April 16, 2004
For immediate release
Media contact: Dale Stowell, (253) 964-6780 or dstowell@pierce.ctc.edu
Editor’s note: high resolution digital photos are available on request.
Pierce College Celebrates distinguished alumni April 28
The accomplishments of this year’s class of Distinguished Alumni are exemplary. A broad range of talents and abilities are represented in the nominees. All credit Pierce College as being a great stepping-stone in their success.
They will be recognized at a dinner in their honor at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom on Wednesday, April 28 at 6 p.m. in the Performance Lounge, 9401 Farwest Drive, S.W., Lakewood. For reservations or more information call (253) 840-8495.
The distinguished alumni of 2004 are:
Dr. Rose Bailey Dental Hygiene, 1978
Dr. Rose Bailey works in many community service projects in the South Sound area. She owns her own dental clinic, housed in a newly built facility that she designed in Olympia.
She was a single mother during her time at Pierce College, and she graduated with honors. She earned her dentistry degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Dr. Bailey employs two Pierce College dental hygiene graduates and has been called one of Olympia’s biggest supporters of the Pierce program.
“Pierce College Dental Hygiene is proud to call her an alumna,” says Sharon Golightly, dental hygiene program director, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom. “We frequently hold her up as a role model for our students to share with them the possibilities of a career in dentistry.”
Art Chantry, A.A. 1975
Art Chantry attended Pierce College Fort Steilacoom to reassess the direction of his life. He has had a continuing fascination with gathering knowledge since going to Pierce.
“I credit Pierce College Fort Steilacoom still, with opening my eyes to world culture,” says Chantry.
Recognized internationally, Chantry’s designs are in the New York Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Experience Music Project. His has won countless design awards and his work has even hung in the Louvre. Chantry created a regional design style associated with the rock underground (grunge music) of the 1990s.
“His raw imagery and energetic style has influenced designers around the world,” says Ken Murphy, graphics lead, Pierce College.
Eleanor Cozart, A.A.S., 1988
Eleanor Cozart gave up an active private law practice to serve as the executive director of a non-profit mediation center. Her work at the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution is challenging and rewarding. Cozart’s efforts protect the most vulnerable people in the community.
“Under her direction, the Center for Dispute Resolution has flourished, becoming a more popular option for individuals and organizations in conflict, as well as providing the legal community with an alternative to the often overcrowded courts,” says MJ Redman, training programs coordinator, Pierce County Center for Dispute Problems.”
The path to her law career began when she decided to attend Pierce College. Already a busy working mother and wife, Cozart chose Pierce for its accessibility and the variety of classes offered. The excellent instructors and the diversity of the student population contributed to her positive experience at Pierce.
Cozart was recently honored with the Marilyn Holzman Humanitarian Award from the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.
Josh Dunn, 1992-93
Pierce College was a great launching point for Josh Dunn to establish his career as an entrepreneur. Dunn, a local publisher, completed coursework with the goal of owning his own business. A Dean’s list student, he learned a lot from his classes, instructors and fellow students.
“My time at Pierce taught me diligence,” says Dunn. “I learned what I do want and what I don’t want pretty clearly.”
Dunn owns Premier Media Group (PMG), which publishes Premier Wedding and Event and Premier Home and Garden magazines, as well as specialty publications. PMG has grown from two employees to eight in only a year.
“Josh is an energetic supporter of local towns/ cities,” says Mayor Ron Lucas of Steilacoom. “This bright, articulate young man is a success in large part due to his education at Pierce College.”
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