A member of Highline College’s first graduating class of 1963 returned to campus this fall, bringing stories and comparisons from the college’s earliest days.

In 1961, Doreen Quealey Carpenter (pictured above with college administrators) stepped into a temporary portable classroom, on the grounds of Glacier High School, and enrolled in brand new Highline College.

Then and Now

She was among 385 students, fewer than the 14,000-plus (including 6,000 full-time) served today. Recalling the 14 portable classrooms that constituted the original campus, Doreen noted, “There was no space for lingering and mixing with friends after classes…and limited campus culture outside the classroom.”

While visiting this fall, she delighted in seeing 80 landscaped acres and spacious buildings “offering students lots of space to study or gather socially.” Her two years as a student were a time of great change for the area: I-5 was being constructed, the space needle completed, and the Seattle World’s Fair debuted. As landmarks to the area were being created, Doreen’s class established landmark traditions for the college.

As a member of the first student government, she helped choose (through student surveys) our beloved, mighty Thunderbird as the school mascot, and school colors – initially a tartan plaid! She laughingly recalled the campus ‘advanced’ technology: a copy machine with a drum that required manual cranking. A stark contrast to today’s high-tech campus.

Life after Highline

Upon graduation, Highline College president, Dr. M. A. “Pat” Allan, found Doreen housing with a family in Bellingham so she could attend Western Washington University. She graduated with a teaching degree, and later she earned her Master of Science in Education at Western Oregon University (then Western Oregon State College).

She credits her community college experience with preparing her for university work and underpinning her successful and happy career as a highly qualified early childhood specialist, with a special love for teaching kindergarten.

Reconnecting with Highline

Reconnecting with Highline was triggered, she said with a chuckle, “by reaching the age of IRA required minimum distributions,” which inspired her to think about where she wanted to give her money. Highline College came top of mind!

“Highline’s foundational support to my development, and its mission to others and to society”, she said, inspired her to donate to the Highline College Foundation. “It pleases me very much”, she continued, “to have some small part in assisting a worthy student who struggles to make ends meet."

When the Foundation invited her this fall to Thunderbirds Soar, she drove from her home in Oregon. At the event she appreciated seeing increased diversity compared to her days at the college, and “was impressed with how the program featured and lifted up the students.”

Community College Advocate

An outspoken advocate for community colleges, she values that they reflect local populations and serve local needs. Looking back on her time in those portables, Doreen expressed deep gratitude for the role Highline played in setting her in motion for a successful life well lived!

Special thanks to Moira Fulton, retired Highline College faculty and Foundation Board member for writing this article.