The Great PNW Founder and SFCC alum Joel Barbour addresses Spokane Colleges faculty and staff

“Education ripples outward to affect the whole community,” said Chancellor Kevin Brockbank in opening Spokane Colleges’ 2025 convocation, which this year carried the theme of “reinvesting in our communities.”

In a break with previous tradition, this year’s speakers were all Spokane Colleges alumni, each of whom shared stories that illustrated exactly how Spokane Colleges’ work ripples outward, changing the lives of students and shaping our region.

SFCC alum Gaye Hallman spoke to the assembled community of staff and faculty about her journey from studying business to a passion for graphic design. Gaye’s multifaceted work now stretches from graphic design and poetry to founding and directing “A Woman’s Worth,” an organization that helps others find a similar path to success that Gaye has found.

Adam Hegsted is a 2000 graduate of SCC’s Culinary Arts program and has found success with multiple restaurants, breweries, and media enterprises in the Inland Northwest. But in his address he pointed out that his journey was sprinkled with setbacks that helped shape the journey and offered learning opportunities. Now as a luminary of the Spokane restaurant scene, he is convinced that “without the SCC Culinary Arts program, we wouldn’t have the explosion of great restaurants we’re seeing today in Spokane.

SFCC Graphic Design graduate Joel Barbour brought tears and laughter to the room. “As you can see, I cry easily. . . Because what you do as Spokane Colleges matters.” Ultimately studying graphic design and going on to found the Great PNW clothing company as well as other successful ventures, Joel reminded the audience that not having it all figured out is part of the journey. “I went to school for a year not knowing what I wanted to do.”

Today, Joel uses the principles of design he learned at SFCC to design a balanced life. “You can create something, but you need that family around you. . . As Spokane Colleges, you do that.”

Sadie Lake, who graduated from SFCC's interior design program, emphasized that raw talent is not required for success. “Unlike Joel, I was not necessarily the best designer,” said Sadie. “I had ideas, but I needed more than that to build a business—I needed technical skills,” which she found at SFCC. Having previously earned a bachelor’s degree, she acknowledged, “I was nowhere near as prepared coming out of my BA as I was coming out of Spokane Falls Community College.”

Closing the session, Chancellor Brockbank set a tone of determination and strength in the face of a wider world presenting significant challenges. “Our role in this community is clear, and we will continue to fill that role,” he said. “Let’s make it a year we produce more Joels, Adams, Sadies, and Gayes.”