State Lieutenant Governor to Make a Stop at CWU

November 28, 2007

ELLENSBURG, Wash.--Washington's Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen will visit Central Washington University to host the fourth annual Campus-Community Coalition (CCC) Celebration of Accomplishments. Owen will present the keynote address at the luncheon, which starts at noon in the Student Union Ballroom on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007.

In his third term, Lieutenant Governor Owen is dedicated to providing leadership in the field of public health and safety. According to his Web site, Owen believes, "The future of our young people, our communities, our economy and our way of life rest largely on our vision for the future. So we must work hard to protect our future by doing well in the present moment." He says that means we must address issue such as youth violence and substance abuse now.

Co-chair of the new Washington State Mentoring Partnership, Owen has called for a balanced approach to substance abuse in the state and helped develop a plan he compares to a three-legged stool, with the legs representing prevention, treatment and law enforcement. This approach parallels the work of the CCC, where the university, school districts, prevention agencies, community members, and government officials represent the prevention piece, while local treatment providers and law enforcement agencies comprise the other two legs.

The CCC was created in May 2004 as the result of a united effort between the local community and CWU to create a healthier, safer environment and reduce underage and high risk drinking throughout Kittitas County. The CCC includes representatives from local law enforcement agencies, city and county government officials, prevention and treatment agencies, university and public school employees, local property owners, bar, tavern and alcohol retail outlet owners; the county health department, liquor control board, concerned citizens and CWU students.

"Risky drinking is a community, not just college, problem," says Lynne Harrison, CCC coordinator. "I believe this community should be applauded for its commitment to making changes that help people make the right choices, improving the quality of life for all of us. This luncheon meeting is our opportunity to acknowledge scores of volunteers whose participation on CCC committees help make a difference."

For more information about this event or the Campus-Community Coalition, please call 963-3240 or email lynneh@cwu.edu.

Contact: Lynne Harrison, CCC coordinator, 509-963-3240, lynneh@cwu.edu
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.