Gay Selby and Al Bauer,
retired Washington state legislator,
at WSU Vancouvers 25th Anniversary
Celebration Dinner last November.
Photo: Laura Evancich
A Historic Career
Gay Selby, program coordinator for
when did you attend washington state university?
the Educational Leadership program,
I earned my doctorate in educational leadership
associate clinical professor of education
at Washington State University Vancouver
and a faculty member in the statewide
from WSU Pullman in 1980. I was the only
woman in the program at that time.
When and where did you start teaching?
I started teaching in Washington in the fall
superintendent certification program,
of 1964. I spent 10 years in Kennewick, first as a
has been a Washington state educator
seventh-grade teacher at Highlands Junior High
for 50 years. A WSU alumna, she played
a major role in the establishment
of WSU Vancouver.
Selby was born and raised in a small town
in western Montana and earned her
bachelors and masters degrees from
Montana State University before becoming
part of Washington state history.
School for six years, then as the athletic director
and assistant principal at Kamiakin High School,
which was brand-new at the time. According
to the Washington Interscholastic Activities
Association, I was the first woman athletic
director in the state.
as assistant superintendent for three years. While
I was there, the community passed what was
then the largest bond issue in the state to build
new schools. We built 14 elementary schools and
remodeled a high school. Then the administration
building burned down, so, while the new one
was built, I worked for a year in the basement of
Lewis and Clark High School. On top of that, the
district had a month-long teachers strike.
What brought you to Southwest Washington?
I wanted to live on the west side of the state.
I am a huge sports fan, especially baseball and
football, and I wanted to be closer to the Seattle
area. I also enjoy the arts and wanted to be
able to attend events in Portland and Seattle.
What other firsts have you seen in your career?
I spent three years (1974 1977) as principal
at Pullman High School. I was one of just two
women high school principals in the state.
In 1977, I joined the Spokane School District
The short distance to the beach was appealing
too. Of course, the deciding factor was a career
opportunity. I was fortunate to find a job as
assistant, and later superintendent of the
Kelso School District.
vanc o u v e r . ws u . e d u | NWC r i mson &G r ay | 1 7
photo: A.J. meeker
How did you get involved with the
start of WSU Vancouver?
I was very concerned about access to
higher educationespecially four-year
opportunitiesfor our students in Kelso.
When I heard about the proposal for
urban branch campuses of WSU, including
one in Southwest Washington, I became
active in the effort. I was also president
of the Kelso Chamber of Commerce, so
I was wearing two hats: as an educator
and a community member.
As a result of my activism, I was
appointed to the Higher Education
Coordinating Board. In fact, I was
appointed three times, by three different
governors! I served as vice chair for 12
years (1992 2004.) During that time,
I chaired several search committees,
including one that led to recommending
Elson S. Floyd as executive director.
How else were you involved in the origins
of WSU Vancouver?
Sam Smith, WSUs president at the
time, appointed me to the site selection
and recommendation committee. We
toured every one of the sites that had
been nominated through a proposal
process. When we saw and toured the
Salmon Creek site, we knew we had
found the right location for a new campus.
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I taught at WSU Vancouver when
classes were in Bauer Hall on the Clark
College campus. Bill Fromhold, past
1989 I received two First Citizen awards,
from Kelso and from Cowlitz County.
Im also happy to have helped bring
Washington state legislator, was super-
highly qualified people to positions
intendent of ESD 112, and we were
around the state. When I directed the
going to team teach school finance. But
Superintendent Search Service for the
something came up with Bill, and he was
Washington State School Directors
not able to be my teammate, so I taught
Association, we completed more than
the class on my own.
200 searches for school districts. And I
I had many discussions about the
chaired the search committee for the
campus with Hal Dengerink, WSU
second chancellor of WSU Vancouver
Vancouvers first chancellor, and when
I knew how important it was to find just
the Advisory Council was formed, I was
the right person to succeed our beloved
the first chair. I was the first recipient
first chancellor.
of what is now the Chancellors Award
In 2014, I received one of three
for Service to WSU Vancouver. When I
H.E.R.O.E.S. (Heart, Excellence, Resiliency,
retired as superintendent of schools at
Optimism, Enthusiasm and Soul) Awards
Kelso, it seemed the right thing to do to
from the WSU College of Education. I
transition to teaching other teacher-
have been a football season-ticket holder
leaders at WSU Vancouver.
since 1976 (39 years) and a contributor
Tell us about some of the other
highlights of your life.
I have been blessed with a storybook
career and life. For example, I was Washington State Superintendent of the Year
in 1992, and received a WSU Alumni
Achievement Award in 1995. From what
for 36 years to the WSU Foundation
21 as a Presidents Associate. And just
this year, I reached the Heritage Society
giving level for cumulative donations
to WSU.
What makes you proudest?
More than 200 alumni from WSU
I have been told, I was the first woman
Vancouvers principal program now hold
superintendent of a first-class school
leadership roles in Southwest Washington
district (thats one with more than 2,000
and elsewhere. That makes it all
students) in Washington state. And in
worthwhile.
