WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth J. Minnaert is the longest-serving of any public college or university president in Washington State; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Minnaert is retiring after 30 years in the service of higher education, the last 25 years as the president of South Puget Sound Community College; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Minnaert has, through hard work and dedication, provided thousands of students with quality facilities and in-depth instruction, and opened the doors for countless opportunities for students, staff, and faculty; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Minnaert began his service when the school was a small institution known as Olympia Vocational-Technical Institute; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Minnaert has overseen the transition of a small vocational and technical school to a comprehensive community college that plays a significant role in higher education; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Minnaert has presided over the expansion of South Puget Sound Community College's student enrollment from 800 in 1975, to over 15,000 in 2005, as well as the expansion of its facilities, including the creation of the Hawk's Prairie Center satellite campus; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Minnaert's leadership has encouraged close cooperation and the birth of natural partnerships between South Puget Sound Community College, Saint Martin's University, and The Evergreen State College; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Minnaert is a 2005 winner of the National Phi Theta Kappa Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Minnaert is known as a quiet, unassuming gentleman who gets things done;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives offer its gratitude and commendation to Dr. Kenneth J. Minnaert for his tireless efforts to promote higher education; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Dr. Kenneth J. Minnaert and his family, and South Puget Sound Community College.