2012 Graduation Guest Speaker

Rick Steves

The graduating students chose Rick Steves as this year's guest speaker. We are happy to announce that he has accepted the college's invitation.

An American author and television personality who focuses on European travel.  He is the host of the American Public Television series Rick Steves’ Europe, has a public radio travel show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored various location-specific travel guides. 

In 2006, Steves became a syndicated newspaper columnist with his Tribune Media Services column.  In 2010, he launched the mobile application Rick Steves’ Audio Europe, a library of audio content (including self-guided walking tours) organized into geographic-specific playlists for the iPhone and Android. 

He supports the decriminalization of marijuana among responsible adult users in the US.  He is currently on the Advisory Board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. 

He also supports issues of homelessness.  He purchased a 24-unit apartment complex in Lynnwood, WA to house homeless mothers and their children. 

He raises funds for the hunger advocacy group Bread for the World.  In 2011, he gave 1 million dollars to Edmonds Center for the Arts and Cascade Symphony Orchestra.  Steves is an Honorary Council member of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.