2023 Alumni of the Year: Jeane Wirkkala Moksness

Jeane Wirkkala Moksness

Ms. Jeane Wirkkala Moksness, 2023 LCC Alumna of the Year

 

The LCCF Alumni of the Year award is to acknowledge Lower Columbia College alumni who have made significant contributions to the community, and whose accomplishments, relationships, and careers have exemplified the legacy of excellence at LCC. Lower Columbia College (LCC) and the Lower Columbia College Foundation (LCCF) are pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Jeane Wirkkala Moksness as the 2023 LCC Alumna of the Year.

The LCCF Alumni of the Year award is to acknowledge Lower Columbia College alumni who have made significant contributions to the community, and whose accomplishments, relationships, and careers have exemplified the legacy of excellence at LCC. Lower Columbia College (LCC) and the Lower Columbia College Foundation (LCCF) are pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Jeane Wirkkala Moksness as the 2023 LCC Alumna of the Year.

While teaching at Portland State University, she met her husband, Roger Moksness. She then taught at Corvallis where she supported Roger at OSU. After Roger graduated from OSU, Jeane worked as a kindergarten and second grade teacher at the Lesley-Ellis School in Cambridge, Massachusetts while supporting her husband through his education at Harvard Business College. She shared that she was presented an honorary certificate from Harvard upon his graduation, the “PHT” degree, Put Hubby Through. Jeane’s professional career included teaching young children from early childhood through second grade in Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington including 23 years at LCC. She retired from LCC in 2000. During her tenure at LCC worked in Early Childhood Education where she served in various roles including instructor/coordinator, Department Chair of Early Childhood and Parent Education, Nursing and Physical Education and as director of the LCC Childcare Center.

Jeane and Roger moved to Longview in 1969 where they raised their three daughters, Joelle, Janea, and Jami. Jeane has also served on behalf of many different community organizations including the Mosquito Control Board, Mint Valley PTO, Longview Country Club Board, Longview Junior Service League, LCC Retiree Association, and as a validator for NAEYC for childcare centers seeking accreditation validating more than 21 centers from Alaska to Wyoming as well as many other professional affiliations.    

Jeane was excited to learn she was named LCC’s Alumna of the Year. When asked to share LCC’s impact on her life and for others, Jeane responded “LCC provided me a great foundation for my education and career. My career at LCC allowed me to meet wonderful people. LCC is unique in that the faculty bring high quality and consistency. The campus is up-to-date, beautiful, and everything is close and accessible for students.”

Jeane’s philanthropic support at LCC includes the Athletic Excellence Fund, College Success Fund, Student Success Fund, LCC’s Early Learning Center, the Roger and Jeane (Wirkkala) Moksness Endowed Scholarship Fund, the LCCF general scholarship fund, and unrestricted. Jeane’s support to the mission of the college is strengthened by her time spent working with students which allowed her to see the needs of the community first hand and through her service on the LCC Scholarship Committee reading student applications.

“We are honored to present Jeane Moksness as LCC’s 2023 Alumna of the Year. Jeane’s longstanding support as an alumni and continued service to LCC and our community is extraordinary,” noted LCC President, Chris Bailey.

Jeane will be honored at this year’s “Lifetime Donor Celebration” on November 14, 2023. For more information about the LCC Foundation, LCC Alumni or to join the LCC Foundation Alumni Association, visit lowercolumbia.edu/foundation.

 

For more information about the LCC Foundation, LCC Alumni or to join the LCC Foundation Alumni Association, visit lowercolumbia.edu/foundation.


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