Foundation board members Brooke Taylor, who has served since 1996, and Jeanne Martin, who has served since 2016.
Taylor is also president of the Port Angeles Waterfront Center Committee, which oversees Field Arts & Events Hall, and Martin is its treasurer.
• Ames said Bruce Hattendorf, the dean for the Center of Equity, Teaching and Learning, had been appointed interim vice president of instruction following the departure of Steven Thomas to become interim vice president for instruction at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham.
Peninsula College will conduct a national search for a permanent vice president of instruction, Ames said, and the school hoped to make an announcement by the end of the school year.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at [email protected].
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