Oregon Rep. Reschke to speak at 2019 KCC commencement ceremony

Image, Klamathcc.edu

Oregon Representative, E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls)

Klamath Falls, Ore. – Klamath Community College is pleased to announce that Oregon State Representative E. Werner Reschke will be the keynote speaker at the college’s 2019 commencement ceremony, which will take place on June 14, at 6 p.m. at the KCC campus.

Reschke is a lifelong Oregonian who serves in the Oregon Legislature, representing southern Klamath and Lake counties.

“Rep. Reschke is an advocate of higher education in Salem and is becoming known as a lawmaker who puts his politics aside to support legislation that benefits our region,” said KCC President Dr. Roberto Gutierrez. “His efforts at the capitol are making a difference in our community.”

During his time in the legislature, Reschke has supported a number of bills that benefit Oregon community colleges, including sponsoring a bill that would change the matching formula for capital projects at community colleges in Oregon. The bill proposes to lessen the amount community college must raise to “match” certain grant awards. According to Gutierrez, projects, such as KCC’s proposed Apprenticeship and Trades Center and Fire Academy, could benefit from reduced match requirements.

“KCC and other rural community colleges do not have the same financial resources colleges in urban areas have. Reducing the amount required to receive construction grants will make large-scale projects more feasible for colleges with limited external funding,” Gutierrez said. “We are grateful for Rep. Reschke’s relentless work to change the law. ”

As a state representative, Reschke has also secured funding for capital construction projects and operating budgets at Klamath Community College, Oregon Tech and Klamath Youth Inspiration Program facility of Klamath County Juvenile Department. He advocates for excellence in education, fiscal responsibility and pro-growth business policies that work in harmony with the environment.

Reschke was elected to the Oregon State House in 2016 and was reelected in 2018. Reschke currently serves on four committees in the Oregon House of Representatives: Revenue, Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures, Education and Vice Chair of Energy and Environment. In his previous term, Reschke served on the Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction and the Committee on Higher Education.

Prior to his current position in the state legislature, he owned a technical online marketing agency for 18 years. His background includes management and marketing for three Fortune 500 companies: Xerox, Tektronix and Georgia-Pacific. Locally, he served multiple years on the board of directors for the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, including the award of Business Member of the Year.

Reschke earned cum laude honors from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with an emphasis in international business and marketing, and minors in economics and German. He lives in Klamath County with his wife, Gin, and the couple has a son serving as crew chief in the United States Air Force.