Landmark Homes recently celebrated the memory of Dr. Shirley B. Gordon by dedicating in her honor a nearly one-acre park at Landmarque – their new development in Des Moines. Dr. Gordon, who spearheaded the effort to establish Highline Community College, which opened in 1964, served as the school’s first president. She worked on the legislation that enabled and funded it. “It is fitting to name a park for our children in her name because she cared,” said David Gehrke, a longtime family friend and a business associate with Landmark Homes, in prepared remarks at the dedication. “She was a local education hero.” Dr. Gordon “lived here in Des Moines, she founded Highline Community College, she was on the board of Highline Medical Center, she was our neighbor,” Gehrke noted. “She was someone that valued education. She was someone who loved our children.” Born in 1922, Dr. Gordon received bachelors and masters degrees and her doctorate from Washington State University and later was given an honorary doctorate by Seattle University. “She was internationally renowned,” Gehrke added, and served on a presidential commission, national boards and commissions, and received numerous national awards. Dr. Gordon died at age 86 in 2008. Des Moines City Councilman Matt Pina and a number of Des Moines Police officers and South King Fire District firefighters attended the event.]]>

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2 replies on “Dr. Shirley B. Gordon Park dedicated in Des Moines”

  1. It is always great to see an occasional Council Member attending a worthy cause to celebrate someone memorable. We have here, a Council Member with inordinate promise for our community and we are proud to be sponsors of Matt Pina, who, one day ,will be our Mayor. Notice also, that he did not “hog” the photo opportunity!

  2. It is always great to see an occasional Council Member attending a worthy cause to celebrate someone memorable. We have here, a Council Member with inordinate promise for our community and we are proud to be sponsors of Matt Pina, who, one day ,will be our Mayor. Notice also, that he did not “hog” the photo opportunity!

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