TBCC and Tillamook County Commissioner Labhart named OSU Extension Association cooperators

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CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State University Extension Association recently recognized Tillamook County Commissioner Mark Labhart and Tillamook Bay Community College for significant contributions to OSU Extension programs.

Labhart, TBCC President Connie Green and Deborah Lincoln, chair of the TBCC Board of Education, received plaques representing OSU Extension Association Cooperator Awards, on Dec. 9.

According to Oregon State University Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement and Director of Extension Service Scott Reed, Labhart, who serves on the Tillamook County Extension Advisory Council and who was recognized as an individual with 10 or more years of service, “has been an extremely valuable Extension advocate and collaborator.

“Most recently, Mark has taken the lead on fundraising for a new building that will house Tillamook County Extension, OSU Open Campus and Tillamook Bay Community College,” said Reed. “This new building will allow OSU to expand programming in Tillamook County and will connect a new generation of youth to college by bringing them physically into the college space. Mark’s history of collaboration with OSU is long-standing, including the distinction of being a co-creator of OSU Open Campus, and we are excited for this opportunity to honor his achievements.”

Labhart, an OSU graduate, said, “The OSU Extension Program in Tillamook County is one of the best in the state. I’m honored to help in any way I can to support Extension both at the local level and at the state level.”

Reed said the Association recognized TBCC, represented by Green and the TBCC Board, with its Cooperator Award for an organization for being “amazing collaborators with OSU. Through the support of the TBCC Board, we have a flourishing OSU Open Campus site based at the college, including a new associate’s degree that transfers to OSU. The TBCC Board was also the first financial supporter behind a new shared building between TBCC and OSU in Tillamook. This building holds the potential for a wealth of new programming in our area and new partnerships between TBCC and OSU. We are grateful for this opportunity to recognize the TBCC Board of Education for their collaborations with OSU in Tillamook County.”

“The College Board knows that OSU Extension and Open Campus are our number one higher education partner,” said Green and Lincoln in a joint statement. “It is through this partnership that more opportunities are available to all of us in Tillamook County. We are honored that OSU sees us as their ‘key cooperator.’ We look forward to even more connection and sharing when the Partners for Rural Innovation Building is complete.”