EUGENE, OR - Dr. Mary Spilde, president of Lane Community College, will receive the prestigious 2012 Eugene First Citizen Award. The award will be presented by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce at its annual Celebrate Business event on Wednesday, January 30 at the Hilton Eugene and Conference Center.
The First Citizen Award has been presented each year since 1938 to honor one outstanding individual who has made notable contributions to the Eugene-Springfield community through business and community service efforts.
"Dr. Spilde's selection as Eugene's First Citizen acknowledges the tremendously positive influence she has had in our community, region and state. From helping shape education policy for Oregon or stimulating downtown revitalization with Lane's new Downtown Campus, Dr. Spilde's commitment, vision and leadership have made a significant difference in our community," said Dave Hauser, president, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.
Spilde is a respected leader in higher education, workforce training, sustainability, and economic development, from Eugene to Washington D.C.
President of Lane since 2001, she provided the vision and leadership for Lane's new Downtown Campus which includes an academic building to serve students, businesses and the community, and a student apartment building. The project is credited with igniting $120 million in downtown revitalization projects.
Spilde has 32 years in higher education administration including 17 years at Lane Community College and 15 years at Linn-Benton Community College.
She serves on the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce board, the Lane Metro Partnership, and the Oregon Education Investment Board. She is a board member and past chair of the League for Innovation in the Community College and a past board chair of the American Association of Community Colleges. She served on the Association of American Colleges and Universities board of directors and the Steering Committee of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
A frequent presenter, author and spokesperson, she has been quoted in the Washington Post, New York Times, PBS Newshour, and Chronicle of Higher Education as well as local media.
She has won numerous awards including the 2012 Woman of the Year from the American Association for Women in Community Colleges and the 2011 CEO of the Year from the Association of Community College Trustees.
Born and raised in Scotland, Spilde earned a bachelor's and a law degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a master's and doctorate from Oregon State University.
Reservations for the 2013 Celebrate Business are required. Individual admissions as well as sponsored tables are available. Register online, call the Eugene Chamber at (541) 484-1314 or e-mail Kim Clark, events manager for details.
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Contact: Joan Aschim, PIO, (541) 463-5591, aschimj@lanecc.edu