Grays Harbor College Foundation

05/04/2026

This spring, the Grays Harbor College Foundation is pleased to have awarded scholarships to 195 students pursuing higher education at GHC, for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. 🎉

Altogether, scholarships awarded this cycle totaled $572,889 in financial support for tuition, books, and fees – nearly $112,000 more than was awarded last spring! “Providing students with the means to successfully reach their goals and complete their degree and certificate programs is at the heart of everything we do at the Foundation,” says Lisa J. Smith, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “Our donors are dedicated to making the academic journey possible for GHC students, and their generosity allows us to uphold the Foundation’s mission and support the growth of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.”

Aberdeen, WA – This spring, the Grays Harbor College Foundation is pleased to have awarded scholarships to 195 students pursuing higher education at GHC, for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. Altogether, scholarships awarded this cycle totaled $572,889 in financial support for tuition, books, ...

05/02/2026

E.K. and Lillian F. Bishop Scholarship applications are now open for the 2026-2027 academic year! 📝

The Bishop Scholarship is dedicated to supporting the academic journeys of Grays Harbor County students who are entering their junior and senior years of their undergraduate educations or pursuing a graduate degree. Scholarship amounts may be up to $5,000 per year for undergraduate students and up to $7,000 per year for graduate students. Application submissions will be accepted through Wednesday, July 1, and recipients will be notified of the committee’s decision in August.

Apply today!

Aberdeen, WA – E.K. and Lillian F. Bishop Foundation Scholarship applications will open for the 2026-2027 academic year on Friday, May 1. The E.K. and Lillian F. Bishop Scholarship is dedicated to supporting the academic journeys of Grays Harbor County students who are entering their junior and se...

04/22/2026

Happy National Library Week! GHC is lucky to have the stellar John Spellman Library on our Aberdeen campus, and we are grateful to the Foundation donors who support our library. From books to art, carpets to furniture, databases and beyond, donor gifts fulfill a variety of needs that keep our library welcoming, accessible, and up to date. 📚



Image: GHC students browse and read in the John Spellman Library. Photo by Bonell Photography.

04/05/2026

The GHC Foundation’s investment in re-establishing Community & Continuing Education programs at GHC has reached an exciting new milestone with the launch of a course catalog of available classes and in-person offerings at all three campus locations, as well as online options!

Designed to help you follow your interests and build your momentum, the course catalog is organized into four categories: Create & Express, Live & Thrive, Learn & Explore, and Work & Advance. Explore all available courses and sign up at the Community & Continuing Education page at

Our non-credit classes are designed around the interests and needs of our communities. Courses include personal enrichment, professional skill-building, and industry-focused training, with practical, engaging instruction led by experienced local instructors.

04/02/2026

We are saddened to share the passing of Dr. Jim Phipps, a greatly respected member of the Grays Harbor College community.

Jim was a proud alumnus of Grays Harbor College, and his family had a meaningful connection to the institution. His father, Maurice Phipps, served GHC in multiple roles—as a psychology instructor, Director of Student Affairs, and coach of the men’s golf program. During his time as a student, Jim played on the GHC men’s golf team while his father served as coach. His wife, Toni, also graduated from Grays Harbor College.

After completing advanced degrees and professional work elsewhere, Jim returned to the Harbor and joined the Grays Harbor College faculty, where he taught geology and oceanography for 34 years, retiring in June 2000. Throughout his distinguished career, Jim inspired generations of students through his teaching and mentorship. He was also widely respected for his research and consulting work on issues critical to our region, including beach erosion, Chehalis River water quality, Dungeness crab populations, and subduction zone earthquakes. His work resulted in more than 40 published papers and reports, including one published in his 80th year. Jim especially valued the opportunity to employ and mentor GHC students through this work.

Jim’s lifelong connection to Grays Harbor College—as a student, athlete, and faculty member—left a lasting impact on generations of students and the College community.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 10, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen.

