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Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipients

2008 Distinguished Alumnus John Sato

John SatoA former Adna standout athlete, Centralia College alumnus, and successful Seattle architect and developer has been named the 2008 recipient of the Centralia College "Distinguished Alumnus" award. John Sato, a 1953 graduate of the college, overcame significant obstacles to earn a reputation as a gifted architect and progressive developer. Sato has been tapped to become the 31st recipient of the college’s highest honor.

The Sato family built a thriving farming enterprise near the old town site of Littell, where their neat-as-a-pin family farm was a source of community pride and a testament to the legendary work ethic of Japanese-Americans in the Northwest. John Sato was still a boy when his life was torn asunder by the invasion of Pearl Harbor. Sato, along with his parents, brothers, and one sister, were snatched from the family farm and sent to an internment camp at Tule Lake, California. "We came back when the camp closed," Sato recalled, "but our lives had changed." After Sato’s mother had died in the tents at Tule Lake, his father was determined to keep the family together on the Adna area farmstead.

Upon his graduation from high school, where Sato gained a reputation as a regional star athlete and popular student, he enrolled at then Centralia Junior College. His classmate, roommate, and best friend from the class of ’53 was current Centralia College trustee Dr. George Mohoric. The pair has remained fast friends for over half a century. "We lived at the old Fords Prairie fire station," Sato explained, "and we got to drive the fire truck if there was a fire." Then he laughed. "George only got to drive to two fires," Sato chuckled, "and one of those was a false alarm."

Soon after Sato graduated from Centralia College he was drafted into the army. Sato recognized the irony that had been the US Japanese internment policy, but was not embittered by it. Rather, like most Japanese-Americans in the Northwest, the Sato family remained staunchly patriotic. "Some of the young men were drafted right out of the tents," he remembered, "but most volunteered for military service, even while the war in the Pacific continued." After his discharge Sato entered the University of Washington, where he earned a degree in architecture. He worked for several firms as he learned the trade and soon opened his own office in Seattle. "I quickly recognized the potential for real estate development," he confided, "and as an architect I had an advantage."

Over the decades his enterprise has been very successful. On the verge of retirement, Sato has turned over the business reins to his son, an attorney and developer. Sato’s oldest son is an MD in California and his only daughter has a degree in communications at the UW. Sato still maintains his friendship with his pal George Mohoric, and is still quick to recognize the part Centralia College played in his success.

Sato will address the students of Centralia College at graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 13, at 3:50 p.m. This year’s commencement exercises will be held on the Aadland Esplanade in front of the clocktower and Kirk Library on the college campus.

Centralia College seeks Distinguished Alumnus candidates

A Centralia College selection committee continues to seek nominations for the college's annual Distinguished Alumnus award. This prestigious award is the highest honor the college confers upon individuals who have attended the college and is presented during commencement exercises in June.

The award is given to an individual who attended Centralia College for at least one year and has made significant contributions to his or her profession or society in general.

Previous winners of the honor include Brian Valentine, senior vice president of Windows, Microsoft; Susan Dunn, special assistant for policy support with the state Employment Security Department; Del Smith, founder and owner of Evergreen International Aviation, Inc.; Gordon Sweany, past chairman of the Board of Safeco Insurance; Patty Morton, an executive in the U.S. State Department; and Richard Ice, a retirement community administrator.

Both Smith and Valentine have earned National Alumni of the Year honors and were recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges.

Others honored include: Gary Justice, former KIRO-TV News anchor; John Mulligan, third-highest ranking official in the U.S. Post Office; Margaret Woods, a nationally recognized leader in the education of young children; Ford Rainey, movie and television actor; Jennifer Williams, founder of the British American Arts Association; James Lonborg, NASA engineer; Donald Fowler, an executive with Tandem Computers; Bill Brumsickle, a former school official and state legislator; and Orin Smith, president of Starbucks.

While the college is aware of the careers and accomplishments of many of its graduates, each year the selection committee depends upon members of the community to make nominations for the award, sharing their knowledge of the successes of Centralia College alumni. For additional information or nominating forms, call Centralia College, (360) 736-9391, ext. 268 or 221. The name and information on how to contact a nominee may be mailed to:

Don Frey
Centralia College
600 Centralia College Blvd.
Centralia, WA 98531