Dr. Cheryl Simrell King was a living example of one of her favorite poems by Marge Piercy:

“The people I love the best

jump into work head first

without dallying in the shallows

and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.”

She worked hard, fought strong, and laughed loud. Cheryl’s exemplary career in public administration spanned multiple decades. We were blessed to benefit from this brilliant theorist, leader, and teacher.  

Her principles and ethics of design thinking helped build our MPA program at The Evergreen State College. Just as she drove her rig across this country many times, Cheryl was the driver who compelled our program and the field of public administration to be transformational. She drove us to see “us” in governing. Cheryl, thank you for a job well done.

May long walks, good chats, and happy dogs always make us smile as we remember you.