In making the donation, the Boschmas said they were excited to be a part of expanding educational opportunities for students in the region, including first generation and immigrant students. The family’s first interaction with Clark College was when they took a citizenship course in preparation for the national exam after emigrating from Holland. One of their daughters also attended Clark.
“This is such a blessing for all parties involved,” said Hank Boschma. “We are happy to be a part of this.”
Because of their donation, Knight said the satellite campus will be known as Clark College at Boschma Farms. The campus will start with one building, housing up to 1,000 students as early as 2020, and grow to include four to six buildings and associated facilities.
“For our students, the door of opportunity and access will be opened wider,” Knight said. “For the city of Ridgefield, this announcement is monumental.”
The announcement follows years of work between Clark College, the city of Ridgefield and the Port of Ridgefield.
Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow said the campus supports the city’s long-term goal of attracting high-paying, knowledge based jobs.
“Clark College at Boschma Farms will be a hub of activity that attracts even more new businesses to benefit all of north county,” he said.
Lisa Gibert, president and CEO of Clark College Foundation, who was instrumental in brokering the land deal, said the Boschma family gift sets the tone for the future of the region.
“This type of partnership demonstrates the overwhelming generosity that people of Southwest Washington have for Clark,” Gibert said in a press release. “Making education more accessible for people in the region means greater prosperity for the residents and a brighter economic future.”
Clark College plans to use state funding to cover design and construction costs for its north county building, along with ongoing maintenance and operations dollars. Knight said the building would not increase the burden on the school’s current budget or add costs for students.
