Highline Community College honors Ezra Teshome

News Release
June 2, 2006

Through the service organization Rotary International, Teshome, 54, has spent nearly a decade leading volunteer teams to Ethiopia to help immunize children against polio, a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and sometimes death. This past October, Teshome and his 35-member team were part of the national immunization campaign that reached 16 million children. His dedication to the polio eradication effort led “Time” magazine to honor him last November as one of 10 global health heroes at the Time Global Health Summit, which pulls together public health experts and policy setters to address the world’s critical health issues.

“Ezra is a man of deeds and few words. He is also a modest man who has determination and perseverance in achieving his goals: goals that include the well being of many, many people,” says Davidson Dodd, who has been teaching at Highline for 36 years and had Teshome in one of his political science courses in the early 1970s.

Teshome’s work on the polio effort began back in 1997 when he was serving as president of the Rotary Club of University District, where he has been a member since 1984. That year he represented his club at Rotary International’s peace conference in his native Ethiopia.

“That trip opened my eyes to the impact of polio,” says Teshome. “I made a commitment to actively participate in Rotary’s PolioPlus program, so no child will have to suffer for lack of two drops of the vaccine.”

Teshome emigrated from Ethiopia in 1971 after graduating high school in Addis Ababa. Knowing several Ethiopian students who had been admitted to Highline, Teshome enrolled at the college shortly after coming to the United States.

“We often had parties where we invited all our friends and shared our exciting experiences, culture, religion and more. That improved my appreciation of community and my understanding and valuing of other cultures. In my view, the foundation of my values began at Highline,” says Teshome, a 1973 graduate.

After graduating from Highline, he went on to Seattle University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law. He had wanted to continue his education in international law, but with money being tight, he went to work for State Farm Insurance. In 1982, Teshome opened his own State Farm agency, specializing in estate planning and apartment and commercial insurance from his Capitol Hill office.

“I’ve enjoyed the job, as it involves being there in times of need and fulfilling the promise,” he says.

He attributes his desire to be involved to his parents, who still live in Ethiopia.

“Growing up in Ethiopia, my parents were looking out for us and the entire village. That spirit has been with me, and I continue to be involved and give back to this wonderful community that has given me and my family so much.”

Polio eradication is just one of the many causes he is actively involved in.

In 2004–05, he was one of the leaders of a comprehensive plan to bring safe water to the most critical areas of Ethiopia. Through his efforts—and those of his fellow Rotarians—more than $300,000 was raised to implement clean water projects in 17 villages benefiting more than 45,000 residents of rural Ethiopia. Waterborne diseases kill thousands of Ethiopians each year.

Other humanitarian projects include arranging delivery of ambulances to his home country, providing low-cost housing for the poor and establishing micro-credit programs to help families become self-sufficient.

“As a student, Ezra was concerned about the human condition, and how he could help to improve it,” says Dodd. “He wasn’t grandiose about his commitment. He was simply appreciative of his good fortune and hoped that others could have the opportunities he had been blessed with.

“What is so impressive about Ezra is how positive he has stayed, and how active he continues to be. He is fueled by energy, compassion, and I believe a strong religious faith.”

Ezra administering polio vaccine in Ethiopia

Ezra talking with Davidson Dodd at the 1973 graduation

A resident of Seattle’s Leschi neighborhood, Teshome helped raise money and lead efforts to build St. Gebriel Church of Ethiopians in Seattle, the first of its kind in the United States. It was designed exclusively by Ethiopian architects and engineers and opened in 2001 to serve the greater Seattle area’s growing Ethiopian community. Teshome and his wife Yobi, also from Ethiopia, contributed to the population growth with their four children: daughters Selome, 26, Hewan, 23, Sophia, 21, and son Zach, 18.

“Ezra is a thoughtful, reflective, kind man, who enjoys people,” says Dodd. “He has a deep connection to his family, as well as his friends.”

Started in 1990, the Distinguished Alumni Award honors former Highline students who have made significant contributions through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership. Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, who attended Highline in 1968–69, was the first recipient of the award. Last year’s winners were Larry Blackstock, a local television industry veteran, and Maurice Sabado, a science and technology pioneer.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes.

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Highline Community College
June 1, 2006
Contact: Lisa Skari, (206) 878-3710, ext. 3705
Rod Stephenson, (206) 878-3710, ext. 3696