Published November 2002

Cogswell eyes facility, program expansion

By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer

With an eye to the future, Henry Cogswell College recently unveiled plans that could triple the size of its downtown Everett campus over the next decade.

Much would have to fall into place, from fund raising to property acquisition, for it to become a reality, but the college is anxious to try.

“We just feel the time is right and this would be best for the college and the community,” said Ron Hundley, president of the college.

Henry Cogswell College hosted a reception for community leaders in October during which officials raised the possibility of expanding the college’s presence between Wall Street and Pacific Avenue.

The college of 300 students hopes to expand enrollment to 1,000 in the years ahead. Henry Cogswell College has doubled its enrollment since moving from Kirkland to Everett six years ago.

Along the way, the college would add degree programs and graduate-level courses.

“What those new programs would be really depends on what the community helps us decide to do,” Hundley said.

Reid Shockey, an Everett planning consultant and chairman of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, said the possibilities are exciting.

“They are committing not only to downtown Everett but to the county,” Shockey said. “They are going to continue their baccalaureate programs and their engineering courses, which are critical to the area’s needs.”

The independent, private college offers majors in business administration, computer sciences, digital arts, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, along with continuing-education opportunities.

It has worked hard to diversify its enrollment. Where once roughly 85 percent of its student body was Boeing-related tuition, that percentage is now about 23 percent.

The college has had contact with some of its neighboring landowners. The vacant former Greyhound bus station is one of the properties it hopes to acquire.

The college would not try to acquire the future home of the Snohomish County Children’s Museum, which also is on the block.

“It would just make sense to have this area reserved for education and youth programs,” Hundley said.

Preliminary architectural designs attempt to complement the former Everett Federal Building, which houses most of the college’s existing operations.

“Our desire, whatever we do, is to not overpower this building,” Hundley said.

The college will seek financial backing, roughly $25 million to $30 million, from several sources, including the local community.

“It’s not going to happen overnight,” said Richard Doughty, assistant director of community relations.

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