A former University of Washington administrator came out of retirement last week to help lead Henry Cogswell College, a small private school in downtown Everett.
Craig Purkey has done some consulting work since retiring in 1998 from UW, where he served 22 years, including three as vice provost of budget and planning. He will serve as provost and chief operating officer at Cogswell.
Purkey takes over for Henry Walbesser, who returned to his Texas home in the fall after just eight months on the job. Walbesser’s departure followed that of former President Homer Garcia, who was placed on leave in October after less than two years at the helm.
Henry Cogswell College is operated by the San Diego-based Foundation for Educational Achievement.
Foundation chief executive Bill Pickens has been serving as interim president – flying to Everett about every other week – and recruited Purkey.
There is no search yet planned for a new president.
“Essentially, the campus is going through some challenges, and our board … needs to have confidence in the leaders,” Pickens said.
The 200-student college saw enrollment drop by about 30 this fall. Tuition went up 5 percent to $8,340 per trimester.
Goals for college leaders include boosting enrollment by 100 students during the next five years, and working to get those student mostly as transfers from local community colleges. The college said it also hopes to reinvigorate its partnership with Boeing and seek new community ties.
Cogswell has historical links to Boeing, which commissioned the college 27 years ago for evening engineering classes for its employees.
The school now has degree programs in digital arts, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and business.
The Foundation for Educational Achievement has owned the college since its move to Everett from Kirkland in the 1990s. The group also oversees three other education groups, all in California.
Ralph Boy, the only local member of the foundation’s board of trustees, declined to comment about the administrative changes.
Pickens said Garcia would continue to be paid through the end of his contract. He declined to say how long is left. Garcia could not be reached for comment.
Walbesser, now back in Waco, Texas, said he enjoyed his time in Everett and admires the college, but the weather and distance were too much for his wife.
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