Commencement

Presentation of Honorary Degree in Memory of Matthew Grindy, Ph.D.

Honorary degree recipient Matthew Grindy’s family from left to right, board of trustees Chair, Dick Van Hollebeke, Matt’s brother Joshua Grindy, college president Jack Oharah, Matt’s father Scott Grindy and Matt’s mother Cindy Ronning.

Dick Van Hollebeke, Chair, Board of Trustees

For the first time since 1999, the college takes the unusual step at tonight’s commencement ceremony of awarding an honorary degree after learning of the outstanding accomplishments, under extraordinary circumstances, of a former student. By age 27, Matthew Grindy had earned a Ph.D. in philosophy and co-authored a book about civil rights while working as the debate coach at Florida State University.

Matthew began his higher education in the Running Start program at Edmonds Community College. He had earned 80 college-credits by the time of his graduation from Kamiak High School. Although he was 10-credits short of earning a transfer degree, Matthew’s time at our college certainly sped him on his way to a series of academic successes. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and a master’s degree from the University of Miami.
Matthew’s dream was to hold a doctorate — a dream that became a race against time after he was diagnosed with cancer. Matthew won. He was awarded his Ph.D. in a private commencement ceremony at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital a few days before his death on February 12, 2008.  

Matthew’s experience reminds me of Gandhi’s teaching — he encouraged all to “Learn as if we should live forever but live as if we would die tomorrow.” As Matthew’s accomplishments exemplify the spirit of Edmonds Community College, highly motivated leaders who greatly value education, it is fitting that he hold the official credential of our learning-community. It is with great honor that I award Matthew Grindy an honorary Associate of Arts degree from Edmonds Community College. We are proud that he chose to begin his higher education with us.