Lynn Valenter
Vice President of Finance and Treasurer, Reed College
The award recognizes and salutes selfless dedication and commitment to the WSU Vancouver community through participation in campus activities, leadership on behalf of WSU Vancouver, and dedication of time, talent and resources toward advancing WSU’s mission. It is presented annually at the WSU Vancouver Commencement ceremony.
When you admire daffodils blooming on campus in spring or snowflakes glistening on campus banners, thank Lynn Valenter. In more than 20 years at WSU Vancouver, Valenter made countless positive contributions to university operations, and as the university grew, she made it a priority to maintain its attractiveness and ensure that new buildings serve the campus’s needs as well as the landscape.
Valenter joined the university as facilities and auxiliary services manager in 1997, was promoted to director of finance and operations in 1999, then to vice chancellor in 2005. She also served as interim chancellor for two years, from 2010 to 2012. She left in 2021 to serve as vice president of finance and treasurer at Reed College in Portland, Ore. Even after that, she continued to serve WSU Vancouver by consulting on a new budget model and staffing transitions.
Active both on behalf of the institution and as a community member, Valenter participated in numerous county initiatives around long-term and district planning and other technical development issues. She served CREDC as a board member, committee chair and alternate. She played a leadership role in the I-5 Bridge committee. She has engaged with many local school districts and ESD 112 on initiatives, grant proposals and similar collaborative efforts. As a self-described “wonky” individual with financial expertise, she provides insight to community processes that enhance the perspectives of other participants.
Valenter helped the university accomplish its highest priorities, serving as liaison to Clark County on campus growth plans. She oversaw the development of an updated master plan, holding several community forums and working closely with all key parties. She was instrumental in making the new Sciences Building, now under construction, a reality.
Representing Clark County on the Institute for Metropolitan Studies at Portland State University, she interacted with community leaders and elected officials throughout the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area, ensuring that Clark County is included in regional priorities, studies and data generation.
An exceptional manager, Valenter earns the respect of her staff by encouraging their development, listening to their concerns and treating them fairly. Both directly and indirectly, she has helped countless people succeed.
She volunteers with Winter Hospitality Overflow, an organization devoted to help those in need during winter’s coldest months. She serves on several local and national boards. She is past chairperson of NACUBO, the National Association of College and University Business Officers. In 2016, Valenter was honored by the Portland Business Journal’s Women of Influence in the nonprofit category, and in 2019 she received the Iris Award as a woman of achievement in the Vancouver community.
Valenter grew up in Portland and now lives in Camas with her husband. She continues to be an advocate for WSU Vancouver.
Past award recipients
2019 – 2020
Michael C. Worthy, President and CEO of WW Payment Systems, Inc. and WSU Regent
2018 – 2019
Steve Horenstein, Horenstein Law Group
2016 – 2017
Dan Harmon, Hoffman Construction
2014 – 2015
Riverview Community Bank
2013 – 2014
Twyla Barnes
2011 – 2012
Leslie Wykoff
2010 – 2011
Bill Fromhold
2006 – 2007
Joe King, King and King
2005 – 2006
Bart Phillips, CREDC
2003 – 2004
Ed and Mary Firstenburg
2002 – 2003
Scott Campbell, The Columbian
Renee Hoeksel
2001 – 2002
Val Ogden
2000 – 2001
Tom Hougan
Sherry Vaughan
1999 – 2000
Al Bauer
Sam Smith
1997 – 1998
Jane Cote, Bob Weis and
Hewlett Packard
1996 – 1997
Earl Muir
1995 – 1996
John Shroyer
1994 – 1995
Joe Johnson and
Clark College
1993 – 1994
Bob Schaefer
1992 – 1993
Gay Selby