Columbia Basin College Honors Legacy Of Leadership With SWL Building Renaming, 70th Anniversary Celebration, And Legacy Hawk Sculpture Refurbishment (Photo) - 09/08/25
September 8, 2025, Pasco, WA— Columbia Basin College (CBC) today is celebrating a historic milestone honoring its 70th anniversary, the renaming of the Social Sciences and World Languages (SWL) Building after former CBC president Dr. Richard Cummins, and the start of work on the College’s iconic legacy Hawk sculpture, designed and built by CBC welding students in 1958. The event coincides with Welcome Week, a week dedicated to celebrating the kickoff of the new academic year.
During the celebration, the College will formally rename the SWL Building as the Richard Cummins Social Sciences & World Languages Building in recognition of Dr. Cummins’ lasting impact and dedication to students pursuing higher education during his tenure as CBC president from 2008 to 2017. Dr. Cummins has dedicated himself to accessibility in higher education, working diligently to increase CBC’s outreach and retention strategies to increase student success.
“CBC has always been a place where opportunity and transformation come together,” said Dr. Cummins, former CBC president. “I am deeply honored to have my name associated with a building that reflects our mission of learning, growth, and student achievement. This recognition is truly humbling.”
In addition to the renaming, current CBC welding students will begin refurbishment of the legacy Hawk, the large-scale metal sculpture situated at the 20th Street entrance on the Pasco campus. The legacy Hawk is a permanent symbol of the College’s spirit and history. The renovated sculpture is set to be unveiled in fall 2026.
“Seventy years of Columbia Basin College represents seven decades of service, progress, and dedication to our community,” said Dr. Rebekah Woods, CBC President. “It’s fitting that we celebrate by honoring Dr. Cummins’ legacy and by engaging our talented students in creating something enduring—a powerful symbol of pride and inspiration for generations to come.”
The day’s events bring together CBC leadership, faculty, staff, alumni, students, and community members to celebrate the College’s remarkable history and its bright future.
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Columbia Basin College (CBC) is a public community college serving the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities since 1955. CBC’s mission is to inspire, educate, and support all students in an environment of academic excellence leading to the completion of degrees, certifications, and educational transfers, while fostering meaningful employment, engaged citizenship, and a life-long joy of learning. CBC offers both two and four-year degrees and one-year Certificates. Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are offered in Applied Management, Applied Management in Agriculture or Healthcare Administration, Cyber Security, Dental Hygiene, Information Technology, Health Physics, Teacher Education, Project Management, and Community Health. CBC also offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
