The CGCC Board named Dr. Kenneth Lawson the new president of Columbia Gorge Community College at its Tuesday, June 20 meeting after completing a search during the past several months. Lawson was chosen from a panel of four finalists that were seeking the position. He begins the job on Aug. 1.

Al Barton was recently selected as the new Executive Director for the Center for Living after serving for a year as an interim in that position. Barton is picking up the pieces since Dr. June Gower tendered her resignation a year ago. Her tenure of fewer than two years was marked by financial challenges, union organization and substantial loss of employees. “I feel super fortunate,” said Barton on Friday, July 29. “There is plenty to do, and it’s a good time to be doing it.”