CBC faculty member retires after 35 years

Ingrid Stegemoeller, Herald staff writer

As Christine King of Pasco talked about the nearly 600 students from Columbia Basin College who recently received their GED certificates, she shook her head in amazement.

"How wonderful," said the longtime faculty member and employee of CBC who has administered the GED test since 1994.

King's more than 35-year career at CBC came to a close Tuesday when she administered her last test.

Over the years she taught English and directed the Basic Skills program, both positions she retired from in 1994.

In the 15 years since, she's worked as a GED test examiner. During that time she started administering the test in Spanish as well as English, and traveled to Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell to give the test with fellow examiner Judy Carlson.

"The two restaurants in Connell got to know us pretty well," she joked.

Also in that time about 7,800 testers received their GED certificates of the more than 12,500 who tested, said Shanna Halsey-Corson, Testing Center director.

Working with people seeking a second chance has been one of the more rewarding parts of King's career, the "driving force," she said.

"There are so many who had to leave high school early," King said. "Here's this opportunity to come back and finish their education. I think everybody needs a second chance."

When she started at CBC in 1973, there were about 15 students enrolled in the Adult Basic Education program, she said.

Now a typical quarter sees 150 students enrolled, said Erica Jesberger, communications consultant for College Relations.

"I think everything has grown because we all care about what we're doing here," King said.

Halsey-Corson said the center won't be the same without King.

"It has been a tremendous help," she said. "There are a lot of rules and regulations ... and it takes a lot of focus. I would've had a very difficult time doing it without them."

The testing program has grown a great deal in recent years, as one in six people with high school credentials in the state got them through passing the GED, Halsey-Corson said.

"People drop out for all kinds of reasons and they come back, get their GED and are very successful people," she said.

And it's the people King enjoyed about her weekly commitment to giving the test.

An essay requirement was added to the test a few years ago, King said.

"That sometimes can be very revealing," she said. "Some share why they're taking the test."

"And their struggles," Halsey-Corson added about the confidential essay.

Community involvement also has been an important part of King's life,

She's a member of the Sunrise Rotary club and P.E.O., an organization that promotes education for women.

And she spent many Fridays listening to Pasco third-graders read aloud.

"Everybody should have the opportunity to go in and volunteer in schools," King said. "I enjoyed the progress the youngsters made."

In her retirement, King will get to spend more time with her family, which includes four children and nine grandchildren.

"We're very close," she said.

And King's not worried about keeping busy.

"I love to travel. I love to be involved in things in the community.

"It's just time," she said of her decision to retire.

"I just loved (my work). It was very positive."

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Sunday, Jul. 05, 2009

CBC faculty member retires after 35 years

Ingrid Stegemoeller, Herald staff writer