Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard has posted a new blog entry titled "Stop using my taxpayer dollars to support an activity that is insulting, offensive, and errant."

Read the latest blog entry on Bruce's Web site at http://www.wwu.edu/president/blog/posts/8.shtml.

As I grew up, I dreamt of being many things, including an astronaut. I was fortunate to attend schools (in Minnesota) that encouraged, challenged and prepared me for success in college, work and beyond, and in 1978 realized my childhood dream, eventually flying on three NASA space missions. When I retired from NASA, I chose to dedicate myself to improving the education system. Schools should help each student obtain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to stay in school and pursue whatever path they might choose after high school graduation, be it an astronaut or auto technician.

For Madeline Corrado-Din and Trina Griffis, the debate over higher education funding in the Washington Legislature is far from academic. Madeline is the first in her family to attend college. Trina is a single mom, balancing parenthood, work and school. Both came to The Evergreen State College to earn a bachelor’s degree so they can compete for higher-paying jobs today and in the future and give something back to their state and their community. For them, access to a baccalaureate education is critical. But that access is at risk.