Wendy Bohlke - 2014
Wendy Bohlke worked for the Washington State Office of Attorney General for 34 years prior to her retirement in June 2013, serving under five elected Attorneys General. For 30 of those years, Wendy was counsel to Western Washington University; she also served as counsel to two community colleges for over ten years, Skagit Valley and Whatcom. She earned a B.A. from the University of Washington and a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law.
A NACUA member since 1983, Wendy served on numerous committees during those years, and served as an at-large member of the Board of Directors from 1999 – 2002. Her meeting and conference participation, including serving as a speaker and moderator on numerous occasions, reflect Wendy's continuous devotion to NACUA volunteer service over the past three decades.
In addition to her extensive NACUA service, Wendy served as President of the Whatcom County Bar Association, is a Life Member of the Law Fund Board, and has been in leadership in community organizations including Mount Baker Planned Parenthood, Mount Baker Theater, Whatcom 4-H Council, and Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship. She and her husband Brian Hansen have lived in Bellingham, Washington since 1984 and are the parents of two sons, Nels and Jon. Nels is an attorney with Skadden Arps in Tokyo where he lives with his wife, Sayuri, and son, Lyle. Jon, his wife Rita, and daughter Adelia live in Seattle where Jon is a composer and tubist. Wendy and Brian are avid members of the Bellingham Ukulele Orchestra, performing at fundraisers, assisted living facilities and other events in Northwest Washington. Brian retires from legal practice July 2014.
One of Wendy's NACUA colleagues said, "It's hard to imagine NACUA without Wendy Bohlke. Who will lead us in ukulele sing-alongs? Who will always have the right joke or the insightful wisdom at just the right time? Who will know the best local gardens in each NACUA conference location?"
NACUA is pleased to recognize Wendy Bohlke as a Life Member of the Association in recognition of her outstanding service and her sustained and substantial contributions to NACUA and the field of higher education law.