Renton Technical College presidential assistant retires

Published 10:50 am Thursday, July 8, 2010

The Renton Technical College president’s assistant is retiring this year after 32 years in Renton public schools.

Karen DeBruyn established an RTC baking scholarship in honor of her father, Frank E. Wright, who was a baker all of his life.

“The main purpose of this scholarship is for students to be able to finish the program,” DeBruyn said. “It is not always about the grades, but meeting the needs of struggling families so students can stay in school and finish.”

Getting her start in 1978 as a substitute teacher at Dimmitt Middle School, she left the Renton School District as the Hazen High School principal’s secretary. She was hired at RTC in 1991.

At RTC, DeBruyn has worked for three presidents, including the college’s newest president, Steve Hanson.