In accordance with Jim’s wishes, memorial gifts may be made to the Grays Harbor College Foundation at www.ghc.foundation/give or by mail to 1620 Edward P. Smith Dr, Aberdeen, WA.

03/27/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Carli Schiffner on being selected as an Aspen Institute Presidents Fellow, joining only 23 community college leaders nationwide. This honor reflects her commitment to student success, economic mobility, and expanding opportunity for learners across Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. We’re excited to see how this work continues to strengthen futures for our students and our community.

We’re proud to share that the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has selected GHC President Dr. Carli Schiffner as one of 23 community college leaders nationwide for the newest cohort of the Presidents Fellowship!

Fellows like Dr. Schiffner were chosen for their dedication to student success, commitment to innovation, ability to lead change, and focus on building strong community partnerships.

Over the year, Dr. Schiffner will collaborate with leading experts and fellow presidents to strengthen strategies that support GHC and help more students achieve meaningful outcomes both during and after they leave college, whether they’re entering a career or planning to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree.

Learn more here: https://www.ghc.edu/news/grays-harbor-college-president-dr-carli-schiffner-selected-for-the-aspen-institute-presidents-fellowship

03/13/2026

Join the GHC Foundation at Steam Donkey Brewing in downtown Aberdeen next Friday, March 20, for their monthly Charitable Suds night! From 5 to 8pm, $1 of every pint poured will be donated to the Foundation in support of Grays Harbor College and its students – in addition to a portion of the proceeds from every pint of 360 Golden Ale sold throughout the month.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🍻

03/03/2026

03/03/2026

We are thrilled to share that BWC Terminals has made a generous gift to the Journey Campaign!

Steve Williams, Terminal Manager for BWC’s Hoquiam location, visited Grays Harbor College to meet with Executive Director Lisa J. Smith and present a check in support of campaign.

BWC Terminals is a leader in customized bulk liquid storage solutions, with 22 terminals across North America and a strong commitment to safety, stewardship, and the communities they serve. Their gift reflects those values and directly supports students here at Grays Harbor College.

Thank you to Steve Williams and the entire BWC Terminals team for investing in local education, opportunity, and the future of our community.

You make the Journey possible!



Image: GHC Foundation Executive Director Lisa J. Smith and Steve Williams smile for a selfie.

02/19/2026

The Bruce “Beep” Phillips Scholarship Endowment, established with the Grays Harbor College Foundation, honors Phillips’ memory as a dedicated commercial truck driver and proud member of the Grays Harbor community. This scholarship endowment was created in 2025 by Phillips’ mother, Katherine Diehm, in order to support aspiring CDL students in Phillips’ honor.

Phillips was a lifelong resident of Hoquiam, Washington. After his graduation from Hoquiam High School, Phillips spent five years in military service before returning to his hometown to begin his career as a commercial log truck driver for Byron Brothers Trucking. Following his time with Byron Brothers, Phillips drove for his stepfather’s company, Carlin Diehm Trucking, for 19 years, and then for RL Smith Logging until his death at the age of 65 in 2025.

Known as “Beep” by his large community of friends, Phillips loved to travel with the people he loved, go out fishing on his boat, and ride his motorcycle. Phillips was intentional and generous in sharing time with his friends, meeting up with them for breakfast on every morning that he was not scheduled to work.

We are deeply honored to steward this scholarship in Beep’s memory and to help carry forward the values he lived every day—hard work, loyalty, and a deep love for his community. Through this endowment, his legacy will continue to inspire and support the next generation of drivers who will keep the Harbor moving.

Photo: Beep behind the wheel of an R.L. Smith Logging truck.

02/16/2026

“In the absence of federal support, the GHC Foundation has stepped in to help fill the gap through our Childcare Assistance Grant program, which provides direct financial support to student parents.” - Executive Director Lisa J. Smith

Editor’s note: This interview first appeared in Path Finders, an email newsletter from the Daily Yonder. Path Finders features a Q&A with a rural thinker, creator or doer.