DES MOINES, Wash. — Dr. Jack Bermingham, president of Highline College, was recently honored by Mayor Zhu Minyang of Yangzhou, China as a 2015 Distinguished City Guest. Mayor Minyang’s presentation to Bermingham was shown on Yangzhou television news.

President Bermingham was one of 13 recipients this year, and was the only foreign honoree. He will be a guest of honor during the city’s 2500th Anniversary Celebration this fall. Yangzhou, a city of about five million, in Jiangsu Province is a sister city of Kent.

“This special recognition from Yangzhou reflects the exceptional work of some Highline faculty and staff in supporting this partnership,” President Bermingham said. “This award honors the good work by both Yangzhou and Highline in developing strong people to people relationships across borders that hopefully improve understanding between our two countries.”

Bermingham and Highline College were recognized for the outstanding training of Yangzhou Foreign Affairs Office translators and other city officials. Mayor Minyang also acknowledged the college’s commitment to creating higher education partnerships, and Bermingham’s leadership and contributions to the city's success.

Highline College has developed a strong partnership with Yangzhou since 1998. The college hosts exchange programs for Yangzhou Polytechnic University students and faculty, and they share a dual degree program in Hotel Hospitality Management.

Under Bermingham’s guidance, Highline has come to embrace diversity and globalism as institutional values. Bermingham has been at Highline since 1994 and served as president since 2006.