From left: Foley Institute Director Cornell Clayton, Secretary of State Kim Wyman, former WSU President Sam Smith, WSU-Vancouver Professor Carolyn Long, former Secretary of State Sam Reed and former Secretary of State Ralph Munro.

Three WA secretaries of state, current Secretary Kim Wyman and her predecessors Ralph Munro and Sam Reed, joined in ceremonies to announce Carolyn Long as the inaugural Sam Reed Distinguished Professorship in Civic Education and Public Civility.

The Washington State University-Vancouver political science professor has a long history in the field of civics and promoting civility. She will use the professorship to expand the work of her Initiative for Public Deliberation, currently working in Southwest Washington to help opposing groups with collaborative problem-solving.

The professorship was endowed by donors as a way to honor Reed’s 45 years in public service. He was Secretary for 12 years before retiring in January 2013. He was president of the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Reed said Long is a gifted teacher and scholar who is an inspired  choice as the first Reed Professor.

Long was also praised by Cornell Clayton, Long’s mentor and head of the Foley Institute at Washington State University.  The professorship is a perfect fit for Long, and creative and practical results are bound to come, he said. The professorship program will be housed at the Institute.

Long and the Reed Professorship were hailed by former WSU President Sam Smith and retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander.

Munro and Reed lead the gathering in singing “Happy Birthday” to Long’s daughter, Tennyson.

Long had another fan along: her daughter, Tennyson, who celebrated her 11th birthday by traveling to Olympia for the ceremony. Munro and Reed led in a rousing “Happy Birthday.”