Rick Lawson of The War Experience Project and Retired Capt. Kathryn M. Hobbs to Speak at The Evergreen State College Tacoma Veterans Commemoration on November 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m November 9, 2010

In recognition of Veterans Day, The Evergreen State College Tacoma has invited two prestigious guests, Rick Lawson of The War Experience Project and Capt. Kathryn M. Hobbs, US Navy Captain Retired.

The Evergreen State College Tacoma campus is located at 1210 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98405

About Rick Lawson and The War Experience Project

Rick Lawson is a veteran, formerly a specialist in Iraq from 2004-05, who founded The War Experience Project. The War Experience Project uses the power of art to heal by inviting current and former military service members to paint a camouflage service uniform. By painting onto a uniform, the participants go through a positive and cathartic experience even with the most challenging memories. Once the uniform is completed, the pieces will be shown in exhibition throughout the world in an effort to allow participants to share experiences with others, without having to tell individual stories in words.

About Captain Kathryn M. Hobbs, United States Navy Retired

Veteran, Retired Captain Hobbs was one of the first women to complete Signalman ‘A’ School, and was the first Navy woman Alcohol and Drug Counselor stationed at a Navy Brig. She was the 1989 NROTC Instructor of the Year and was designated a doctoral candidate at the University of San Diego in Education/Leadership, with a project/dissertation emphasis in Organizational Systems and Design. She was also the Chief of Staff for COMFAIRMED and Navy Region Europe, with administrative oversight of the headquarters staff and all bases in the Mediterranean Area of Responsibility.
She has also been Chief of Naval Education and Training to be the lead responsible for strategy and planning and has held multiple positions of leadership in Operations, Strategy and Policy. In 2003, Captain Hobbs assumed duties as Commanding Officer, Naval Station Great Lakes, and Chief of Staff, Navy Region Midwest. She received from her Alma Mater, Columbia College, Alumni of the Year. In August 2005, she transferred to the Pentagon, to serve as Executive Assistant, Director, Material Readiness and Logistics. In 2007, CAPT Hobbs served as the Dean of Students at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey CA. She received the First Command Award for Outstanding Leadership voted upon by the Student Body Graduating Class.
Captain Hobbs has been awarded five Legion of Merit Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, and two Navy Unit Commendation Medals, among numerous other awards and ribbons. She is happily married to David R. Peoples, a civilian. Captain Hobbs retired from active naval service on 1 May 2009 after 36 years of service.