Highline College honors renowned educator, advocate
Published 2:17 pm Thursday, June 4, 2015
For the Reporter
Highline College has recognized Dr. Gene Sharratt for his dedication, passion and outstanding contributions to education.
Sharratt, executive director of the Washington Student Achievement Council, will be honored as the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner during the college’s commencement ceremony on June 11 at the ShoWare Center in Kent.
“Dr. Sharratt represents the ideal Highline College graduate,” said Jack Bermingham, president of Highline. “He has dedicated his life to improving education and fostering student success. He remains an unabashed community college advocate whom we are proud to recognize as the college’s 2015 Distinguished Alumnus.”
Sharratt has spent his more than 40-year career in education, whether it be in teaching, administration, research or as an education advocate. He came to Highline College in 1969 as a decorated veteran after serving two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Vietnam. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Washington State University, a master’s in school administration from Pacific Lutheran University and returned to WSU for his doctorate in curriculum.
Sharrat’s wide-ranging experience includes teaching elementary school and college students; serving as a principal, school district superintendent and college program director; and leading the Washington Student Achievement Council.
He has earned numerous awards for service, leadership and excellence including the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Education at Pacific Lutheran University and Distinguished Alumni Spotlight Award from Washington State University. Sharratt credits his early experience at Highline as the catalyst for his successful career in education.
