On Tuesday, October 27, a large crowd attended a unique “True Crime Listening Event,” hosted by the Highline College Foundation at the newly remodeled historic Des Moines Theater.
The event was the first installment in the Command Performance Series, held to honor the memory of Dr. Ed Command, who served as Highline College president from 1990–2000 and whose vision was to connect the community to the college.
“Dr. Command left a legacy gift to assist students in pursuing their education. By naming the series after him, it gives us the opportunity to talk to our community about ways they can get involved in supporting Highline students and throughout our community,” said Josh Gerstman, vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of Highline College Foundation.
“There’s word play in naming the new speaker program the Command Performance Series. It both honors Dr. Ed Command and adds a distinguishing characteristic to the type of programs we will offer over the next few years,” Gerstman added.
Each installment of the quarterly series will focus on a different topic, with Tuesday’s performance showcasing shared stories connected to the Green River Killer case and led by Carolyn Ossorio, writer and podcaster of “The Shadow Girls”. Ossorio is a Highline College alumna, having attended Highline in the mid-1990s.
Guests also heard from noted criminal attorney Anne Bremner, along with retired King County Sheriff Dave Reichert and King County Detective Tom Jensen, as they discussed the investigation and the lasting impacts that systemic neglect and dismissal of survivors can have on victims, families, and communities.
In recognition of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, tickets supported the Highline College Foundation and its partner organizations that support families in the community who have experienced — or are experiencing — domestic violence.