EvCC official moves on after a productive five years

EVERETT — Michael Kerns, who has had a hand in running and building up Everett Community College, is moving on.

The EvCC vice president of administrative services has handled budget, information technology, maintenance, capital projects and safety and security issues for the college. He also served as EvCC’s interim president for several months in 2006.

Kerns is the new vice president for facilities administration at Seattle University. He will trade a 35-minute commute to Everett for a 10-minute bus ride to Seattle University.

Much of his time in Everett was spent on building projects.

He has played a role in the opening of the new $30 million Whitehorse Hall, the $49 million Gray Wolf Hall undergraduate center that’s expected to open next spring and a $3 million renovation of the college’s Early Learning Center, which will open in September.

The college also is in the design stage of a new $25 million fitness center and is doing early design work for a new $45 million health sciences building. Next year, it plans to submit a proposal to the Legislature requesting $60 million for a new library.

“It is extremely hard to walk away from all this,” Kerns said. “It has been a tremendous experience in Everett. It has been a pretty exciting time. I have been blessed to be in a position to have an impact on the long-term future of the college.”

Kerns said his greatest reward has been seeing how much more faculty and students can do in their new buildings.

Kerns, 37, started working at EvCC in 2003 and was soon promoted from an assistant administrative officer to an executive vice president.

EvCC President David Beyer said Kerns will be remembered for years to come on the EvCC campus, particularly in new buildings that will change the college’s landscape.

“His legacy will rise in front of us,” Beyer said. “He has left a lasting impact on the college.”

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.