At a time when higher education leaders nationwide are being pressed to defend tough budget decisions in the light of draconian budget cuts, Tacoma Community College (TCC) President Dr. Pamela Transue is being honored with a leadership award, and a campus building is being newly christened with her name.

A naming ceremony for the Pamela Transue Center for Science and Engineering will be held onsite, June 2 at 2:30 p.m., followed by a reception from 3 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Located at the south end of campus, the center has been known as the “Science and Engineering Building” since its completion in 2007. With support from the campus community, the name was changed by unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees at their October 2009 meeting.

The naming ceremony takes place just weeks after Transue received the 2010 President’s Award for Leadership from the Washington’s Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges (TACTC).

TACTC presents annual leadership awards to trustees and presidents in the state community and technical college system. Transue, who is currently serving as President of the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) President’s group, was nominated for the TACTC award by the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees.

The nomination notes Transue’s contributions to the larger community and her work on behalf of the community college system at the state and national level. But it focuses on the support Transue has received from the campus community, citing the award she received for management of last year’s budget crisis and the college community’s recent support for the Board’s proposal to name a campus building in her honor.

“The nominating statement details the remarkable accomplishments of a remarkable President, and we are very fortunate that she serves as our chief executive officer,” said TCC Board of Trustees Chair Laurie Jinkins.

A teacher and administrator for over 25 years, Transue has been President of Tacoma Community College since 1997. During her tenure, the College has grown to over 19,000 students annually, with about 9,000 attending at any given time. Numerous improvements have been made in student support services, and several new degree programs have been developed in response to community needs. Before coming to TCC, Transue served as Executive Dean of the Rock Creek and Open Campuses of Portland Community College for eight years. Earlier positions include seven years as Special Assistant to the President at the University of Washington and an administrative role with Continuing Education at the Ohio State University.