April 26, 2019

Media Contact:
Rachel Evey, Wenatchee Valley College Foundation executive director, 509-682-6415, revey@wvc.edu
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)

Three annual awards will be presented at the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation Gala on May 18. The Outstanding Friend of the College award, The Harvey Award, the Distinguished Alumni of the Year award and two “WVC Heroes” will be recognized this year for their commitment to the college.

The recipients of the 2019 awards are:

Outstanding Friend of the College: Terry and Suzanne Sorom

This award recognizes those who have contributed to WVC through financial support or service or a combination of both. The recipient is selected not necessarily by the size of the gift, but by the significance and meaning behind it. Terry and Suzanne Sorom have been donors to the WVC Foundation for decades, with giving to a variety of areas. Terry is a former foundation board president and emeritus member.

The Harvey Award: Ford Barrett

The Harvey Award is presented to a past WVC Foundation board member who has given time, talent and treasure in his or her service to the WVC Foundation and demonstrates passion about Wenatchee Valley College, its faculty, programs and future growth. Ford Barrett was a long-time foundation board member, emeritus member and served on the WVC Athletics Booster Club. Ford and his wife Marlys are generous supporters of the foundation and received the Outstanding Friend of the College award in 2003.

WVC Distinguished Alumni: Barbara Walters

The Distinguished Alumni award recognizes outstanding achievement by alumni of Wenatchee Valley College. As Executive Director of North Central Regional Library, Barbara Walters is able to leverage and use her many years of dedicated library work to fulfill her passion for connecting people and communities to the important resources and services that the library district offers. Walters has shown a clear desire and direction for education and professional growth starting with graduating from WVC in 1993, going on to graduate from the University of Phoenix and finally earning a master's degree from Drexel University.

WVC Hero: Roy Ferguson

Roy Ferguson was nominated for his “very intentional and thoughtful support of two programs at Wenatchee Valley College.” Through Ferguson’s support and partnership with the Center for Entrepreneurship, five local businesses have launched, with another seven on the way. Ferguson has sponsored scholarships for engineering students over a number of years. As WVC launched the Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology, he modified the conditions of the scholarships to attract more applicants at WVC so students can advance their future career opportunities right here in our valley.

WVC Hero: Cakes for College, Keep it in the Valley Foundation

This group of heroes was nominated for their support of local graduating high school seniors to attend Wenatchee Valley College. The organization, founded in 2013, consists of 250 local volunteers – no staff and no paid positions. They donate 100 percent of their profits to fund scholarships.  

The Foundation Gala is at 5 p.m. in Orchard Hall at the Wenatchee Convention Center. The evening will feature a formal dinner, silent and live auctions and presentation of the awards. Reserve tickets at wvc.edu/foundation/gala or by calling (509) 682-6410.

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The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. It exists to build relationships between the community and the college and raise financial support for Wenatchee Valley College students, programs, faculty and staff, as well as special projects such as building campaigns like the Music and Art Center. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at http://www.wvc.edu/foundation.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Student Access Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.