Katherine Boyd, A.A.S., 1990

Principal, Hunt Middle School
Nominated by Mary Kay Brown, early childhood education instructor, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom

Katherine Boyd, principal of Hunt Middle School in Tacoma, was the first of 11 siblings to earn a college degree. Her experience working with families and children, led her to enter the early childhood education program at Pierce College.

Boyd completed her bachelor's degree at Pacific Lutheran University earning certification in education and special education. She earned a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from City University and her public school administrative credentials from the University of Puget Sound.

When asked about personal triumphs, Boyd says, “my life is cotton sack to Cadillac.” She says that her in her grade school years, her formal school training was achieved on rainy days because farm children had to work in the fields when the sun was shining. Friends would bring homework to the homes of the working children so they could keep up with schoolwork.

“Kathy Boyd is truly an outstanding alumna of Pierce College,” says Mary Kay Brown.

Johan Dupuis-Lund, A.A. Software Engineering Programming, 1993

Regional Manager, LANDesk Software
Nominated by Dan Russ, dean of institutional technology, Pierce College District

Johan Dupuis-Lund immigrated to the United States in 1990. When he arrived, he did not read or speak English fluently. Pierce College helped him to achieve a basic life skill in America - language fluency - while also providing him with a solid foundation for earning his bachelor's at Linfield College.

“Pierce College provided me with an excellent education,” says Dupuis-Lund. “My instructors at Pierce were all highly skilled. They all cared and did their best, making sure each student was able to learn and apply the concepts we studied.”

Dupuis-Lund always wants to live up to his mother's words: “you can do anything you put your mind to.” He says his greatest personal triumphs were graduating from Pierce College and passing the U.S. Citizenship test in 2001.

Coming to the US with only a few hundred dollars in his pocket and few job opportunities, he is grateful to have developed into an executive leader and community contributor. Through discipline, hard work, and educational opportunities initiated at – he believes he has validated the wise words of his mother.

John Haugh, A.A.S., 1999

Social Worker, Children & Family Services
Nominated by Bjorn Benson, Assistive Technology Coordinator, Disability Support Services, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Victoria Mayorga, foreign language instructor, Pierce College Puyallup

“Whenever I think of an extraordinary alumnus or alumna, I remember the inspiration that John Haugh left us at Pierce College,” says Victoria Mayorga. “His integrity, dedication to success, and a great sense of humor were a gift to me and to the students he met.”

Haugh, a social worker for Children and Family Services, has overcome much adversity, including a football accident that left him partially paralyzed. This accident confined him in body only. After graduating from Pierce College, he earned a bachelor's in social work from Pacific Lutheran University and a master's degree in social work at the University of Washington Tacoma.

Haugh credits Pierce College as a great place to begin his academic career. “Pierce was the perfect place with the perfect people,” Haugh says. “When I transferred to a four-year university, I was prepared and confident. Pierce College was a wonderful learning environment, and an overall great experience.”

Active in community and volunteer organizations, including child advocacy groups, Haugh is an asset to his community.

“I am hard-pressed to think of another person who can match John's generosity of spirit, good humor and intelligence,” says Bjorn Benson. “It has been a privilege to know him.”