4 Year University Idea For Wenatchee, Washington

I think Wenatchee needs a 4 year university. I think this would be a really strong move, for the community and surrounding areas. It would draw people from Tri-Cities, Moses Lake, and the smaller towns. Instead of going to Central or Eastern, I think Wenatchee could put together a 4 year program.

I don't know how it's done, that kind of building and accredidation. My argument for this would be as follows:

1. Wenatchee would become a University Town. That just means opportunity, more money, and fun. It could have a stronger exchange program too and start bringing in a mixture of new and old "blood".

2. Kids in Wenatchee need something to strive for. Many do not want to move or cannot move. People stay in Wenatchee, or come back to it, primarily, because of their families and the elderly or because they have child custody situations here or are caring for someone who is sick. Putting a 4 year college in, by amping up the community college, would give these people an opportunity to get degrees while they are still with their families and then if they wish, later they could move elsewhere, or just bring higher skills to this community in general. They barely finish their community college levels programs here. The drop-out rate is very high. Putting the college into a new mode would provide some challenge.

3. Wenatchee has 3 kinds of solid talent here: artistic, business, and agriculture. Wenatchee should have, with all the talent here, degrees offered in these areas. I think, at bare minimum, an English department (with theatre and video production), Music department, Business, and Agriculture. Maybe culinary too. I think there is potential for a wine/culinary program right here. Make Wenatchee and Chelan the NW Napa Valley and bring the talent from here, and don't rely on Seattle for everything. Start taking advantage of what is HERE.

It almost makes more sense to have these programs here than in other parts of the state. It doesn't have to be just a tourist or family town--I think it could really thrive and people could benefit greatly from turning it into a college town. Maybe something for nursing too so it's not necessary to finish some of the degrees elsewhere. I don't know about medical school, but definitely some of the other programs could be brought in. It would stimulate the artistic and creative talent that's already here. There are some artists that would enjoy getting Art Degrees here and using the advantage of being close to scenery. I think there is massive potential. I think it would bring in a nice exchange of ideas and talent. Spanish as a degree too. A B.A. program for Spanish and probably Russian wouldn't be difficult to come up with.

I wonder what it takes? What is required to bring in a 4 Year accredidation? How would this affect WVCC and how could they profit?

There are already venues for the exploration of this talent. There is a conservatory which could be worked with, there's an art supply store, and bookstores, and theatres. There are places for internships for agriculture and business as well as for nursing.

It would give people something to do besides get married young and have kids and not be able to move anywhere else because they have part custody here.

People cannot get outside of these mountains. It's like living in a fortress. Too difficult for families to get ahead if they already were planted here. It's why they stay and why they "come back" but get stuck in low level work.

I may be "loco" but I have an entreuprenerial mind. I wonder what it would take to put this together and if the community board people have thought about this? Also, technical skill here is pretty high. Most farmers or those begat by farmers, are pretty strong, naturally, in science and math.

Could probably do something with outdoor degrees and business development too. Degrees specializing in tourism and outdoor activity planning.