Pat and Harold Warren’s story is a shining example of the connections and opportunities made possible through Grays Harbor College. Harold graduated in 1953 and Pat in 1954, and it was during their time at GHC that their paths first crossed. Pat organized pep rallies for football and basketball games, which she scheduled through Harold, the Student Body Vice President. Both were active on the forensics squad, where the late A.J. Hillier, a passionate historian, inspired Pat’s lifelong love for history. “A.J. wanted us to love and appreciate history,” she recalls. “He sparked something in me that has stayed with me all my life.”
After leaving GHC, Harold attended College of Puget Sound (now University of Puget Sound) earning a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration, while Pat became a homemaker. Her academic journey wasn’t over, however; she later returned to school and became the first graduate of Washington State University’s extension program in Grays Harbor County, earning a bachelor’s degree in history. Their connection to GHC grew even deeper as all three of their children went on to graduate from the college.
Harold’s commitment to GHC has spanned decades. A member of the GHC Foundation Board since 1990, Harold has played a key role in supporting the college’s mission and its students. He and Pat have also been generous donors, funding a book endowment to help reduce the financial burden of textbooks for students. “When we attended, tuition was just $25 a quarter, but books were still expensive,” Harold explains. “We wanted to make things a little easier for today’s students.”
Even in retirement, Pat and Harold’s connection to GHC continued. Harold returned to campus to take math classes, challenging himself with algebra and trigonometry, though calculus remained elusive. Pat volunteered 19 years as an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor, a role she found deeply meaningful. “Next to being a mom, tutoring ESL students was the most rewarding experience of my life,” she shares. Her work was inspired by her own family’s immigrant roots. “I remember what it took for my family to settle here. Helping others adapt and thrive was my way of giving back.”
The Warrens’ legacy is one of generosity, service, and a deep belief in the power of education. As Harold puts it, “Grays Harbor College is a great place to start—and now even finish—with a bachelor’s degree. It’s an opportunity to get to know something, know somebody, and know yourself.”
Pat and Harold Warren’s enduring contributions have left an indelible mark on GHC and the community, inspiring future generations of students to learn, grow, and give back.
