SCC President Roberts presents Ken Noreen with President's Award for Distinguished Service

President Cheryl Roberts honors Ken Noreen
Photo by Pearl Noreen

SCC President Cheryl Roberts’ Commencement Remarks about Ken Noreen

Commencement ceremonies have a long tradition of using music to help formally mark this occasion. Music helps us celebrate this important milestone! 

The “Pomp and Circumstance” processional music you heard as the ceremony began is something we immediately associate with commencement exercises. 

And we are so lucky to have the talented Shoreline Concert Band here today to uphold that important tradition.

Our Concert Band is made up of both students and area community members, and is directed by Ken Noreen.

Ken has served as an associate professor and concert band director at Shoreline for the last 23 years! And, this is his final Commencement directing Shoreline’s Concert Band.

Ken began his start as a teacher in the Shoreline School District, and dedicated 24 years as the band director at Shorecrest High School. He is a beloved educator, talented musician, and is very well-known all around Shoreline.

He wisely once said, “A note is just a note, until a musician breathes some of their life into it. The more life experience a musician has, the more they have to put into the music.”

And Ken certainly has earned a wealth of life experience. In addition to his long teaching career, Ken has been an active advocate for the arts.

Ken has also served on the Shoreline Community College Foundation Board of Directors for many years, including serving as past President and currently as Secretary. He and his wife Pearl were also recipients of the Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award. You know we couldn’t honor and celebrate you without your wonderful wife at your side!

It is for all of these reasons that I present the President’s Award for Distinguished Service to Ken Noreen.

Ken, on behalf of the College and the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank you for your many years of dedication to Shoreline Community College and to the students you have helped to grow and learn. 

Please accept this award as our symbol of our deep gratitude and care for you. You have been such a gift to all of us! With a heart full of appreciation! Thank you!