New LBCC head looks to work with ‘rural partners’

Scott Swanson

Dr. Lisa Avery, newly arrived president of Linn-Benton Community College, told a group of Sweet Home leaders last week that she intends to see the college “really step up our game and work more closely with our rural partners.”

Avery, who took over on July 1 after serving as president of Portland Community College’s Sylvania campus since 2015, met with local leaders and board members Thursday evening, Oct. 7, on Weddle Bridge in a reception organized by local resident Jo Ann McQueary, secretary of the college’s foundation Board of Directors. 

Attendees included Rep. Jami Cate; County Commissioner Sherrie Sprenger; current LBCC board members Kristin Adams of Sweet Home, who is current chair, and Jeanie Davis of Lebanon, who is board vice chair; and new member John Sarna of Philomath, along with Carolyn Gardner of Corvallis, who is also on the college foundation board. 

At this, her first public event in Sweet Home, Avery said rural communities are “a valued part of our mission.”

She noted that she’s spent “a lot” of time in Sweet Home, much of it on McQueary’s porch, she said, “getting a lot of work done.” 

She emphasized the need for producing workers, telling employers in the group, “I hear a few of you are looking for workers. We want to figure out how we can work together to solve those workforce shortages and see what you need in terms of training and education.”

She said LBCC is committed to working with local communities to take advantage of economic opportunities. 

“It’s been a tough time and we want to help people rebound and get back on their feet,” Avery said. “And that’s going to take all of us – so, education for all, but it will take all of us.” 

Adams’ mother Janice Hornor, who was present at the reception, also chaired the LBCC board at one time – making them, Avery said, the first mother-daughter chairs, not only of the LBCC board, but in the entire nation.

Adams also noted that McQueary was her kindergarten teacher. 

She told how, when Hornor was chairing the board, “I remember her calling me and telling me that she was speaking at (LBCC’s) graduation. She went over her speech with me and I said, ‘Oh, Mom, you’re super brave. You’re gonna do this,'” she said, laughing. 

“I did not think I would be here,” Adams added. “This is quite an adventure for me, but I think it’s going to be fun.” 

Hornor also spoke: “Education has always been important to me. And I am so pleased that LBCC came to Sweet Home and built a facility and made it part of the high school complex. That is such a step up for kids, to know that they can go on and do something besides just stay in Sweet Home.” 

She listed examples of the 21 Sweet Home High School graduates who have been honored with the school’s High Q award, which honors exceptional achievement in life; one became a Yale University professor, and others have become doctors, lawyers and more. Still others have excelled in athletics. 

“We have a lot of graduates that have done phenomenal things,” Hornor said. 

“I’m glad LBCC’s here and has continued in our children’s education and now my grandchildren – and great-grandchildren,” she said, to laughter from the crowd on the bridge.

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