Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, an important figure in the development of Highline Community College and the first female president of a publicly funded college district in the state of Washington, died Sept. 20 in Burien at the age of 86.

Dr. Gordon, along with other local leaders, was successful in establishing the college in 1961. She later served as Highline's president for 14 years and continued to contribute nationally to higher education.

A campus memorial service was held Oct. 4 in the Highline Student Union on Highline's main campus.

Dr. Gordon began her career in education in the 1940s as a science and math instructor in public schools. She returned to her alma mater, Washington State University, in the early 1950s to teach chemistry and complete her doctorate degree.

While there, she read educational research abstracts convincing her of the need for more two-year colleges in the state.

She accepted a chemistry faculty position at Grays Harbor College, wanting to experience the realities of a two-year institution for herself. During her seven years there, she became convinced that she wanted help create a two-year college in a community that needed one.

The Highline School District aspired to provide college opportunities to its community. In 1959, Dr. Gordon became the district's science and mathematics director.

She was also a subtle force in organizing residential, business and political entities to study and justify the need for a community college to the state office of public instruction and state legislature.

Dr. Gordon organized an evening post-secondary program, demonstrating that the local demand was evident. Highline offered four courses taught by three individuals with doctorates; Dr. Gordon taught two math courses. Soon, the statute that prevented the area from having a two-year college was changed, and with local support, the college was formally created.

A new campus was funded and opened in 1964 in Des Moines.

As one of the first employees at the new college, she was instrumental in facilitating programs, establishing a campus culture, and setting parameters to create and maintain academic excellence and quality service.

Her role at Highline steadily increased, and she was named president in 1976, a post she held for 14 years until her retirement in 1990.

She was a staunch academician and a respected voice for this blossoming higher education concept, Highline officials said.

They noted her advice regarding education at all levels was sought by local organizations as well as by state and national leaders. Dr. Gordon took advantage of each available opportunity to extol the successes and contributions of two-year colleges.

She served as the only community college representative on President Ronald Reagan's National Commission on Excellence in Education and was a principal author of the commission's report, A Nation At Risk.

Dr. Gordon first encountered Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges while teaching at Grays Harbor College. A strong supporter of PTK, she was appointed to the PTK National Board of Directors in 1986 and named chairman 1988. She led in this capacity for 20 years, making her the longest-serving chairman in PTK's history.

In recognition of her leadership and support, PTK annually presents the national Shirley B. Gordon Awards of Distinction to community college presidents or CEOs for their outstanding support of PTK.

For her contributions to the U.S. community college system, she received the 2005 National Leadership Award from the American Association of Community Colleges. She was the third woman to receive the prestigious American Association of Community College's Leadership Award.

Dr. Gordon was also active locally, sitting on the Highline Community Hospital Board of Directors, Judson Park/Caldwell Health Center Board of Managers and the Central Puget Sound Economic Development District Board of Directors.

During her 29 years at the college, she was instrumental in making it an integral part of an ever-changing, vibrant and diverse community, Highline officials recalled. She enthusiastically supported "her" college and was a dedicated crusader for the community college concept locally, regionally and nationally

Donations in Dr. Gordon's memory may be made to the Shirley B. Gordon Academic Excellence Award, c/o Highline Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 98000 MS 99-248, Des Moines, WA 98198-9800.

Checks earmarked for the fund should be made payable to the Highline Community College Foundation.