April 15, 2002
Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., will present the commencement address at Central Washington University’s 111th graduation ceremony Saturday, June 8, in Ellensburg.
More than 900 students are expected to participate in CWU graduation ceremonies, slated for 10 a.m. at Tomlinson Stadium. Gates will open for family and friends at 8:15 a.m. A crowd of more than 7,000 is expected.
Born in 1958, Cantwell and her four brothers and sisters grew up in Indianapolis. She credits her parents and grandparents for instilling in her a love of public service and community involvement.
In 1980, Cantwell received her bachelor’s degree in public policy from Miami University of Ohio and then moved to Washington. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college. Six years later, at the age of 28, she was elected to the state legislature, where she served as a chief architect of the state’s Growth Management Act.
In 1992, Cantwell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Seattle’s first congressional district. On Capitol Hill, she developed a reputation as a steadfast supporter for environmental protection and defender of a woman’s right to choose.
Cantwell left Congress in 1995 and joined a fledgling Seattle software firm, working there for five years before being elected to the Senate, where she took the oath of office on Jan. 3, 2001.
The CWU commencement ceremony will also be televised live on KCWU, channel 2 on the Ellensburg cable television system.
