Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Lower Columbia College (LCC) and the Lower Columbia College Foundation (LCCF) have announced the selection of Kim O'Neill as the 2020 LCC Alumna of the Year. The annual LCCF award was created to acknowledge LCC alumni who have made significant contributions to the community, and whose accomplishments, relationships and careers have exemplified the legacy of excellence at LCC.
O'Neill is a Longview native and graduated with an Associate in Arts and Sciences from LCC while in her twenties. She married and decided to become a stay-at-home mom to her three children. After going through a divorce and becoming a single mother, she knew it was time for her to find a career that would provide a good life for herself and her young children. she had wanted to be a nurse since she was a little girl, so returned to LCC and completed her nursing degree in 1987.
Two of O'Neill's children also attended LCC. Her son, William, participated in Running Start, and her daughter, Fawn, graduated in 2017. Kim was excited to witness her daughter's experience at LCC 30 years later and shares, "LCC continues to maintain the integrity of a high quality learning environment, challenging minds, and bringing students together." O'Neill believes that returning to school as a young mother encouraged her children to pursue higher education. All three of her children obtained four-year degrees or higher.
"We are honored to present Kim O'Neill as the 2020 Alumna of the Year. Kim's gentle nature, world vision and passion for LCC embodies the mission of the college. Kim's work in our community as an oncology nurse and her ongoing support of LCC ensures a lasting legacy of hope, health and opportunity for every person in our community," said LCC President Chris Bailey.
O'Neill will be honored at this year's "virtual" LCC Foundation Horns & Halos Gala on October 1. For more information about the LCC Foundation, LCC Alumni or to join the LCC Foundation Alumni Association, visit lowercolumbia.edu/foundation.
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