Building named for BBCC supporter

MOSES LAKE - Longtime Big Bend Community College supporters Paul and Ginny Hirai will be honored during a ceremony at 3 p.m. on April 1 naming the college's fine arts building for Paul Hirai.

College trustees approved naming the building for Paul Hirai in 2012, in recognition of more than 46 years of service to the college. The 2008 building is the college's newest state-funded facility.

"For more than four decades, Hirai has nurtured donors and friends of the college and given generously to support BBCC and its students," said Doug Sly, the college's public relations director. "He continues to work at every fundraiser, attend each special event and witness every commencement for BBCC students."

Paul Hirai served for 15 years on the college's board of trustees and was board chair for four years. He spent more than 30 years on the BBCC Foundation board, and was board chair six times.

He has been very active in the college's Japanese Agriculture Training Program (JATP), and has been hosting JATP students since 1967, Sly said.

Paul and Ginny Hirai are longtime volunteers in the community.

Paul Hirai has been decorated by the Emperor of Japan for his efforts for the JATP program, the sister city program with Yonezawa, Japan and his work with the Japan Air Lines training facility in Moses Lake.